2021 for Juliana Grace!

 What a year it has been. I truly can't even put into words what this year has meant. There has been some sadness, disappointments, and grief.. but there has also been a lot of growth, accomplishment, and joy. I love looking back at what the last year has brought and I can't wait for what 2022 will hold!

Let's get into this.

The Best White Graduation Dresses

 Hey y'all! I am officially a COLLEGE GRADUATE!!! What?!?! I walk across the stage tomorrow morning and I can't wait. Your gal is about to be a real adult now, ha. 

I absolutely loved finding the perfect white graduation dress for my photos and graduation and couldn't help but give some of y'all great ideas as well. These would also be beautiful for bridal showers and rehearsal dinners for brides! These white dresses range in price point, but there is truly something for everyone.

2020 for Juliana Grace!

 I have been writing these posts for years now, and I can truly say this one is the hardest to write. 2020 has been a hard year for so many. I know so many people had it worse than I did and I am thankful that through this year I have been healthy and safe. 

This year I lost a job I loved, gained weight, and missed out on exciting plans I had scheduled. I refuse however to focus on the negative, and am instead excited to recap the joy this strange year has brought me. I do hope each of you know though that you aren't alone and I am always available to talk. DM me on Instagram, comment on this blog post, or email me (jgraceblog@gmail.com) with any way I can pray for you or support you.

Now... let's get into my 2020!

Spontaneous Miscellaneous

 Happy Wednesday friends! I am so excited to share some of my favorite recent finds with y'all. I am sharing some awesome Amazon finds, recent favorite shows, etc... 

I first wanted to share a small life update. This semester I started my student teaching and it has been so wonderful so far. I love my supervising teacher and the students we work with. 

About two weeks ago, I was laid off from my job teaching English online to Chinese students. The Chinese government now requires anyone who teaches English for a Chinese company to hold a bachelors degree. Since I am still a semester away from graduating, I was cut. I was gutted and couldn't believe it. I also experienced a lot of stress and anxiety because it threw off my plans for the future.

I am very thankful however, that I have been able to find a job as a substitute teacher in the county I intern in. God is so faithful and has better plans than I do, so even though I am taking a large pay cut, I know He is so good. 

I know this time is very uncertain and stressful for a lot of people so I just want to encourage you to bring your anxieties to God. He is not shocked by what is going on and can provide comfort and peace during very unpeaceful times.

Now... Let's dive right in to some recent favorites!

Back to School with Vera Bradley x Crocs

 It is a happy Tuesday everyone because I got to meet my supervising teacher today for my student teaching! God truly answers prayers because she has so many qualities I had been praying about for months! I can not wait to get started next week. It is also a happy Tuesday because Vera Bradley has released a collaboration with Crocs today that is just so fun. 

I am so thankful to have received a pair last week and they are every bit as comfy as they are cute! 

Lilly Pulitzer Keychains | WowSoZen Coupon Code

Happy Monday everyone! I am tucked under a blanket and ready to watch The Bachelor. Are y'all watching this season? I can't say it is my favorite season but I am curious about how it will end.

Have y'all seen my Instagram post about these cute key-chains that hold your lipstick, chapstick. or lipgloss? I am obsessed with them. I put them on my keys and my mom and sister did so too!

You can get a three pack of them for just $8.99 with free shipping! PLUS, you can take an additional 10% off with my coupon code GRACE10! Yay!!

They make for such cute Galentines gifts for friends or family!

The Pros & Cons of Community College

Welcome everyone to my blog and happy Wednesday. I am so excited for this post because it is one I have been pondering and thinking of writing for the last two years while I have attended a community college.

Background on Me / What School I Went To

I first want to share my story/ background so you know where I am coming from and what college specifically I am referring to.

Sophomore Year Ending + What is Next For Me

Happy Monday y'all. It is a happy Monday indeed, because I took my last final today of my sophomore year and completed my A.A. Degree! 

This is such an exciting time as I make the transfer from the state school I was at for two years to The University of Central Florida! I have grown up about 5 minutes from the second largest university and am thrilled to finally be a student. 

2018 for Juliana Grace & My New Years Resolutions

Happy 2019! That is going to feel so weird for so long. I always feel like the odd numbered years take longer to adjust too. Is that just me?

I love writing these posts, for myself to look back on as a form of digital scrapbook. Every year I enjoy sharing my favorite memories, outfits, movies, and books from the year. I also included my word of the year and New Years Resolutions. Let's dive it!

Florida School Shooting

Hi everyone. I am sorry for the absence on my blog and social media since Wednesday. As you can imagine, myself, like many others, were deeply distraught at the news of the 17 high school students shot and killed by a former student in a Parkland Florida Public School. As a future teacher and someone who values the privilege we have to acquire an education in what should be a safe environment, I was very sad to see the videos and articles of students recalling the events of the horrific day.

Regardless of if you want to blame this tragedy on mental health or gun control, and regardless of which side of the political isle you fall, we can agree there needs to be a change. 18 school shootings in 24 days is NOT okay. Do we need to get strict on gun control? Do we need to be better about recognizing mental health concerns? Does the media need to stop portraying violent acts in video games and TV shows that desensitize people and lower our value of human life? Maybe a great start would be the FBI taking tips about individuals with potential to do this harm seriously. 

I don't know the exact answer but if doing one or all of those things would keep SEVENTEEN innocent children from being killed, don't you think it is worth considering. Take your political values out of it and throw away your pride people, we need a change. 

I love the way Megyn Kelly on the TODAY show spoke about the shooting. 

More than anything, this country needs love. The greatest love I have ever known is the love of Jesus. Prayer results in change. Don't say you will pray. PRAY.

I will resume with regular blog posts next week but I wanted those of you who maybe haven't researched this event or seen much news coverage to get a real sense of what these victims are experiencing and spend time in prayer for them and their families. 

God Bless

Why I Changed My Major | Special Education

Happy Monday y'all! I am so excited to finally get a post up sharing some big news and life changes!

A few weeks ago you saw on my Instagram stories that I had changed my major to Exceptional Student Education (also known as Special Education) and I was so excited. I have been meaning to write an entire post about it, but have been struggling with how to put it into words.

To a lot of people this change seemed out of the blue. Friends of mine were rather shocked and surprised at how quick I changed my whole life around, but it was something that was stirring in my heart for a long time. 

I will admit that about a year ago, I (sadly) didn't give much thought at all to kids or individuals with special needs. It simply wasn't a part of my daily life and didn't concern me at the moment. As selfish as that seems, I had a lot going on and it simply wasn't my passion at the time. However, the summer after I graduated high school, I read the book "The Lucky Few" by Heather Avis after my mom recommended it to me. It was a quick read about her families Down Syndrome adoptions. Her dedication to shouting the worth of her kids struck a chord and I found myself watching videos of her sweet kids on Instagram in my spare time. I believe this was when God started softening my heart towards kids with special needs.

I started following other families who adopted kids with special needs and I became so passionate about standing up for them. Suddenly, these kids were all I could think about. I work with a few individuals at my part time job who have special needs and I realized how much they really brighten my day (even if they do comment on the fact that I need to wash my hair.. LOL).

One day I was at work when a customer came in with his daughter who had autism, I looked her in the eye and asked her how she was, like I would every customer. She grabbed me by the hand and smiled and in that moment, I knew God was working on my heart and big changes were coming, whether I liked them or not.

I started really enjoying my psychology class and units in my education courses on students with exceptionalities. My professor even spoke to me individually about being a special education teacher and suggested I do some of my intern hours in a special ed class.

I set up about three different dates with three different special ed teachers and was planning on visiting all three before making any big changes. I was at the time an Elementary Education major and although I definitely had developed a soft spot for kids with special needs, it still slightly terrified me. Some of them are loud or have medical issues and I honestly didn't know if I was capable to handle it. Frankly, I was annoyed that God had placed this on my heart, because I was perfectly content with my major and life plan prior. Ah, isn't it funny how we plan our lives and think we are in control?

Well, y'all, it was about 10 minutes into interning in that first special education class that I knew I needed to change my major. The day was chaotic, loud, funny, and so full of love. These kids worked double as hard as any other kid I had seen and were so full of joy. They had their bad moments too, but their personalities were all so different and they came by everything honestly.

I left that classroom that day and went straight to my college to change my major to Exceptional Student Education. I still sometimes wonder what I have gotten myself into, but let me just say this. When God has called you to something, you will not be happy doing anything else. Change is flippin scary y'all, but it can also be kind of amazing.

I now have full faith that God has equipped me to handle the situations that will be thrown at me in the future with his help and I am so stinkin' excited. I mean what other career do you get to stop in the middle of your day and have a full on dance party to GoNoodle videos? I think this is the only one! :)

I pray each of you find what God has called you to do and have passion towards it. Thanks for your support!

xoxo

Pretty Prom Dresses!

Happy Wednesday y'all! I am so happy to be back. By "back", I mean out of bed and healthy again. #fluseasonsucks. 

I can't wait to catch up on all the things in a Spontaneous Miscellaneous post on Friday but today I wanted to talk PROM!

Whether or not you plan on going to your prom, you have to admit, looking at dresses is SO fun. It was arguably my favorite part of the whole experience! Ha :)

Sadly, (but not really all that sad) I am out of high school so I don't have another prom to go to. I did however still find a few stunning dresses online that I thought were worth sharing for those of you who do have a prom to go to still! 

First, I will start with a photo from my prom...

... aaah I loved my dress! 

Here are some other dresses I love!

This dress looks like Cinderella, I LOVE!

I would love this dress with the right up-doo and a bright red lip.... yes MA'AM!

An Audrey Hepburn inspired prom look? Absolutely!

I love pink satin!

So sparkly and pretty I love it.

Well there you have five dresses that I just LOVE! What color was/is your dress?

Have a great day, talk to you soon!

xoxo

Four School Must Haves

Happy Wednesday! Yesterday I had my first classes of the Spring semester and I feel rather nerdy saying that I am excited, haha! I enjoyed the month off for winter break but I am so ready to get back to a routine. I will say however that this semester will be a LOT harder than the last. My professors are just tougher this year and the work is going to be harder. I also am taking five classes this semester so pray I do well!

Today I thought I would put together a full post showing some of my favorite things for school. Cute school supplies make studying far more fun!

One // My Planner

 
 Oh my word what would my life BE without my planner?? I don't even know. My life is in this thing. I love how cute it is and I really enjoy starting each week with planning out not only what I have to do each day but my overall goals for the week. I also kind of love stickers, if you couldn't tell. :)


Two // My Tervis Cup

I know this sounds silly but I have been through the ringer with cups. I hate to sound like goldilocks but I could never find one that was just right. Either it was too heavy, or too big to fit in my car cup holder, or the cold metal kept hurting my teeth, or the lid would break.. I could not win. This is the true winner of all cups. You can find them in a bunch of different designs and shapes but the one I have and carry with me every day all day and to school also, is this UCF cup. Cute right?? #chargeon

Three // Mechanical Pencils

 These are seriously the best mechanical pencils out there. I know it is kind of ridiculous of me to think this but I seriously feel ready to conquer the world when I whip out these awesome mechanical pencils y'all. #it'sthelittlethings


Four // Monograms for My Binders

Monogram decals are on every single folder and binder I bring to school. They just spice up my solid color stationary ya know? You can also reference my post here on how to get free preppy stickers sent to you, since we all know by now, I LOVE STICKERS!


There you have it. The four things I never go to school without. Have a great spring semester y'all! YOU GOT THIS!!!

xoxo

UCF KNIGHTS GAMEDAY OUTFIT

Happy New Year everyone! I am happy to be back to blogging! I hope you all had a great Christmas and a fabulous start to 2018. I will have a full post recapping 2017 on Wednesday, along with sharing my New Years Resolutions. Today however, is about more than a fresh start, or a new year, it is about FOOTBALL!! It's BOWL GAME DAY BABY! I got two horses in the race today. I will obviously be pulling for Alabama tonight, but I am also SO stoked about my school, UCF getting in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. They will be playing my most hated school, Auburn so we are praying they win. 

I am slightly bummed I am not at the game but I will be watching (and screaming) from the comfort of my own home today. :) What teams are you pulling for?

I wanted to share some UCF spirit on the blog today with this cute outfit. My parents gave me a lot of this UCF gear for Christmas so I was pumped to throw it all together in time for the big game. I love this school!

Shirt // Purse // Tervis Bottle // Alex and Ani 

Well have a great Monday and first day of 2018 y'all! GO KNIGHTS!!

xoxo

SEC East Outfit Ideas

Happy Wednesday! Today I am working a long(ish) day before coming home to do a TON of math. Thankfully, yesterday was registration day for the next semester and I chose a WAY easier math so I am very happy. 

Today's post is the second half of my SEC outfit series. You can see my SEC West outfit ideas post here. I love these outfits I pulled together and hope you get some inspiration!

One // Two // Three // Four

I will be honest, I am kind of scared to face Georgia.. they are getting GOOD. Roll Tide though y'all! #sorrynotsorry

One // Two // Three // Four

In Florida, it is always flip flop season :)

One // Two // Three // Four 

I love Vanderbilt colors because they are so similar to UCF colors, which I obviously love :)

One // Two // Three // Four

I love the garnet and black combo and that purse is beautiful right??

One // Two // Three // Four

I love classic blue and white! There are so many different pieces out there but I LOVE that bracelet!

One // Two // Three // Four

One // Two // Three // Four

The mother land :) I don't know if y'all know this, but I was born in Knoxville close to the UT campus!

There you have it! Have a great Wednesday!

xoxo

Elle Woods Vibes

"BEND AND SNAP!"

Shirt // Shorts // Shoes

Hey y'all. Long time no chat! I took some time off from blogging to enjoy my Christmas and I am so happy to be back. I do love time with my sweet family. Christmas Eve was so wonderful at my grandparents house with my parents, sister, and aunt. Come Christmas day we had a relaxing morning at home and then threw a surprise party for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. I am so blessed to come from a family of sweet couples. After 50 years my grandparents are still the cutest couple and most fun people to be around. They have kept God at the center of their relationship and always laugh. They are such a good example for me. Needless to say that this holiday was beyond perfect. I am so undeserving of God's love that he would send his son for me. That's crazy y'all.

I was so blessed to get such BOMB gifts this year. You will see me sharing some of them here and there but today I am sharing this new shirt and shorts I got. I mean HELLOOOO!?!?! How stinkin' cute is this combo? Jadelynn Brooke is the bees knees (oh and so is Reese Witherspoon duh!). I love some Legally Blonde :)

What were y'all up to this past Christmas? This coming Monday, I am sharing my New Years Resolutions so check back!

xoxo

Roll Tide Roll! Gameday Outfits

Happy Football Saturday y'all! Us girls are daughters of an Alabama alum so we get big into the game around here! Who will you be rooting for this weekend?

Today my sister and I did something we call "running errands like a mom". We went on what should have been a normal drive to the stores but the rain kind of made it more interesting for sure :D Make sure to follow along on my Instagram story. You can also check out my sisters story too! 

Have a great three day weekend!

xoxo