Jon Hart, TOMS, Silvers & Polo = LOVE

Okay so I will be pushing products in this post. I am by no means a "fashionista" but I like dressing comfortable and still looking adorable. These are just a few things that I think every girl should have!

JON HART DESIGN:

There's a little Texas based luggage company, Jon Hart design that has fabulous leather bags and everything else that you could think of! It started out in Houston, Texas in 1973 and I say has been going pretty strong since! Monogramming is available and comes in different options and of course they come in tons of colors. I personally have the pink single zipper backpack! SO PRESH! I have had it for almost three years and is still going strong (that means it lasts!) The leather is worn in and just perfect for any (preppy or country) girl on campus. I also have some other products like koozies and make-up bags.

Prices Range from $25.00 – 700.00


TOMS SHOES:

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Otherwise known as TOMS.

I have two pair and LOVE both of them! Of course, I have pink glitter.

My next pair will be these adorable maroon & white ones!

Price: $50.00


SILVER JEANS:

I swear to you Silver Jeans are the only jeans I wear. So comfortable and they can go casual or dress up! They are semi-expensive for a pair of jeans but totally worth it because they last a LONG time! I especially like the dark wash. Did I mention, COMFORTABLE?!

Price Range from $70.00 – 90.00


POLO (RALPH LAUREN):

A Ralph Lauren Sport Women’s V-Neck Pony Logo T-shirt and a Polo cap is the way to go on those days where you want to go casual or just wear polo everyday! Embrace the polo. Wear the polo!

Price Range: Go to an outlet mall, TJ Maxx or Amazon.com. They are sold at a very low price compared to department stores and no one knows the difference. (You can get more that way.)


Now you’re set year round!

Happy shopping!

Junior Year.

So I “technically” started my junior year of college life at Texas A&M this past week. A-A-A Whoop!

I am a typical college junior with around 85 credit hours pursuing a dual degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. I’m an undergrad but also an upperclassman. I will be getting my aggie ring next semester. I am twenty years old (115 days until 21), and yet people expect me to know what I want to do with my life?

Basically, I am stuck in the middle and the “real world” is knocking on my door. And suddenly, all of my high school friends are in serious relationships, married or already have children. Where does that leave me? I’m still looking for the right guy to come along while I’m at the bar on Thursday nights. (I’m sure my parents LOVE hearing this.)

It’s overwhelming to know that this year presents challenges that I haven’t faced before. People other than my ever faithful and proud parents are asking me what I want out of my life and out of a career, and they expect a long, sophisticated, thought-out answer. And sometimes, well most of the time I can’t give them enough information about what I want to do for my answer to even make sense.

I get asked, “What can an animal science degree get you?” and “Why a double major?” and “Do you plan on graduate school?” or “Why didn’t you go into something else?” or my personal favorite, “Is there any money in an ag job like that?

To answer these questions, I will briefly list some of my personal conclusions on each subject.

1.       Basically, I have learned (so far) that Animal Science majors can get hired to almost anything in the agricultural field i.e. extension agent, livestock management, state and federal government, equipment/ representative or sales rep, head of breed associations, livestock marketing, journalist, agricultural teacher, inspection and grading services and the list can go on and on.

2.       I decided to double major because I felt the need to do something more with my education. One of my ideas of a career path is in agriculture public relations, to do this I figured it would be better to also learn and train in this environment along with animal science. I stand by decision and I am proud of myself for taking on this challenge.

3.       Graduate school has always been a part of my plan. As of now, I have three different directions in which I would like to go. One being teaching or extension, but with the way extension and teaching positions have been falling, I am still considering other options. Another choice would be consulting for feedlots or cattle marketing companies. This would involve a lot of travel which I would gladly participate in. Especially due to the fact that I have decided that I will NOT be able to have a 9 to 5 job in an office. And lastly, University research and development, more importantly under beef cattle specialization. Beef cattle are what I have grown up around it is what I know and love and besides that I have no other answer.

4.       To me, there is nothing else.

5.       Is there money in any of these jobs? Well truthfully, I wouldn’t care if there wasn’t or even if there is. My philosophy is that I am going to the thing that makes me happy every day or I am going to find something different. If there is money in what I end up doing, it will be just icing on the cake.

The closer I get to graduation, the more I understand that these questions are going to be more frequent, but honestly, I keep looking around wondering when I grew up. When did I get old? Oh my gosh is that a grey hair?! Oh that’s definitely because of organic chemistry.

I just have to keep reminding myself that I will be okay. Take a deep breath, count to ten and smile.

I have made smart decisions in the past and look at how far I have gotten. I have set my goals high and have developed aspirations that are true to me.

I have also decided that it is okay that I do not have every aspect of my life planned out. That is God’s job.

I’m finding that balance this year and enjoying the little bit of time I have left at college, like going to the football game tomorrow with over 85,000 of my closest friends.

BTHO SMU! Thanks & Gig’em!