And the Countdown Continues...

Today 2 out of my 3 Wednesday classes were cancelled....so in all my laying around studying I decided to take a break to focus on the real task at hand:

PACKING FOR SPRING BREAK!

Emily and I take flight at 6:57 PM on Saturday and I am running out of time to pack!  Because it is so expensive to check luggage ($25/bag both ways) we have decided to split one large suitcase and each take a carry on.  Today I'm going to outline a few items I absolutely cannot leave without!

1. Tanning oil and after sun lotion.

I'm a big tanner. I'm the girl who comes back from summer vacation and people question my ethnic background. But it ain't easy being a bronze babe. A good tan takes work and lack of SPF...oh and acceptance of skin cancer.

2. All the Pretty Little Dresses

When in comes to packing for vacations I tend to overpack provide myself with many options. And whether it's hot in Naples (it better be) or not, you better believe I'm breaking out the sundresses.

3. Sexy Sandals

Again with the overpacking...in all honesty, my spring break carry on in year's past has been known to solely contain shoes. (no pun intended) But come on, how can I resist? It's 40 degrees at Butler which means I'm not gonna be breaking out these bad boys unless I'm on vacation.

4. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Bikinis

Everyone has their obsessions. One of mine may or may not be bikinis for spring break. This is a collection from up to 2 years of spring breaks.  The thing is, I'm a lifeguard in the summers so I don't get many chances to wear cute bathing suits in the sweet summertime. How do I deal? By bringing 5 suits on spring break....one for each day!

I'm super excited for spring break...

Can't you tell?

The Ides of March

Everyone knows that somewhere within the mad month of March lies the blissful retreat that is also known as SPRING BREAK.  & in lieu of Butler's spring break being 4, count 'em 4, days away, I thought what better way to head off to Florida than to reminisce on my past 3 breaks spend in the Sunshine State?

I have been blessed to spend my past 3 spring breaks in Clearwater and Daytona and bliss doesn't even begin to describe my experiences!  I'll give you a pictorial lowdown on each year's trip!

For SB2K8, I made the voyage to Clearwater with my great friend Maddie with her parents and grandma Sue.  We stayed in a beautiful condo only 5 minutes walking distance from the beach.  Our place also had an awesome roof looking out over a manatee filled canal where we spent half of our laying out time that week!

(unfortunately I have no pictures from that year because neither Maddie nor I had Facebook at the time)

SB2K9 began with a Rihanna-esque haircut:

& was again spent with Maddie and another close friend, Eve.  That year we went to Daytona Beach with Maddie's mom & let me tell you, Daytona is way crazier than Clearwater!  When we arrived the city was celebrating BCR (Black College Reunion) & let's just say it was a BIT of a culture shock.  Thankfully the Reunion ended on the second day of our trip and we enjoyed our week laying out at the giant pool at our hotel and making sand castles on the beach!

We were lucky enough to also be staying in the same hotel as a big group of more girls from good ol' TL, so we spent some time on the beach with them too!

& of course we couldn't leave without feelin' a little bike week!

For my senior spring break, SB2K10, I went back to Clearwater with my dear friend Brooke, her mom Angie, my mom, and my grandma.  We stayed in a condo very similar to that from 2 years before and has just as great of a time!

We ate delicious pizza

Watched beautiful sunsets

& even went parasailing!

Parasailing was a little too scary for me, but I am so glad I tried it!

This year, SB2K11, my super cute, fantastic, funny, nice, awesome roommate, Emily and I are making the trip to Florida again to spend the week with my grandparents in Naples!  The temperature has been in the mid 80's for the past few weeks so I've got my 2 essentials packed and ready to go: tanning oil and bikinis.

& in case you were wondering about the SB2K's they are just a clever way to spell your names with the date in the sand.

I hope you have a great spring break whether you are spending it in the sun, visiting family and friends, or even just heading home!