Sarah In The City

Pink & Red & Blue

2012-02-14T13:58:00.003-06:00

I always feel like I'm *supposed* to hate Valentine's Day since I'm single, but really, I happen to like it. It's more that I like the pink and red and hearts, not to mention the excuse to make holiday-themed sugar cookies and crafts, but still, I like it.

My daddy is my Valentine this year. He called me quite early this morning - before 7am my time, I think he forgot the time difference - to tell me as much. He still puts a card in the mail with a check and a fun note for holidays like Valentine's Day, Easter, and Halloween. Mom... She called me last night while she was making her traditional mini heart-shaped chocolate cakes with homemade chocolate mousse. I informed her that if they weren't being overnighted to Nashville, I didn't need to hear about it.

I made heart-shaped sugar cookies and brought them to work this morning. I don't know what's up with the photo - it's definitely not rotated like that when I upload it. I slacked on the decorating however - by the time I got around to that last night, it was too late for fancy. :)

During the first half of my lunch break (this is the back half!), I treated myself to a Valentine's Day present. I decided against the Anthropologie bedspread I had my eye on in favor of this one from Urban Outfitters. After reading the reviews, specifically looking at all the uploaded photos, it was exactly what I'm looking for.

In the reviews and photos, it's not this stark white but more of an ivory. Plus, I had a code for 15% off AND shipping was free. I ended up spending about half of what I'd spend at Anthropologie. I also picked up the matching shams.

I'm going to pair it with gray sheets and a ruffled grey bedskirt. I've got the perfect throw pillows, but I'm also thinking I may need some burlap - that's a recent obsession I have. I spent part of Sunday taking down the wall art and taking apart a bookshelf I no longer want to start the remodel in earnest. My closet is so full of stuff for the bedroom right now that I can barely walk in it so it's time. My room looks so pathetic right now.

I think I'm going to treat myself to Blue Coast Burrito tonight. It'll totally be cheating on my diet/healthy eating, but... Have you had Blue Coast Burrito? It's definitely worth the cheating. Plus, it's Valentine's Day and I said no to the donuts in the office this morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday Modge Podge

2012-02-13T13:12:00.000-06:00

I realize it's been a week since my last post - which was also a Monday Modge Podge. Last week... Was a busy one. Work, feature stories (AWESOME feature stories, can't wait to share those when they're live!), volunteering, moving into a new office building... I need to take a nap just thinking about last week. This one should be slightly calmer, however.

~ Yesterday, I got to see one of my very best friends! Rachel drove over from Knoxville to look at a car she's planning on purchasing and I got to have lunch and some fun TJ Maxx time. She also just started a new blog, Average, about her adventures getting into law school and beyond. Check it out?

Pretty bad of us, but decided to share. :)

~ Rachel also bought me a bunch of her gently used makeup. She's a bit of a makeup hound and recently had to clean out a bunch of it - to make room for more. I've got tons of makeup hanging out under my bathroom counter right now - must work on getting it organized.

~ Saturday morning I had a work debacle that required my attention. I missed my oil change, but I got to my hair appoint and oh my goodness, does it look amazing! I've been going to my hair dresser long enough now that I trust her so I told her to do what she thought would look best as long as she didn't take out too much length. She knocked it out - looks AMAZING. Even if she used the phrase 'like a Kardashian' when she was blowing it out. She's also an incredible singer-songwriter. I love Nashville.

~ Has anyone seen the Martha Stewart line at Staples?! I was the happiest girl on the planet. My desk looks so much more fun with just a few new pops of color. I had a hard time bringing myself to write on my new notepads this morning.

~ My cousin's husband returned safely from a deployment in Afghanistan last week! Evan has spent an awful lot of time in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last few years and we're so thankful he's home. Of course, no one in my family bothered to pass along that bit of information. The church gossip? You betcha. Evan's safe return? Found out on Facebook this morning when I spotted him in the background of a picture of one of their little girls at Build A Bear.

~ I wanted to stand up and hi-five Taylor Swift at the GRAMMYs last night. That was a huge 'look at me now' moment for her, winning two awards for a song about a critic who was past critical and outright, well, mean, to her. And then to be able to sing a GRAMMY-Winning song on the GRAMMYs? You go, Taylor!

~ I loved the Glen Campbell tribute with all my heart. My Papa Jim used to talk around singing "Rhinestone Cowboy" all the time. Good memories.

~ The only thing that can be said about Jennifer Hudson's tribute is 'wow.'

~ Someone I follow on Twitter was downright hateful in her tweets during the Glen Campbell performance. I get it - you don't like country music. Not everyone does. I don't like rap music. But not everyone does. The thing is, the man is legendary and has Alzheimer's disease. That's the last time you will ever see him on that stage. It's his goodbye, just like his last album and his current farewell tour. You don't need to like him. You don't even need to watch his tribute - turn the channel. But you do need to at least be respectful.

~ Nicki Minaj... I hope they had a confessional waiting for her backstage. I just can't....

~ We're getting ready for a touch of winter weather here in Nashville this afternoon, a little wintery mix changing over to rain with little accumulation. Which, translated by us Southerners, means Armageddon. They were brining the roads during rush hour this morning. ~~What a great idea.~~

~ Until next time - which hopefully won't be next Monday!

Monday Modge Podge

2012-02-06T10:50:00.001-06:00

I've decided that since Monday tends to be a day that I can usually get a blog posted ~~that I write the night before~~ and that since Mondays also tend to be a day spent trying to get my head back in the game, I'll just use it as my excuse to post whatever comes to mind.

So how about that Super Bowl? I was cheering for the Giants for no other reason than they have a Manning on their team. I can honestly say I didn't pay that much attention to it though. I was working on a project for GAC and I was so wrapped up in it, I just didn't take much of the game in. At one point I had to ask who scored, seeing as everyone was in the same colors. It was all very confusing. I didn't mind Madonna at halftime. If nothing else, she was better than the Black Eyed Peas last year. I'm still holding out for Kenny Chesney at halftime though. Think about it - him singing "The Boys of Fall" at halftime of the Super Bowl? Genius.

My favorite part of the game was definitely Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's "America the Beautiful." Not only did they move people to tears, you could just tell how much they loved one another. They've had an especially rough couple of weeks - Blake's father, a close friend of Miranda's, and Miranda's dog she's had for 20 years all passed away - so it was especially great to see them do so well. And how amazing was Kelly Clarkson? Take that, Christina.

Saturday, I got street parking right IN FRONT of one of the stores I was going to in Hillsboro Village. If you live in or are familiar with Nashville, you'll understand why this small feat absolutely made my Saturday. Fire Finch, Social Grace, and Fido were all a tad bit better because of it, despite the rain and chill.

Also, sorry, Whole Foods in Hill Center, but you don't need that giant parking garage all to yourself. I parked in it, right in front of your 'Whole Foods Customers Only' sign, and I didn't go to your store - so there. I'm a rebel. And seeing as there's virtually no parking aside from the garage, I'm also not alone.

Last night I was listening to some Marty Stuart (country star from the 80s/90s, great guy) footage. I forgot how great of a speaker he is - so engaging and his voice is just made to talk. I was with our host when she said she wanted an album of just him talking. Which leads me to my greatest thought of the weekend. I'm pretty proud of it.

When Marty Stuart was 12, Connie Smith (country legend) came to his hometown to perform. He told his mother he was going to marry her. 25 years later, he did and they are still head over heels for one another.

That reminded me of Brad Paisley. When he was 19, he took his girlfriend on a date to see Father of the Bride. When the sequel came out, they'd broken up and he went to see the sequel alone, feeling miserable. He decided he really liked Kimberly Williams who played Annie and decided 'Hey, I like her. She'd make a good girlfriend.' And now they're married. Read their sweet story HERE.

Johnny Cash had a similar story with how he fell for June Carter. Even Katie Holmes said she was going to marry Tom Cruise when she was a youngster. And so, that leads me to just put this out there: That Chris Young guy? He's pretty awesome. An absolute gentleman. One of the kindest people I've met. And so, I'm going to pull a Marty/Brad/Johnny/Katie and say I'd like to marry him. There. Make it happen, universe.

A girl can dream, right?

Also, is it weird that I knew all of the above information off the top of my head? Probably.

And lastly, I leave you with this. I've shared it on Facebook and Twitter and as a daddy's girl, it just melts my heart. I don't think a man could be more proud of their daughter.

Photo February

2012-02-01T12:03:00.004-06:00

I'm going to be participating in Fat Mum Slim's and I encourage you to do so too! I figure I snap enough pictures with my iPhone in any given day, may as well make the most of sharing them! Most of my shots will probably be iPhone shots - much easier to tote around than my Nikon!

So today's shot - My View

Not too exciting, huh? That's my desk which I'm in the process of packing up to move to another building. I've got both my laptop and my desktop, my tumbler, my Erin Condren planner and the essentials - baby lotion (perfect for an office vs. scented lotion!) and Smith's Minted Rose lip balm.

It's dreary and gray and wet outside so I figured a peek into my day-to-day would work!

I'm kind of excited about tomorrow's photo. I've got an idea of what I want to take a picture of, but it won't be until late evening.

Happy Hump Day!

Monday Modge Podge

2012-01-30T14:54:00.000-06:00

It only took me a year, but I am, officially and completely, a Nashville resident. In theory, you're supposed to get that taken care of within 30 days of moving, but I - didn't. I like to use the excuse that my purse was stolen the day after I moved here so I spent the first 30 days getting cards and IDs replaced. After that, I've got nothing except I just really don't like the DMV. I've had my Tennessee driver's license since April - pretty much just because my Virginia one expired. But this morning, I went in to work just a tad late and finally, finally got my plates transferred to Tennessee. Before the Virginia ones expired tomorrow. You know, timing and all.

For the record, while Tennessee's fees are less, everything - tags, licenses, registration, all of it - is done at DMV in Virginia. Which also happens to be open on Saturdays. It's a lot easier to get things done when you have a weekend option to work with instead of having to take time off work for it.

This would be a good time to warn you that there's no telling what might be included in this blog post - it's a modge podge of things after all.

I'm having a really good day. I'm in the kind of good mood that really annoys others so I've been trying to tone it down. I don't have a real reason for this good mood, I'm just in one. No complaints from this girl.

I had a couple of DIY projects I wanted to work on over the weekend. Here's one of them:

It's a terrible picture seeing as it was nighttime, but the letter is glittery. This is more of a temporary thing. I haven't had anything hanging on my door in nearly a month and it was just depressing so I threw this together for now and plan to get something cutesy up for Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day, whichever I get to first. Meaning, if I get to it before Valentine's Day.

We all know I love music. I've been obsessed with the below song lately. Some of you Amazing Race fans might recognize Mr. Canaan Smith. He competed on the show with then-girlfriend Mika Combs in 2009. They're the couple that got eliminated when she wouldn't go down the water slide. Canaan is now signed with Mercury and his debut single, "We Got Us," went for adds last week.

The video also came out last week. It's beautifully done. I've been listening to this song on repeat. And it doesn't hurt that he grew up about an hour down the road from me in Virginia. Small world.

I printed a small version of this for my desk at work and will be printing a bigger version for my room. So very, very true:

I painted a replica of this this weekend. It's hanging in my kitchen. I think it's pretty accurate to my take on life.

I also replicated this over the weekend and will be doing similar one with 'Start each day with a grateful heart.' Both of them will go in my room. Proverbs 3-5 is one of my favorite verses and 'Start each day with a grateful heart' is my personal mantra.

I also printed this for my desk at work. I think it's a good thing to look at every day, especially when you're having one of 'those' days at work.

I need to find this boy. Did you know there's only 214 days until college football season? Not that I'm counting or anything...

I made some of the BEST Shepherd's Pie this weekend. I used this Martha Stewart recipe but I used ground turkey instead of beef, added a can of cream of mushroom after I mixed in the veggies and before I poured it into the casserole dish and nixed the onions ~~because I forgot to pick one up~~ and used garlic salt to season the ground turkey ~~because I hate mincing garlic with a passion.~~ I can't wait to get home and heat some up for dinner.

I think I'll go ahead and quit while I'm ahead. Happy Monday!

Favorite Things - Bedroom Edition

2012-01-24T17:01:00.005-06:00

As an update on the bedroom re-model, I decided I'd share a few things I've either bought, am considering buying, or have found as inspiration.

I think this bedding is going to be mine later this week. I've fallen in love and can't find anything even close to comparable. I thought my mother would talk me out of the price tag. Instead, she told me which shams she thought matched better.

Anthropologie

I picked these up at World Market over the weekend. Except I bought two as they're sold individually in store.

World Market

I bought a nearly identical set of skeleton keys like these I found on Pinterest at Stein Mart over the weekend - for just $5.00! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them but I thought I needed them.

Target has a lot of mirrored accessories that I'm loving. I think something like this end table might be making it's way into my room. Maybe.

Target

Definitely planning on purchasing a couple of chevron pillows. I'm thinking one gray and one yellow. They should look great with the pillows I already have - assuming I can get the right shade of yellow.

I like the idea of these curtains but I'm not sure they're THE curtains.

Anthropologie

I'm looking for a chair as well. Something like this could be a winner, depending on how much Chevron makes its way into the rest of the decor.

Can you tell I'm having fun decorating?

Storm (Tornado) Warning

2012-01-23T14:20:00.001-06:00

Last night, I spent a lot of time here:

That's my bathroom floor in case you were wondering. I wasn't there because I had too much fun with the girls on Sunday Funday either. I was there because of this:

I took this screenshot hours before it actually hit, but you get the idea. My poor Nashville was right in it's path. I live in Metro Nashville and we definitely got rocked. The first storms came around 6:00pm, just after I got back from picking up Blue Coast Burrito for dinner ~~for the second night in a row~~. Those were cool. Those were the storms I like. Then, somewhere around 11:30 or so, all hell broke loose and I set up shop in the bathroom floor.

I love a good storm. There is not much better than lounging around, listening to it rain, thunder rolling, lightening flashing. But when you start hearing those sirens, things get real scary real quick. Those means tornadoes. We don't have tornadoes in Virginia, at least not often, and certainly not anything comparable to what we have here in Middle Tennessee. Usually a 'tornado' in Virginia turns out to be high winds and a few scary minutes, nothing more.

Let me tell you a little about my storm prep. I have a NOAA Weather Radio - that I have decided is a piece of junk and I will be upgrading ASAP. I have not one but THREE weather apps, including NOAA Radio, that send me alerts on my phone. I'm also close to the sirens in my part of Nashville. I'm thankfully on the ground level of my apartment complex and have a safe place to go in my apartment. I don't play when it comes to tornadoes. Oh, and I have a flashlight that I tote from room to room like a lifeline.

Things finally cleared up around 2:00am last night. At least I thought so. I was SO tired - I'd been glued to the severe weather coverage on my local NBC affiliate for hours at that point and jumped every time my phone chimed or another Emergency Alert came across the screen. I finally worked up the nerve to turn my TV off and climb into bed. At 2:14am, my radio, phone and the sirens all sounded at the same time and back in the bathroom I went. I finally got to sleep around 3:00am and woke up at 5:30am to shower for work.

Needless to say, there is not enough of this stuff in the world to get me through today:

Trust me, I'm 4 - yep, 4 - big cups in, not to mention one soda down, and I'm barely functioning. I'll head to bed quite early tonight.

As bad as it was here though, it was nowhere near as bad as our friends in Alabama experienced. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

I have to say, if this is January's weather, what's ahead for spring when we're actually SUPPOSED to get this kind of weather?

I'm proud of myself though. This is the first tornado outbreak I made it through without calling either of my parents. I was, however, texting my fingers off to another friend who was also wide awake and in a state of fear. Baby steps.

Bedroom Makeover

2012-01-17T12:50:00.001-06:00

I'm not one to decorate a space and leave it be for the next while. Usually about 6 or so months in, there's a space that I decide really needs a makeover. My bathroom sort of got a makeover a few months ago - just traded out towels and rugs, no big thing. My living room has been spared, but I think that's because I change up the mantle just about every month and frequently re-arrange the bar that separates it from the kitchen.

My bedroom, however, has been in my cross hairs for a while. Right now, it's black, white and red with a sort of hint of old Hollywood glam. I don't like it. I don't think I've ever really liked it, just THOUGHT I liked it. It's too stuffy and formal for me. I like shabby chic and whimsical decor. And so I have started working on a remodel.

The color palette sans the green:

The only item I've actually bought:

I picked up two of these from World Market. My mom tried to sway me into the matching curtains, but that's just too much of one print. I have my eye on chevron pillows/curtains.

I also have my eyes set on this duvet and shams from West Elm. They're on sale right now so I'll have to swing by West Elm and see if they're in stock this weekend before I order online.

Going for this sort of feel with my bedding.

Although this is a contender.

I really want a vintage mantle as my headboard. I was telling my dad and he's decided the best idea is for him to build me one and then distress it. Seeing as I've lived in Nashville a year and I'm STILL waiting for him to bring me my dresser, his construction of a mantle depends on whether or not I find one I like before he gets here.

I've got a lot of stuff I'm going to re-purpose - frames, memo boards, things like that. I'm also in a debate over whether or not I'm going to keep the bookshelf I have right now. It's over 6 feet tall and takes up a lot of valuable space. I think I'd prefer a cozy chair and table with a lamb. We'll see.

I'll be sure to take before and after photos as I get started. My wallet trembles every time I get close to Etsy. So far, all I've done is favorite ~~everything on the site.~~ Time to narrow it down and make some decisions!

Monday Mish Mash

2012-01-16T15:06:00.003-06:00

Having written this post, I feel it's only fair to put a disclaimer at the top. Random thoughts, coming your way.

I can, on good authority, say that I did absolutely nothing this weekend.

Okay. I DID go pick up my contacts Saturday and do a little grocery shopping, but to be honest, my grocery shopping trip really just happened so I could pick this up:

I wasn't going to read them. My boss had told me months ago to read The Hunger Games series after he and his wife read them. I picked up the first book while at Border's liquidation sale, read the back, and thought he'd lost his mind - it sounded too far-fetched for me, a little too sci-fi or something. But then my friends started reading it and telling me I really needed to get on board.

The final straw that led me to pick up the first book while out running very last minute Christmas errands for my mom? Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars wrote and recorded a song for it. It's called "Safe & Sound" and I can't get enough of it.

I thought the first book started off slow, but once I got past about 11 chapters and started Part II, I could.not.put.it.down. I read the entire thing the day after Christmas. My mother would say 'Are you going to do anything today? At all?' To which I'd reply 'Just read.' and re-arrange the Cocker Spaniel who spent the entire day sleeping in my lap.

I also discovered Happy Endings this weekend. Where has this show been all my life?! I watched all four episodes that were On Demand and I'll be catching up ASAP. I laughed so hard. What a brilliant show!

Want to know my latest food obsession? This:

I'm seriously putting it on everything. My favorite so far has been wheat penne pasta, chicken, black beans and corn. It gives just enough of a spicy kick to make it good.

Speaking of food, I've been eating a LOT healthier over the last couple of months, save for the holidays. I'll expand more on that later, but it truly makes all the difference in the world. Not only have I lost weight, I feel better, my skin looks better, and I just have so much more energy. Good decision.

Any suggestions on what I can put on my hair to help with the dryness? I've been using a Pantene Great Lengths hair mask that works great, but only for a few days. I've never really had much trouble with dry skin/hair in the winter, but this year (even if it doesn't feel like winter outside) is proving to be different. My skin and hair are suffering.

Gracie Beth sent me a link to a pair of Revas on Ebay a couple weeks ago. I snatched them up. They're my first pair and she's created a monster. I want them in EVERY color. They're so comfortable and so classy looking.

Also, today is a very important day in my personal history. On this day last year, I loaded up everything I owned into my little Chevy Cavalier - well, nearly everything. I had to leave my coffee pot until Mom shipped it to me. It was devastating - and I moved to Nashville, Tennessee. I can't believe it's been one whole year. I love it 100x more than I did 365 days ago and plan to love it 100x MORE come this time next year. Bless this city and everything it stands for.

My pretty, sparkly city.

...Even if the weather is currently throwing a temper tantrum like you wouldn't believe. But hey, that's Tennessee!

Happy Monday!

When You're 18

2012-01-13T10:46:00.000-06:00

The other day, my cousin, K, texted me asking about sorority recruitment and college life. She'll be 18 in a couple of months and will be attending the University of Arkansas this fall. After I got over my initial 'there is no way she's old enough for this' moments, we started trading texts - questions from her about college life, the SEC, and sororities, and answers from me, the cousin who has 'been there, done that.'

Our texts turned to our 'goals' in life and K stated that she was going to have a country wedding and three kids before she's 30 and live as a trophy wife. I can't really fault her on that. As many career ambitions as I have, my ultimate ambition is to be the Proverbs 31 wife and mother. Some may judge that, but I think that is as honorable and noble of a goal as any and I know K well enough to know that's what she means as well.

While K and I were texting, I was listening to Eric Church's debut album. It's an album I've worn out, one of my favorites, but as I was listening and texting, a lyric to one of his songs, "What I Almost Was," struck me: I Thank God I Ain't What I Almost Was.

The song chronicles the up and downs of life. The D1 football dreams that didn't work out, the almost marriage to a wealthy CEO's daughter that was abandoned in the dead of night, all of these grand plans that didn't work out - and that led him to pick up a guitar and find where he's meant to be.

When I was 18, I had a plan. I was going to graduate college, enroll in the nursing program at the local community college, get my RN and marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after in my little rural small town. That was that, black and white and set in stone. Looking back, I think I knew my heart wasn't in it. I think I knew I was settling. But when you're 18, it's easy to settle.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next. About 9 months into my grand plan, we broke up. I stayed with the nursing plan, moved on, got a new boyfriend, kept the same marriage and happily ever after plan. And that relationship ended about 9 months later. It wasn't pretty. Let's leave it at that.

I was still a nursing major and about halfway through the program when that happened. Once I was single and starting to turn the corner from depressed, brokenhearted mess to slowly getting myself together smaller mess, things started getting clearer - I HATED nursing and as much as I love my hometown, I wanted - more.

Hate is a strong word, but it's also very true in my case. I hated nursing. I hated that it didn't come easily to me. I hated that I could spend hours upon hours studying and still barely pass. I mostly hated that I got attached to babies who were in the NICU because of their mother's drug addiction and to sweet old ladies in hospice care that passed away. I couldn't handle it. I have more respect for nurses than they will ever know for what they are able to do. I couldn't do it.

Fast forward a few years and skip a long story about how I re-discovered my love of music and writing. I'm 25. I live in Nashville. I'm a social media professional for a major retailer where I get to be creative and always have something different and interesting on my plate. I also work in the music industry as a blogger for a national cable network. My work is read by thousands across the country every day and I get to do some pretty cool stuff. Do you know how unreal that is?

I'm also single. If I'm not working, I'm usually exploring Nashville with friends, catching a live show, working on a DIY project or baking something. I'm hoping I'll meet 'him' sooner rather than later and that I'll get the chance to try to be that Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I've got a good life, a blessed life that I make sure to thank God for every day, even when it's not such a good day and not quite as easy to see the blessings around me.

In short, I thank God I ain't what I almost was.

When you're 18, like K, like I was, and like you were once, you truly believe it's that simple - that you'll get married and settle down or be the next Beyonce or whatever crazy dream you have. But life has a funny way of throwing us curve balls, of putting bumps in the road that derail our dreams. And somehow, someway, we end up right where we're meant to be - even if it's not what we thought it would be.

I Can See!

2012-01-09T14:13:00.000-06:00

Saturday was a monumental day in my life. I went to the eye doctor early Saturday morning and walked out with contacts! I've worn glasses for three and a half years so it's high time for lenses. I've actually been fitted three previous times, but because of my astigmatism, which is pretty bad, none of them worked out. That was about two years ago. Now, we seem to be in business!

I keep reaching for my glasses though. I get in the car and have a moment of panic because I've 'forgotten' my glasses. Then I remember I have contacts and continue along my merry way. I also reach to push them up which is weird. I must have done that as a nervous habit, kind of like how I play with my monogram ring and don't realize it until I forget to put it on. I haven't worn them for a full day yet though - my eyes are still getting used to them. I think tomorrow might be the first full run with them on, but I'm going to take both my glasses and my contact 'stuff' in case. My eyes tend to get a little dry.

I'm off of work today. I got to go have a substantial amount of dental work done this morning. I used to think the gates of hell were located at the Atlanta airport. Now, I think they're actually located just down the street from my apartment at my dentist's office. The Novocaine is wearing off and let me tell you, it HURTS. I'm supposed to just take Ibuprofen for the pain so I'm popping those this afternoon. Lucky me, I get to go back in a few weeks for the last bit of work. Yay.

I'm re-doing my bedroom and upon searching for the perfect bedding, discovered we have a West Elm in Nashville! How on earth did I not know this?! I'll be heading there this weekend. They have the bedding I want AND it's on sale! I'm hoping it's in stock so I don't have to order it and wait impatiently for it to arrive.

In addition to the dentist, I also went to have my tags ~~finally~~ transferred to Tennessee. I can't for the life of me find my vehicle registration however. I had my emissions tested then went to the clerk's office with all sorts of papers, hoping I'd be able to sweet talk them into using the temporary registration I still had. No such luck. Looks like I'll have to order my registration, wait up to 15 business days, then go back which means taking another afternoon or so off work. I'm hoping I can do it and the dental work all in the same afternoon - much easier.

I'm off to work on - something. I don't think I much like being home in the afternoon on a work day. I've done some work already and have quite a few projects I can work on. May as well be productive! Happy Monday!

Oh, and because today's the day all of us SEC fans decide which team we dislike less.... Roll Tide! (GO VOLS!)

Go Tell It On The Mountain

2012-01-06T10:41:00.000-06:00

So Christmas was, oh, almost two weeks ago and yet here I am, just getting around to posting a recap of my holiday. Ah well. Better late than never!

I'm fortunate to work for a company that closes Christmas Eve as well as Christmas and since Christmas Eve was on a Saturday, that meant we were off on Friday and got to leave work early on Thursday. Thursday night, I went to my first Nashville Predators hockey game despite the fact that I knew I was leaving early the next morning for Virginia. It was worth it though - I had a blast even though I had no idea what was going on. I might be a hockey fan now!

I was really excited to decorate my small apartment for Christmas. It's the first time I've had a space of my own to deck out. Or deck out as much as I could. Did I mention my apartment is small? Because it is.

My Christmas tree! Please note the wrapping matches my decor. I was told this is odd.

My Pinterest-inspired ornament wreath. I've got to learn to make bows. My mama has always been my go to bow maker but she's 9 hours away now. Gots to do it myself!

My few lights on my patio. I couldn't reach anything else! I also really dislike that the AC units for three apartments are in front of mine.

I woke up not so bright and early Friday morning to hit the road to Virginia. See, I had to be home in time for church that night and it's a 9 hour drive. I somehow managed to be IN the car and pulling out at 6am on the nose. A quick stop for gas and another for coffee and I was on my way before the sun came up. With Skittles the cat. Who was given a vet-approved dosage of Benedryl before we left. Traveling with her is a real riot.

It was a long but easy drive and I made it home with time to spare for church. The kids did their annual Christmas pageant and it was precious. My family church is a very small little white church in the mountains and the play consisted of my family and our new preacher's kids (he has 9!). Only 2 kids in the play didn't fall into one of those two categories. My sister was an angel and my brother one of the wise men. My sister had started off as Mary, but asked to switch. She didn't like faking labor, it seems.

The cast of the Christmas pageant.

Afterwards, we had refreshments and then headed home to hang out and get ready for Christmas Eve which in my family, means cooking, baking and present wrapping.

Let's pause to discuss the family Christmas tree. My stepdad gets really into the holidays and loves to put his touch on the decor. Except he has no idea what he's doing. Mama came home from work one evening in early December and found this tree in her living room, lights being strung on it as she walked through the door. Stepdad had taken it upon himself to cut down a tree on his way home from work. We're still not sure why he thought this was a good choice but Mama sucked it up and let him have it. They couldn't even put the angel on top because the limbs were too flimsy! Last year, he had a miniature tree set up on a wine barrel with the most obscure decorations you've ever seen so I guess this is a step up.

On Christmas Eve, my Mama's family gathers at my grandparents for dinner and exchanging gifts. There are a LOT of us so we all draw names. This year was a little bitter sweet. My Papa's health isn't good at all for one, but there are also some personal issues going on with certain members. It was nice to be able to put most of that aside for the evening and just have fun and enjoy one another.

I got to spend Christmas Eve day with this love bug! This is Hollie, my favorite 3 year old cousin. She's a mess, this girl. My sister's room is also a mess. That's a battle of wills between her and our mother. For every once of OCD I have, my sister is the exact opposite.

Christmas Eve is really entertaining for my cousins and sister.

I got Hollie's name for Christmas (so maybe it was rigged...) and she was SO excited to get two presents from me instead of one. But she's the baby in the family and I just love her so... two it was.

I got her some great Melissa & Douglas toys. She loved them!

We all get new pajamas on Christmas Eve night. Mama and Stepdad both had Scotty Dogs, Brother had polar bears, Sister had zebra (bet you can't guess she loves zebra looking at that picture taken in her room!) and me? I got cow print footie pajamas!

The 3 of us plus our our sweet puppy Abby. She's not a fan of doggie clothes so no PJs for her.

Never has a picture been more appropriate in showing how my family works. Stepdad had a shirt like Brothers he was supposed to wear with his PJs but obviously that did't happen.

Skittles the cat was waiting for the room to clear out so she could resume her attack on the Christmas tree.

The twins and I started horsing around. The clothes hamper came into play, the dog got involved... Mama got not happy. We settled down. Eventually.

Abby was the first one in bed on Christmas Eve. She stayed right there on the sofa all the way through gift opening on Christmas morning!

Christmas morning is still just as fun as it was when Santa Claus came! The twins got Kindle Fires and lots of clothes - exactly what they wanted. Mama knew what I wanted - she got me a Cricut! Stepdad got a meat slicer since he loves to hunt and process his own meat. I was a little concerned with what Mama was going to open since this is literally the first time Stepdad has ever shopped without my help, but he did really, really good - lots of great gifts. Plus I got her an Erin Condren planner!

The twins opening gifts. They just didn't get ANYTHING for Christmas...

The Christmas morning aftermath.

Abby got to enjoy some Christmas ham for breakfast while we ate our traditional oyster stew.

As for Skittles, she was tickled with all the left over ribbon and paper she got to play with once gifts were open.

I didn't get a single photo of Christmas with my dad and his side of the family. It never crossed my mind. We were having too good of a time telling funny stories and eating Grandma's delicious food! But rest assured that it was just as wonderful as always. My daddy LOVED his gifts from me and I was pretty stoked about his as well - Paula Deen pots and pans! My parents know me so well.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. Here's to 2012 being a beautiful year!

Goals Sounds Better

2012-01-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!! Did you eat your black-eyed peas today? I did. They were out of a can though, not quite my momma's Hoppin' John but I didn't want to be eating black-eyed peas all week and I would have been had I followed her recipe.

On my first 2012 note, what is up with all the engagements?! I know the holiday season brings about a lot of engagements in general, but I swear everyone and their brother got engaged this year. I'm thrilled for all of my friends who have received rings and wish them the best and all the happiness in the world. But as a single girl, I am *kind of* envious. But my time will come and that's that. :)

So, it's 2012. I'm not making resolutions. I'm making goals. I like the sound of goals. I'm a goal setter and generally, a goal reacher. Some of my goals for the year include:

Continue the healthy eating habits I started back in September. I got off track during the holidays - who didn't? - but it makes the world of difference in everything from how I feel to how my skin looks when I'm sticking to my healthier eating program.
Grow in my career. I've learned so much, both at my 'big girl' job and at my freelance job, but there is still so much to learn and experience. Working in digital media, there will ALWAYS be something new to learn. That's part of why I love my job - it's ever changing. I'm also hoping for some pretty great assignments and projects to find their way on my plate.
Blog more often. It's crazy for me to think I'll blog every day. I don't have the time. But I think 3-4 times a week is feesbile. We'll see.
Go to church. This is hard. I need that spiritual part of my life. I pray every day, count my blessings every day. But I need to start going to church, even if it's just the 11:00 service on Sundays. That's hard because I haven't found 'my' church in Nashville yet and going to a new church - alone - is terrifying.
Cook more. I cook probably 5-6 days a week, but it's the same handful of things, usually involving pasta or rice, chicken and vegetables. I want to vary up my menu and tackle some more challenging recipes - casseroles, desserts, side dishes, all of it. And meats. I'd be perfectly fine to eat chicken every day (I do...) but I doubt my future husband would appreciate it.
Make more 'me' time. Not necessarily me time as in just me but me time as in time with my friends. I work so much and have so many ambitions that I let that get in the way of my social life. When I do have free time, I tend to want to hole up in my apartment and relax. I need to be more diligent about spending time with my friends. That's a priority in 2012.

I plan to continue to volunteer with Musicians On Call in 2012. I also want to re-vamp my digital portfolio, learn web design/development better, and re-design my blog. I'm planning to join the Junior League and maybe, *maybe* by my first home when my lease is up at the end of the year. I think I'd rather make a house/condo payment than rent again and I NEED more counter space.

So there are my goals for 2012, in black and white. I think they're all attainable. I'll make them all attainable, anyway. What are your goals for 2012?

The Year 'It' Happened

2011-12-31T15:39:00.001-06:00

Yep, this is another 'Year In Review' post. I'm sure you've read plenty of them, but I want to be able to look back and read this in a few years and think 'Man, 2011 was fantastic.'

In 2006, I printed a photo of Nashville's skyline. I framed it and kept it on my nightstand by my bed, whether that bed was my childhood home or my University of Tennessee dorm. To most, it was a pretty picture. To me, it represented my future.

See, I had reached a turning point back in 2006. I'd gone through a bad, bad breakup at the first of the year and things just felt stagnant. I was working out what I wanted to do with my life and a very long story short, I realized the music industry was calling me and the pieces fell into place. Nothing but a sheer gut feeling told me that Nashville was where I needed to be. I'd never so much as set a toe into the city, but I just knew I needed to go there. I can't describe it. I was sitting at the kitchen table of the family I used to babysit for, mulling over life and enjoying the quiet house after the kids had gone to bed and it hit me like a ton of bricks - Nashville. To this day, I'll swear to you it was divinely ordered.

On January16, 2011, I loaded up just about everything I owned into my 2-Door Chevy Cavalier and moved to Nashville. To work in the music industry. It really, really happened.

I feel almost selfish in saying it's everything I hoped it would be. This city speaks to my very soul and I just know, beyond a doubt, that this is where I'm supposed to be. I still have that photo of the Nashville skyline. It's still in the same frame and it's sitting on my end table.

So I moved to Nashville, started working with GAC as a contractor. I interviewed Darius Rucker and Tim McGraw. I went to Chris Young's No. 1 party for "Voice." I went to the premiere of Kenny Chesney's football documentary about Condredge Holloway - in Knoxville, in a room that contained so many Tennessee football legends and coaches, including Peyton Manning. I got to attend the Grand Ole Opry several times, including the night Rascal Flatts was inducted and the Opry celebrated their 86th birthday. I ran right smack into Craig Morgan that night. I have to pinch myself sometimes to confirm this is my extraordinarily real life.

I started my big girl marketing job in April and moved from a contractor to a freelancer at GAC. I can't even begin to explain how much I've already learned and how much I hope to learn, working for a major retailer in their digital marketing department. Sometimes, I feel like I know it all. Most of the time, I wonder what the hell I'm doing. And then I go and do it because that's the only way I know to figure it out.

Some other notable things this year: I had my purse stolen the day after I moved to Nashville. That made the first few weeks fun. We're talking down to pennies in my checking account for a few days while things were sorted out, fun. I went to Indianapolis and Atlanta for the first time. I lost 15 pounds. I leased my first apartment and spent a big part of the year learning how to be an adult - budgets and bills and cooking for myself, cleaning for myself. I also got Skittles the cat who, I think, answers to 'Damn Cat' a lot quicker than she answers to her name. I also got involved with Musicians On Call, one of the most amazing organizations. I made new friends, said goodbye to friends, and realized just how much I love my family.

2011 was a really, really good year. I thank God every single day for blessing me the way he has. I try to start each day with a grateful heart and see the best in every situation, stay positive regardless. I also try to pay it forward, to give back. Sometimes that's volunteering or giving a dollar to the Contributor sellers. Sometimes that's saying a quick prayer for the homeless standing in the rain while I make my way to work in my nice, warm, dry car. I think that's important, to be grateful and count your blessings. So often, we're caught up in what we don't have when what we have is so much more than what we need.

I'm looking forward to 2012. I don't know what it holds. I know what I hope it holds. I have a feeling it's going to be one of the best years yet and personally, I can't wait to see how it pans out.

Happy New Year, everyone!

The 'Why I Need A Boyfriend' Post

2011-12-20T09:03:00.001-06:00

Lately, I've been saying the phrase 'I have got to find a boy for this.' After about the tenth time of making that comment in the last two weeks, I've compiled a list of all the reasons I need a boyfriend - besides the obvious fall in love, get married, have beautiful babies stuff. Without further ado, here is my list of generally superficial reasons why I need a boyfriend:

To reach things. This is, by far, the top reason I need a (tall) boy. At 5'2" I'm not very tall. I have to put on heels to reach things on the top shelves in my kitchen. Sometimes, heels, even the 4" ones, aren't enough. There's a soup pot in the cabinet above my fridge I'll likely never see again.
To put up Christmas lights. See No. 1. Also see my balcony.
To eat the food I cook. I made Shepherd's Pie Saturday night. I've had it every night since and will probably have it tonight and tomorrow night too. Did I mention I also baked cookies Sunday? Someone needs to eat them so I don't.
To check the oil in my car. I'm perfectly capable of doing so. It's about the only thing I know how to do to my car besides drive it. I just don't like to and generally don't until my daddy has reminded me somewhat sternly about five times.
To put gas in my car. Again, something I'm perfectly capable of and that I do weekly. But I really find getting out of my warm car to put gas in it in the middle of December to be an inconvenience.
To move that really heavy tote full of high school yearbooks and the like from my closet to the storage closet. That may wait until my Daddy comes to visit after the holidays, depending on if I get tired of not being able to walk into my small walk in closet before then.
To hang a mirror over my mantle. See No. 1 for the reason it's still sitting in the back of my closet 3 months later. I had a guy friend try to hang it, but decided I didn't trust his hammer and nail skills. Long story.
To talk football with me. I've got girlfriends who really love football, but unlike me, they aren't interested in talking recruitment, coaching changes, and off-season conditioning. Shame, really.
To explain NASCAR to me. My client has a NASCAR team. I'm the NASCAR social media person. All I know about NASCAR is that they turn left. It keeps things interesting. I fake knowing what I'm talking about really well, however.
To drive home after a late night out. I really hate driving after I've been out having fun with friends.

I realize all of these are superficial, but it's meant to be a tongue and cheek sort of post. Really, I just want to meet a boy, get married (to a musician), and have a baby so I can take this picture:

This is the first public photo released of Eric Church's new baby, Boone McCoy. Is he not just precious?!

Of note, I've decided in the course of writing this post that I will have Shepherd's Pie tonight. But tomorrow? Tomorrow I'm getting sushi.

No Note, Car Gone...

2011-12-16T10:20:00.002-06:00

I haven't blogged in over a month. Not because I haven't wanted to. Oh I've wanted to. I haven't blogged because I haven't had time to come up for air, let alone spend time doing fun things like this. This week alone, I've been home one evening and I didn't even go straight up that evening. My week, following a full day of work, went as such:

Monday - Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show
Tuesday - Pick up Secret Santa gift before going home
Wednesday - Drinks with friends
Thursday - Agency Christmas Dinner
Friday (Tonight) - Client Christmas Party

Remember, I also freelance for GAC so I've been coming home AFTER all this fun and getting that stuff done. Surprisingly, save for last night, I've still managed to go to bed before midnight every night this week. It's a Christmas miracle.

What else have I been up to? Well, let's see...

My 'real' job has been INSANE. My client is a major national retailer and retail.. It's crazy during the holidays - lots of last minute decisions and projects to execute. It's definitely kept me on my toes. I keep reminding myself 1) I'm lucky to have such a great job and 2) I'm sitting in the corporate office, not in the line of fire like those who are working in our stores across the country.

Then there was this little project - GAC's Holiday Gift Guide. And this - Top 10 Moments from the CMA Awards. Oh, and the American Country Awards, the National Rodeo Finals and right now, I'm working on the Top 10 Stories of 2011 plus Christmas, New Years and end-of-year Billboard charts. But I love it. I love being busy and paying my dues and networking and one day, it'll all pay off. I'm a blessed girl and have made this my mantra:

I always feel so much better about the day when I wake up and think about this and all the things I have to be grateful for. So what I had to leave my warm, cozy bed this morning at an ungodly early hour, get dressed, and go out in the pouring down rain to face Nashville traffic? I've got a lot to be grateful for.

I'm planning on getting back in the blog groove. As in, I'm literally planning blogging time in my schedule. It is what it is. I've got LOTS of DIY projects to share, not to mention recipes and Christmas cheer. This weekend, I'm planning on making shepherd's pie for the first time and peppermint pinwheel cookies. Details to follow.

Who knows? I might even get crazy and send my Christmas cards out! You know, if I get the time to finish addressing them and stuff...

3rd Favorite Day of the Year

2011-11-09T13:38:00.001-06:00

Today's the day! It's my 3rd favorite day of the year, only surpassed by Thanksgiving and my all time favorite, Christmas. Today is the CMA Awards! I have high hopes of attending in the next year or two - I get a step closer every year. This year, I'll be turning around a story for GAC. It'll be a late night, but a good night, and my first official Award Show assignment. And if you follow me on Twitter, I'll apologize in advance - I'll be tweeting during the whole thing.

With the ever growing knowledge of how the industry works, I've gotten really good at picking winners. I don't miss many - at least in recent years. I know a lot of you watch the CMAs so I'm going to share my picks with you:

Entertainer: By definition, Taylor Swift should win this award. The thing fans don't realize is this isn't about who puts on the best show. While that's a big part of it, other elements are things like public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and overall contribution to Country Music. However, I wouldn't be one bit surprised if Blake Shelton won this or if Brad Paisley repeated his win.

Female Vocalist: I've had a hard time picking this one. I'm leaning towards Miranda Lambert, but I'd love for Sara Evans or Martina McBride to walk away with it. Sara returned after taking several years off with a huge hit and Martina's career has taken on a whole new height this year.

Male Vocalist: Giving this one to Blake Shelton - and well deserved, at that. Although there's a part of me cheering for Jason Aldean.

Vocal Duo: This will almost certainly go to Sugarland. However, I wouldn't count Thompson Square out entirely. Sugarland has been quiet on the charts while Thompson Square has had their first No. 1 and a couple successful singles. But Sugarland has the touring machine going for them.

Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum, no contest. The Band Perry could make a run for this title in the next year or two if their success continues on it's current path.

New Artist: This is the hardest one for me to choose. Chris Young and Luke Bryan have had massive success on the charts while Eric Church blew everyone's mind by pulling huge album sales. The Band Perry is on fire. I've narrowed it down to TBP or Luke and am giving TBP a slight edge, if for no reason then the fact that they really are new artists while the boys are all on their third albums. However, as someone who has been a supporter of Eric's career for a long time and seen how many times he's been shot down for being unconventional, nothing would make me happier to see him win.

Album of the Year: Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party. It's triple platinum, has produced multiple No. 1s, and is just good, solid material. Taylor Swift's Speak Now could also take it but it's a little bit dated compared to the rest of the nominees, if that makes sense. Brad Paisley's This Is Country Music is also a contender.

Single of the Year: Another hard one. It comes down to "Honey Bee," "If I Die Young," and "Don't You Wanna Stay." I'm going to go with "If I Die Young."

Song of the Year: Also giving this to TBP's "If I Die You" but I'd love it if "Dirt Road Anthem" won. I'd love it a lot.

Musical Event of the Year: This one should go to "Don't You Wanna Stay."

Video of the Year: Year after year, I get this one wrong. I'm going to go with Taylor Swift's "Mean" but I really love Kenny Chesney & Grace Potter's "You And Tequila" video - it's beautiful.

Are you going to be watching? Who are your picks?

Fastest Girl In Town

2011-11-02T13:08:00.000-05:00

This morning, I left a note on my door that literally starts out 'Dear FedEx Man...' It's a note telling them not to leave my package (my new iPhone 4s that has been pre-ordered forever!) at my door but to drop it in the leasing office. It depends on the driver, but some of them stop at the office, have them sign for the packages, then go around leaving them at doorsteps while others leave packages in the office to be picked up. Since I don't get home until later, I'd rather my phone not be living outside my apartment door for hours.

But now I've spent the morning A) Obsessively checking the FedEx tracking website and B) wondering if the FedEx Man is actually a girl and if I offended her.

I haven't talked much about what music I'm listening to lately so I thought I'd share what's been cranking out of my speakers. Only the most badass (sorry, but the word 'badass' HAS to be used here) album to hit stores this year, that's what I've been listening to. I know people who know people so I had the pleasure of listening to Miranda Lambert's new album, Four The Record, in advance, but I have been DYING for people to get their hands on it. I woke up this morning to all sorts of status updates quoting her lyrics.

My favorites are "Fastest Girl In Town," "Mama's Broken Heart" and "Oklahoma Sky." I cried when I first heard "Oklahoma Sky." I could just see her singing that to Blake Shelton. It's beautiful. I also really like "All Kinds of Kinds," "Over You" and "Look At Miss Ohio." Basically, I love the whole album. But with lyrics like "Run and hide your crazy and start acting like a lady," how could you not?

Another new release I picked up is the self-titled debut from Hunter Hayes.

Hunter is incredibly talented. He's a songwriter, played every instrument on his album, co-produced it... And he's only 20. His debut single is "Storm Warning" which I was only mediocre towards at first but have sense come to really like. "Wanted" is another good one on here. He's making a LOT of noise around Nashville - he's actually playing a showcase tonight that I have to skip out on with other pre-made plans. I just have to remind myself he's much too young for me, ha!

And now, the eye candy...

You may remember me talking about Kip Moore. I love, love love this guy's music. He's got a way with lyrics - brilliant songwriter. His first single, "Marry Was The Marry Kind," made it into the Top 50 but his new one, "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck," is moving up the charts pretty good. Its one of my favorites from his demo and good grief - just watch the video. It's - steamy. I may or may not have watched it on repeat.

Lastly, check out this cover challenge from Charlie Worsham. I seen him open for Taylor Swift and was just charmed by him and his music. I was also a fan of his former band, Kingbilly. He's so creative in these cover challenges of his, country-ing up a song from another genre. Who would have thought to use Tootsie Pops as drumsticks? If you have time, check out his other challenges as well - "Next Girl" and "I Want You To Want Me" in particular.

And finally, Thankful November. Today, I'm thankful for email. It's such a novel thing to be thankful for, but I love sending short messages back and forth to my Mama, my granny, my aunts, uncles and cousins... I love that I can stay in touch with them like that!

Thankful November

2011-11-01T10:21:00.000-05:00

I feel like the gas pedal of life has been stomped to the floor and gotten stuck lately. Last week was especially rough, hence the lack of blogging. I can't and won't complain. I'm fortunate to not only have a job, but have TWO jobs, both of which I truly love and enjoy. That alone makes me so much better off than so many people right now. But let me tell you, I was mighty glad to see the weekend!

I woke up fairly early on Saturday - I may have gone to bed before 9 Friday night.... - and just enjoyed a quiet morning with a good cup of coffee and HGTV. The, something monumental happened. I had a $10 off coupon for DSW that expired Sunday so I headed to one of my favorite shoe stores with every intention of adding yet another pair of shoes to my ever growing collection. Instead, I left with nothing. I just didn't see anything I liked well enough to buy. How weird.

That turned out to be the trend of that particular shopping trip. I wandered into Old Navy which was (and as of late, has been...) a complete bust and the mall just didn't hold my attention. I need it to hold my attention - my fall wardrobe is lacking! Maybe this weekend...

I did score a few adorable Christmas decorations as Kirkland's and am currently practicing restraint in decorating for said holiday. Now that it's November 1 and the red cups are back at Starbucks, it's getting hard to resist temptation.

I also picked up Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck perfume. I went in search of it to smell it having heard a lot of positive reviews and I LOVED it. It comes in the prettiest bottle too.

It's a blend of flowers and berries and so light and girly. I may actually get my little sister the roller for Christmas. It surely smells better than the new Ed Hardy fragrance called 'Villain' that the saleslady chased me around the store with... She was the villain in that scenario.

Every November, I like to reflect each day on something I'm thankful for. Most of the time, it's a trivial thing, but if you think about it, the trivial things are what we take for granted on a day to day basis. So each day - in theory - I'm going to post something I'm thankful for and if you want to join in, please do.

Today, I'm thankful for my jobs. Sometimes, I complain. We all do. But I get to come to work and spend the day with a lot of really great, really creative people. I get to work in the field I went to school for and do something that I love. Then I get to come home and write about something I'm passionate about and share it with a national audience. Sometimes, that turns in to me getting to do some pretty cool things around Nashville's music community. I'm truly blessed. And so, I'm thankful for these opportunities.

Happy November 1st!

Pumpkin Carving and Flea Marketing

2011-10-24T08:23:00.001-05:00

Saturday afternoon, I searched every Redbox around my apartment complex in hopes of finding Bridesmaids to watch again. Even though my Vols were playing on ESPN 2, I figured my spirits would do better to watch a hilarious movie. It wasn't available in a single Redbox and nothing else appealed to me, so football it was.

At halftime, the scored tied 6-6 against Alabama - aka, the No. 2 team in the country - I was thinking 'Thank God I didn't find that movie.' I mean, an upset was brewing and darn it, I was going to witness it. And then the second half happened and things fell apart and we lost. Still proud to be a Vol, still have high hopes for what's to come. It's rough when you're playing the best teams in the country back to back with a slew of injuries to your best players and a lineup that's heavy on the freshmen and sophomores. Good things are coming for the Vols, just you wait.

Saturday morning, I went to the Nashville flea market. Naturally, I forgot my camera. If you're in the Nashville area, I recommend checking it out. It happens on the 3rd weekend of every month at the fairgrounds and there is everything from antiques (one huge expo hall full plus other vendors throughout the fair) to arts and crafts (all over the place!) to food (samples for days!). I think in December it's the 2nd weekend of the month, but don't quote me on that.

I surprisingly didn't buy much this go around. I picked up a gift each for the twins, scored a pretty great deal on candy and because I can't resist, bought a $10 gourmet candy apple. It had peanut butter on it - what's a girl to do?

I haven't carved a pumpkin in a few years. Painted, yes. Carved, no. I decided I'd do just that while watching football Saturday night. Here is the outcome:

Yep, that's Kenny Chesney on my pumpkin. GAC has some great pumpkin carving templates of country music stars and since I've been writing about them, I thought it only right to try one out. I love how it turned out! The other is from the stencil book I picked up at Walmart.

I roasted the pumpkin seeds when I was done. I'd never done that before - that's been my mama's job - but they turned out fantastic. I salted them down then got creative with the spices in my cabinet. I put garlic salt on a handful (not awful but not recommended), cinnamon on another handful (pretty good, especially mixed with the salt), and paprika on a small handful (delicious! Who'd have thought?).

Because my apartment complex doesn't allow us to put things out by our doors other than door mats and because of the way my patio is set up, there really isn't a place for my pumpkins outside aside from on the railing. I'm scared they'll fall off the railing and let's be honest, the little boys who live across from me are ornery despite their cuteness (water guns are their weapons of choice). I'm keeping them on either side of my fireplace. It looks pretty festive!

I took both pictures with my phone so they quality is lower, but you get the idea! I also have a big mirror to hang over the mantle but it's quite heavy and so I'm holding out for my dad's impending visit so he can hang it for me. Although I'm getting inpatient with that big blank white space so I may give it a whirl myself here soon...

Happy Monday!

First Timer

2011-10-21T14:51:00.000-05:00

I'd like to write something of some importance, but I just don't have it in me. My client I work with on site is a retail client and in just over a month, this little thing called Black Friday will go down, followed ever so closely by Christmas. So to say this is the busy time of the year would be an understatement. So I'm just going to post a bunch of random thoughts and call it a Friday.

- I made these last night and coated them with cream cheese icing - out of a can, gasp! - and brought them to work this morning. People raved. I felt like a superstar. There was also a significant amount of disbelief that I made them from a package. The thing is, I was craving pumpkin spice cookies and so I made them - they just got the fringe benefits.

- Speaking of pumpkin spice, my co-worker brought me a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks this morning. She's pretty much my favorite person in the entire world.

- I'm going to try planning my meals for next week. I'm a terrible grocery shopper and by the end of the week, I'm starting to search for food ideas based on what's in my pantry/fridge. Tonight's options include salad or a can of soup unless I decide to pick something up. Tips will be appreciated.

- I'm hoping this whole meal planning adventure will also help me mix up my menu. I eat the same 5 or so things all the time and I'm really just over it.

- My Vols are playing Alabama this weekend. For those who follow the SEC, you know this is one of the most anticipated games of the season every year if for no other reason than the history and tradition behind it. We're going in with a laundry list of injuries to our best players and we're picked to lose by a few touchdowns, but you know what? I still have faith that we can win. GO VOLS!

- It's not my intention for all of these photos to be orange. It's just turning out that way.

- This weekend is the 'big' flea market weekend here in Nashville. The flea market is the 3rd weekend of every month and apparently this is the one where all the Christmas vendors come out. I'm already plotting what I hope to find.

- I have another 20% off coupon for Off Broadway Shoes this weekend. God clearly wants me to buy shoes. I can't tell him no.

- We've hooked up a TV and a Wii in the office. Bowling is going down. We're calling it product research.

- Christmas decor is on my mind and so I'm going to take a trip to Hobby Lobby after work. I also want to spruce up my desk space some more. My co-worker (she's just been here two weeks) has the cutest little set up developing at her desk. I need to catch up.

- Continuing the shopping theme that has apparently developed, I bought the Zulilly deal on Erin Condren. I was planning to purchase some stationary from her for the holidays so how perfect was the timing?

- Lastly, I'd really love it if my iPhone 4s would hurry up and ship. I still have another week according to Verizon. My Droid is dying a little more by the day so the sooner, the better.

- I've got so many posts I want to do. Maybe I can knock some of them out this weekend and schedule them to go up throughout this week.

- Happy weekend!

Happiness Is Erin Condren

2011-10-17T09:30:00.000-05:00

I was going to write this post last Monday but last Monday - and every day after that - was busy. So this Monday it is. I could have scrapped it because you know, you've probably read at least one other post like this one lately, but I am so in love that I just have to share. In love with a boy you ask? No, sadly. At least not today. In love with my Erin Condren planner? Why yes, most definitely.

I can't function without organization. Lists, calendars, spread sheets... These are the things that make my life go around. I get it honest. My daddy always has a to do list on him. Except he writes his on the back of business cards, receipts, scraps of cardboard - well, anything he can find, really - and either sticks it in his wallet or clips it to the sun visor in his truck. On a good day, he uses a Post It note.

I bought a planner a while back. I picked it up at Target. It was pink. It had most everything I needed. It was around the time I started seeing these Erin Condren Life Planners popping up in blogs and my Twitter/Facebook feeds. I drooled over them for about 2 months, trying to be rational seeing as I'd already bought a planner. But being rational has never been my strong suite (I mean, have you seen my shoe collection?) and so, I ordered my Erin Condren planner. I mean, it's PERSONALIZED. And I love any and all things personalized.

Waiting for this piece of magic to get to Nashville from California was painful. Did I mention I'm not patient? I'm not. At all. I'm all about instant gratification. I'm working on that. And failing, but that's another blog post.

The day my planner was scheduled to arrive, I checked the FedEx tracking obsessively while at work. When it popped up as delivered and signed for by the name I recognized as belonging to one of the ladies in my apartment's leasing office, I got downright giddy. The problem? I get off of work at 5:00. The leasing office closes at 6:00. I live 30 minutes away, but by the time I get to my car, it's already closer to 5:15. Then there's Nashville traffic. Normally, it's not bad in the evenings, at least on my route home. So naturally, it was bumper to bumper, no one going anywhere, sorry, Sarah, you're not getting home before 6:00 bad.

I threw in the towel after a number of choice words and sucked up the fact that I wouldn't get my planner that night. I kept reminding myself that if my biggest issue was having to wait another day to get my hands on a $50 planner, than I was doing okay. But I'm not patient, remember? I ran a few errands and then headed home. And lo and behold, my planner was waiting at my door! The FedEx guy NEVER leaves things at the door - and truthfully, despite how safe I feel in my complex, I prefer it that way, you just never know - but he left my planner! He hid it under my Halloween door mat. Because, you know, that totally disguised it and all.

Look at the packaging! How fun is that? So much better than you standard brown or white box.

Erin and her team pay exceptional attention to brand detail. You know you're a PR person when you notice this.

Even Skittles the cat couldn't wait to see what was inside.

Open the lid and ta da! Happiness!

Personalized gift labels are included in each package as a free gift. Again, attention to brand detail.

It was wrapped in orange! Erin knows the way to this Tennessee girl's heart, ha!

There it is! My planner! And the matching notebooks!

Love at first sight.

All of my goodies - planner, label, notebooks, Erin's business card...

My notebooks. So glad I ordered these - they've already come in handy.

My free gift labels. So cute! I'll use these the next time I take baked goods to work. Which I had intended to be today, but that didn't happen. What they don't know won't hurt them.

Meanwhile, as I explored the contents of my pretty package, Skittles discovered bubble wrap. All was well until she popped her first bubble. I didn't see her for a while after that.

The inside front cover. I love the 'This Is My Life' page. I used a Sharpie to write my name and contact info in case it were to get lost.

The planner is quite thick. And it has tabs! I do wish the tabs were laminated which I see is a common complaint. Mine were already the slightest bit worn from shipping. Before I wrote so much as a letter in it, I used packing tape to 'laminate' them. It worked like a charm. I recommend it.

Inspirational quotes are all throughout the planner and we all know I love my quotes.

There is a section for special dates. I really love this - it's great to look at a month and see 'Mama's birthday is on the 5th, Candi's is on the 12th...'

There is a month view which I find helpful for writing appointments and such on - great when you just need to glance and see if you have anything major planned for a day. Plus, more quotes!

Each month is then broken down by day and each day is broken into 'morning' 'day' and 'night' which makes it so easy to plan your day. There are nifty goals and to do lists on the side which I use religiously. There is also a lined notes page at the beginning of the month.

There are several blank pages in the back for making notes.

This is one of the best, most comprehensive 'important numbers' lists I have came across. Take airlines, for example. Erin has the major carriers listed, like Delta, United, but she also has smaller carriers, not to mention things like credit card company numbers.

You have a spot to record your personal important numbers too - doctors, dentists, you name it. There are also stickers for important dates like birthdays and parties!

The stickers are a great addition to this planner.

Erin also included two pages of blank stickers in case you run out of the pre-made ones or have something you want to mark. I'll likely use these for special assignments, etc.

This great little 'keep it together' folder is really handy. Its two-sided so I'll use one side for my notebook and the other for any sort of stray paper I need to keep up with or perhaps stationary.

In the very back is a clear zip up pouch which contained all sorts of more free goodies!

2013 and 2014 calendars for those of us who like to plan for the future!

Free goodies from the pouch! Such cute labels and 'call me' cards as well as Erin's card that gives discounts. I've already passed the ones I had to co-workers who ooh'd and aww'd over my new planner.

I've had my Erin Condren planner for a week now and I love it. It is pricey, but it was worth every penny, especially for someone like me who uses it religiously. My one piece of criticism, as I've mentioned, is the tabs not being laminated. I've been reading a lot of the same and know Erin and her team are looking into options for next year's planner based off of her responses. It was actually her reply to a user recommending packing tape or label covers that inspired me to use the packing tape.

Erin's customer service is phenomenal, by the way. Whether I was asking a question about the planner itself or just tweeted something like 'My @erincondren planner came today!!' she responded. I see her responding on Facebeook as well and have every intention of ordering again very soon - as soon as I narrow it down to which print stationary I want. It took 2 days to choose a planner and there were nowhere as many options as stationary so I could be in trouble here.

If you're in the market for a good planner or on the fence about Erin's, I'm giving you a little push in the Erin Condren direction. It was a great purchase on my part.

What Day Is It?

2011-10-14T09:59:00.002-05:00

It's Friday, but it really doesn't feel like Friday. I'm not complaining in the least but it feels like it should be Wednesday.

It's been one of the busiest weeks I've had in a while. Everyone in my department is essentially traveling at some point this week which made Monday, the one day we were all in office, quite busy. Tuesday through yesterday, I was in Atlanta on business. I had blog posts planned for this week but there just wasn't time to write them. On the bright side, they're there for next week!

Last Friday, I got this little beauty in the mail:

Yep, that's an Erin Condren planner. Also known as happiness in a cheerful box. It's definitely love. More on that to come.

I've been having quite the disagreement with my phone lately. I've had a Droid X for over a year now and for the most part, it's been great. However, it started running painfully slow. That was temporarily rectified by a massive software update. It has now returned to snail's pace and has developed a fun new habit of shutting itself on and off at will. At first I thought it was due to my listening to music since that seemed to be the only time it shut down but I can now add while talking on the phone and while it's 'sleep' to the list.

I was going to keep it though. I really was. Verizon had me slated for an upgrade in May of next year. It wasn't going to be pretty, but I have an iPhone3 for work and so I could deal until I could upgrade to an iPhone 4 at a discounted price. But then, when I logged in to pay my bill this AM, I saw this beautiful notification that I can upgrade at a discounted price. iPhone 4s, you will be mine shortly. So exciting!

My great plan now is to go to the Verizon down the street at lunchtime on the off chance I can score one. I'm banking on the fact that my office is in a less than upscale part of Nashville and that store is generally dead as a door nail. We'll see how this turns out. I'm sure I'll tweet the outcome, ha! If not, I'll either try a couple more stores or just order online and deal with the wait time. In fact, I might just do that.

I've got a lot of options of things to do tomorrow. The Bell Buckle craft festival is happening for starters. Then I have an invitation to go out with some friends. There's also the Tennessee/LSU game which I'm trying hard to remain positive about. Is it bad that what I REALLY want to do is hole up in my apartment and do nothing? I may do just that too. It's been such a chaotic week that a day or two of 'me' time might be in order.

Happy weekend, everyone!

A Senseless Post

2011-10-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

It's Friday, I've got my boots on, and I have every intention of getting Chick-Fil-A for dinner tonight. It's a good day.

I need all of these.

I'm anxiously awaiting tomorrow. I've got a sorority alumni event in the morning followed by an afternoon of shopping. Then there's a rather big football game going down in Knoxville between Tennessee and Georgia. I'm going to miss at least half of it though because I'm going to be at my happy place - the Grand Ole Opry! More on that next week - it's a big night! Little Jimmy Dickens is on the schedule and I just love him! I want to be half as cool as him when I'm 90.

My little brother and sister are middle schoolers now which is hard to believe. Everything is much more dramatic, of course. Examples:

- Brother got in trouble for telling a fellow classmate cargo shorts weren't cool. He still doesn't understand what was wrong with that statement.

- Sister and Mama have this ongoing battle where Sister doesn't put her clothes in the hampers to be washed. In an effort to 'teach her a lesson,' Mama has stopped going in search of them. Sister was left with either yoga pants or shorts to wear this morning. Sister had planned to wear skinny jeans and cowboy boots. Mama told her to 'just wear your boots with your yoga pants.' Stepdad confirmed via text that the argument that followed was not pretty.

- The twins saw their first 'girl fight' this week. Apparently it was over gum and the girls came away with bloody noses and ripped clothing. Being the sheltered children they are, they'd never seen anything like it. Brother can't stop talking about it. Sister said she could have taken them both. I think Sister might be the cause of the gray hair appearing on Mama and Step dad's heads. I also think the girls involved need a Come to Jesus meeting. How unnecessary.

According to FedEx, my Erin Condren planner should be waiting for me when I get home. Do you know how excited I am? It has been the longest two weeks, waiting on that thing. I am just not patient enough to wait for things to be shipped from California, especially when they're personalized.

And lastly, I will be attempting chicken and dumplings in the crockpot again this weekend. This time, with the pot IN the crockpot. I need to redeem myself.

The Time My Cat's Foot Fell Off

2011-10-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

You've probably read some of my posts/tweets about my cat, Skittles. Don't worry - all of Skittles' paws are still attached. Although it does look like her days with claws are numbered as she's developed a fun little habit of scratching me in my sleep. Anyway...

She's kinda cute when not terrorizing me.

Skittles is a real mess. Besides clawing me in the middle of the night she likes to do the following: Attack the shower curtain, rummage through the blinds, open cabinets, climb inside and then get trapped, jump into the refrigerator if the door is left open longer than 5 seconds, drop any number of items in the toilet, play fetch (yep, fetch) at midnight and as of late, has come rather possessive over the bedroom window.

Pipe cleaners? Totally acceptable for the toilet.

Speaking of the bedroom windows - I can no longer open those more than a couple of inches as she has discovered that by pushing hard enough, she can knock the screens out and escape. I was mad enough Saturday to let her tough out the Nashville streets on her own. But instead I found her in the next breezeway over and she protested loudly when I scooped her up and brought her back to my apartment. Neither of us escaped that incident unscathed.

When I was little, I had a cat that looked almost identical to Skittles. Her name was Barbara. Go ahead, laugh. Then I'll tell you her brother's name. It was Wayne. Barbara & Wayne, named after my daddy's friend Wayne who had a band. He was the lead singer and Barbara sang harmony. See? I was even into music back then.

When I was six, poor Wayne passed away. He drowned in the reflection pool on the estate my dad manages, where we also lived when I was a kid. The pond is dyed black, has water lilies and is full of gold fish. It took my parents a couple of weeks to admit to me he died. It took them even longer - as in, until two years ago, to finally fess up as to how.

Anyway, let's talk about Barbara.

Barbara was a good cat. She didn't attack in the middle of the night and liked to earn her keep by catching field mice. She also liked to wander through the gardens - there are a LOT of gardens on this estate. Then, one day, Barbara went missing. Insert hysterical six year old here. No other kids lived on the estate and I was an only child. The cat was pretty much all I had. Hopefully that's not a precusor of things to come, but I digress.

Several days later, I got off the school bus and Mama is waiting for me like always. She happily tells me that Barbara has been found by one of Daddy's workers. BUT. Her foot had a 'boo boo.' A boo boo? That's cool. Put one of my Disney Band-Aids on and we're back in business.

Now remember that I'm all of six years old. That's a real important part of this.

Barbara, it turned out, had been roaming the gardens and had the unfortunate fate of stepping into a steel trap while climbing through the boxwood. I know how horrible that sounds. The ground hogs were out of control and there are VERY expensive sculptures throughout the gardens that the ground hogs were damaging by chewing on them. It was a last, short-lived, resort.

Barbara was resting on the couch with a big bandage on her foot when I got into the house but was happy and content and life went on. Her foot started healing - or so I thought. It became rock hard. She clicked when she walked - kind of like she was wearing one high heel. My parents assured me this was all very normal and that she was going to be just fine. It was a 'boo boo' after all and my 'boo boos' healed just fine.

One day, I was playing outside. Mama called me to come in and having developed a habit of not letting Barbara out of my site if I could help it, I went to fetch her from where she was hiding out - again in the boxwood, but this time at our house instead of the gardens, sans steel traps. I slipped between two of the boxwoods and picked her up.

Her foot fell off.

You read that right. Her foot. fell. off. As in, I picked up the cat and her rock hard foot hit the ground - without a cat attached to it.

I screamed bloody murder. I remember it clearly. The security guard was doing his hourly pass around the property and heard me so he came to check things out. He found me, holding a squirming cat, sobbing hysterically and begging my daddy to 'superglue it back on.' He also found two parents hardly able to control their urge to laugh.

As it turned out, my parents knew this was going to happen. They had taken her to the vet after she'd been found and he had told them, basically, that she had gone too long with the circulation cut off and the foot had, in the most basic terms, died. Seeing as I was six, my parents didn't want to 'frighten' me with this and hoped the foot would fall off while I was at school. That obviously worked out well for them.

Barbara went on to live a long, happy, three-legged life. My dad, who witnessed the whole thing from across the driveway, counts this as one of his favorite stories to tell. Regardless of how traumatized I was over the whole thing. He can't make it through without laughing uncontrollably.

I told this story to Gracie Beth one night and she laughed forever, even quoted me on Facebook. My parent had good intentions of not telling me about Barbara's fate - or Wayne's, or that they were really just so sick and tired of watching the Wizard of Oz on repeat that they hid it in their dresser drawer and told me the tape broke. I'm not sure I would have believed them if they had told me.

I still kinda wish Daddy had tried to superglue the foot on though. That'd really complete this story.

I'll leave you with one last picture of Skittles, an orange tabby who has all of her paws. This photo? This photo sums her up perfectly.

Crockpot Fail

2011-10-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

Today is trying hard to be the Monday that gives Monday its reputation. There was a major accident on the interstate this AM that backed up traffic for miles, Facebook brand pages are being temperamental and it is COLD in this office building - 58 at 8am and only up to 65 now. This girl isn't made for temperatures below 75.

But I've got new booties on, the weather is gorgeous and a new Gossip Girl comes on tonight so I'm not letting Monday win. So there, Monday. Take that.

I had a busy weekend. My friend had knee surgery Friday so I stayed with her Friday night in case something were to happen overnight. She did remarkably well however and aside from the giant bandage and the ice machine attached to it, you'd never know she'd just had surgery.

Saturday was a beautiful day. I spent most of the early afternoon at my friend's and then I went shoe shopping! I picked up a couple pairs of adorable shoes for my collection at Off Broadway's 20% off sale then spent the rest of the evening catching up on all the things I didn't have time to do during the week. Plus, the Vols won in convincing fashion. I'm already getting pumped about this weekend's game against Georgia.

Sunday, I posted this picture on Facebook:

I was quite excited to use my crockpot for the first time. Grandma gave it to me for Christmas and I hadn't used it yet. I've been itching to pull it out so Saturday, I bought everything I needed for chicken & dumplings (first time I've ever made them on my own!) and made it a point of taking the pot out Saturday night to add to my dishwasher before I ran it, seeing as it had never been used and was a little dusty.

Sunday morning, I added the ingredients, plugged it in and went on my merry way, cup of french vanilla coffee with pumpkin spice creamer (also known as a little slice of Heaven) in hand.

45 minutes later or so, I returned to find broth EVERYWHERE. I mopped it up then did the only logical thing - I called my mom to see what had happened. I couldn't figure it out. It didn't look like it had boiled over. After telling me several times she didn't know, she gave me some 'sometimes chicken does that' excuse since I wouldn't drop it. I mentioned that the top didn't quite fit and speculated that the lid must have warped in the dishwasher.

A little while later, I called her back. I hadn't added the biscuits yet but it was really thick and I didn't know what to do. She advised me to add a 1/2 cup of water. Seemed to do the trick and I was satisfied.

The chicken & dumplings turned out pretty good. They needed a little 'something' but for a first time, they weren't bad.

Last night, around 11, I thought 'maybe I should draw some water in the pot for it to soak overnight.' I went into the kitchen to remove the pot from the crockpot and... I never even put the pot IN the crockpot to begin with. That's right. That big, black ceramic bowl was still hanging out in the dishwasher and the mysteries surrounding broth all over the counter and misfitted lids were solved.

My mom howled laughing when I told her this morning. She has proceeded to tell her entire office because she's a good mom like that. Do you know how many times I opened the dishwasher yesterday and never noticed? I even opened it to get the lid out!

I've had a lot of domestic successes lately so I reckon I was destined for a failure sooner or later. But you can bet I won't do it again.

Happy Monday, y'all!

Generally Superficial Things

2011-09-30T12:30:00.000-05:00

Today, I really love a lot of generally superficial things. I realized that this morning. I don't know if it's the beautiful fall weather, the fact that I'm wearing some of my favorite things or that I'm having a great hair day, but I have been in a pretty chipper mood today.

I had pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee this morning, traffic was light, I pulled into my parking spot just as a Luke Bryan song played its last note, a sure sign this is destined to be a good day, the air is crisp and it's Friday. Plus, tomorrow it'll be Football Time in Tennessee. What more does a girl need?

(The answer? These. I NEED these.)

It is supposed to be cool and crisp this weekend, just like October should be. I'm going to pull out my Halloween decorations, hopefully finish my labor-intensive Halloween wreath and I might just break out my crock pot for the first time if I can decide between chicken and dumplings and corn chowder.

I have to share these couple of pictures with you. My cousin Kiley is a senior in high school and just had her senior portraits done. They are STUNNING. I love this girl so much. She was born on my 8th birthday so we've always had that as a bond. She and I have a lot of similarities and she's just fun to hang out with. Even though I'm closer to her - and the rest of her fam - and everyone else in our very large family, Nashville is still 9 hours too far from Bentonville!

She's talking about going to an SEC college and going through sorority recruitment. Even if it IS Arkansas she desperately wants to go to... She also tweeted something the other day that she was working on and said 'journalist at heart.' I've chose to believe she's following in my footsteps, ha.

Take a look at her stunning photos by the very talented Brenda Wyatt.

Today is the very last day of Katie's 30 Day Challenge! It went by so fast. The last topic of the challenge is to share a photo we love. My favorite photo is an oldie of my dad and I at the beach that is currently in my bedroom so I'll just share a few happy photos from Pinterest. (Love their updated site!) Deal? Deal.

Reminds me so much of my horse and I when I was growing up.

Reminds me of home in the fall.

I want to be this couple one day.

This slays me. One of the most beautiful and heartbreaking photos.

God Bless America.

Like Johnnie & Kitty

2011-09-28T11:08:00.001-05:00

If you've been reading this little 'ol blog of mine for any length of time, you'll know I have a mild obsession with Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, specifically their love story although their music is pretty great too. As much as I want a love like that, I really wouldn't mind having a love like Johnnie & Kitty.

Johnnie Wright & Kitty Wells

You probably don't know who Johnnie Wright is. He was a country star in the 50s and 60s, one half of a duo called Johnnie & Jack. After Jack died in a car accident (on his way to Patsy Cline's funeral, ironically enough), Johnnie played as a solo act. He went by 'Johnny Wright' as a solo artist, thanks to a misspelling of his first name on an album and a decision that it was easier to spell his first name that way. You've probably heard of his wife, however. Kitty Wells, the Queen of Country Music.

Johnnie passed away earlier this week. He was 97. And while he and Kitty had a lot of musical accomplishments between them, their greatest accomplishment of all was their marriage. They were married for 74 years. In a day and age where half of marriages don't make it and virtually no celebrity marriages last, this is a beautiful thing.

I wrote an obituary on Johnnie for GAC Tuesday night. You can read it here. But what really struck me as I was doing my research was just how much Johnnie loved and cared for Kitty. It was little things, like taking the top bunk in the bus so she could have the lower one. It was big things, like giving her headliner status at shows when everyone told him a woman wouldn't sell tickets (she did). And though they played their last show on the last day of 2000, to this day there's a tour bus parked in their driveway - 'just in case.'

So while I still want a great love like Johnny and June's, I really wouldn't mind having one like Johnnie & Kitty either.

And how was that for a country music history lesson?

Last night, I had dinner with a sweet friend I've met through blogging. Nicole and I had dinner at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville and were so smart as to forget to check things like the Preds hockey schedule. Parking was insane! But we had a great time - laughed hysterically at the pirate on stilts and his balloon hats! - and plan to get together again soon. Don't you just love blogging?

Funny enough, when Nicole got home, she found her mother, who had just discovered Pinterest, working on a craft project. She told Nicole it was pinned by 'some girl named Sarah Wyland' to which Nicole burst out laughing and told her mom she had just had dinner with me. I very much feel like a celebrity now. And that my Pinterest love is paying off!

I was entirely too busy for my own good yesterday, so didn't get around to blogging. To tell the truth, I have PLENTY I should be doing instead of this post. But... I'm doing this post.

Yesterday's topic in Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge (which ends tomorrow, oh my!) was favorite books.

Now that I'm out of college, I can actually read for pleasure. Imagine that. I certainly forgot what it was like not to be knee deep in books on media law and the history of journalism. My absolute favorite books are the Harry Potter series.

I don't know how many times I've read each of them but each time I find something else about them I missed before, some little piece to the puzzle or some small detail. J.K. Rowling is just incredible. Like so many others, I still keep fingers crossed that there is the slightest, tiniest possibility there may one day be another book.

Other good books I've read lately - The Help. Oh my goodness, what a book. I still need to see the movie, but I just LOVED this book. I keep meaning to send it to my mom to read. I may actually read it again first. Also, Whistlin' Dixie In A Nor'easter. Long story short, a Southern Belle moves to Vermont and chaos ensues. There's a sequel that just came out I keep meaning to pick up. And the author lives just down the road from me in Franklin!

Today's topic - 3 things you can't live without. I'm going to go with the trivial things because I think your family and friends are the most important and a 'given' on the list of can't live withouts

1. Coffee.

I'm just not okay in the mornings without my coffee. I have pumpkin spice AND peppermint mocha creamer in my fridge right now to boot. That's just happiness in a cup.

2. My Phone

I am one of those people. I have to have my phone with me. Emails, texts, tweets, Facebook, calls... I can't miss them. Plus I can browse the internet and play Angry Birds. What more does a girl need? Just don't leave me a voicemail. I'm anti-voicemail and probably won't even listen to it for days. I'll just call you back when I see the missed number.

3. Music

It just makes life complete.

Monday Night TV

2011-09-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

Did anyone catch the season premiere of Gossip Girl last night? What about the series premiere of Hart of Dixie? I have been anxiously awaiting the return of GG since the finale. It is the one series show that I simply must watch. Others, I tune in and out on, but GG has me in my seat on Monday nights. Even though I was clicking back and forth between that and the Cowboys/Redskins on Monday Night Football.

I'm not sure if I thought the premiere was great. It was good enough and the scenery was gorgeous in the LA scenes, but I don't know that it really told much in the way of a story. What it did do was set up where the characters are and what they've been up to which I guess is the point of the story. I've never been a big fan of Louie and the actor playing him didn't much impress me last night so I'm anxious for that storyline to go on its merry way. But I am, admittedly, a Chuck & Blair fan. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet, but if you have, I'd love to know what you thought of the episode!

And what about Hart of Dixie? I think I've found another show to get into. My whole family was all excited to watch Two and a Half Men last night - and flooded my email with 'did you watch?' emails this morning - but I really wanted to check out Hart of Dixie. I LOVED it. I loved the setting, the cast, the soundtrack... Blue Bell, Alabama reminded me so much of home and how I grew up.

I do have 3 complaints about the show though. 1) Who in the heck came up with the name 'Lemon?' 2) Lemon's hair at her engagement party bugged me to no end - so old-fashioned and 3) Could there BE any more 'Roll Tide' stuff? Okay... So No. 3 is just the Vol in me. :)

The show definitely got me re-obsessed with Sugarland's "Little Miss." It had a very country soundtrack and the songs were so well placed. I've listened to "Little Miss" a few times since last night.

Today's topic is 3 Wishes.

1.) To be happy. I've said it several times, happiness is my ultimate life goal.

2.) To fall in love and live as happily ever after as much as is possible in real life with a little family and a home to call my own.

3.) For my little brother and sister to grow up to 'be somebody.'

I'm not a big Rascal Flatts fan, but I do love the chorus of their song "My Wish." I thought I'd leave you with it today because it basically is MY wish - for myself, my family, my friends and all of you reading this.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

Foodie Weekend

2011-09-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

I did some cooking and some baking this weekend. I was getting tired of the 'same old same' for dinner - usually a salad or some sort of chicken/vegetable combo - so I did the only logical thing to find something new for dinner. I went on Pinterest.

I looked through the many recipes I've saved and settled on cheesy chicken, bacon and avocado quesadillas.

You can find the recipe I used here. It's pretty easy - cook the chicken, bake the bacon, scoop on some avocado, put in a wrap and drop into some oil/bacon grease briefly. I used wheat tortillas and seasoned the chicken with a little Cajun spice which added just enough kick. I also dropped it in canola oil. Even though it's fried, it's still relatively healthy, all things considered. And SO good. In fact, I may have it again tonight!

I also made these little beauties.

Cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins, just like the ones at Starbucks. I got the recipe from Annie's Eats. I followed it almost to a 'T' except instead of all-purpose flour, I used self-rising and left out the salt and baking powder per my momma's recommendation. I did use the all-purpose for the topping, however. There are no words for how yummy these turned out. My co-workers are enjoying them as I type this.

Confession: This was the first time I've ever made anything from scratch. My momma and my grandma can both throw together just about anything from scratch, but both of them are also guilty of using a box. Momma does it for time sake and Grandma... Well, she uses a box but by the time she's done adding in things it's basically from scratch so maybe that doesn't really count.

I have to say, even though it was time-consuming, I LOVED baking from scratch. I found it oddly therapeutic. I'll be doing this whole from scratch thing a lot more often. In college especially it was easier to just tear open a box of cake mix and call it a day. I'm a convert for sure. Except if I'm pressed for time. Then, box all the way.

Today's topic? Best Concert You've Ever Been To.

Well now. How am I supposed to answer that? I've been to a LOT of concerts, from dive bar gigs to industry showcases to huge productions. Let's see if I can pick a couple of standouts.

I just posted about my Taylor Swift concert experience. That was definitely a top 5. Other standouts...

I took my mom to see George Strait for her Christmas present one year. Taylor actually opened for him - she had just released her debut album a few weeks earlier and me and maybe one other person knew who she was. George played in the round (stage in the middle of the arena) and had very little production. It was him, his band and his songs. It was one of the most incredible concerts I've ever been to. For one, it was George. Strait. But also, it was such a definition of the power of a song. He didn't need the smoke and mirrors. He just sang and people listened. It was an incredible experience.

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood's co-headlining 'Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride' was pretty great too. Carrie was great which took me by surprise - I was expecting her to kind of just stand there like she does on award shows. Loved her music but didn't place her as an entertainer until that show. After you've heard her cover Guns N Roses, there's no room for doubt. And Keith... Keith is an experience. He's so talented and so charismatic... You're just glued to him the whole time. And then there's the whole boy with a guitar thing...

Another pretty great show was Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates stop in Virginia Beach a few years back. Kenny Chesney. On the beach. I had VIP passes and I was just old enough to have an adult drink. That was a good night.

Do The Shuffle

2011-09-25T11:47:00.001-05:00

I'm in the mood to bake today. It just so happens that I have the ingredients to make both pumpkin spice cookies with cream cheese frosting AND pumpkin cream cheese filled muffins. I've made the cookies before but I've never made muffins from scratch. I'll share how that goes. It's looking like my co-workers could be very fortunate tomorrow morning.

Last night, I ordered an Erin Condren planner and matching notebooks. Choosing a design was harder than fixing this country's economy. I honestly think it took me over an hour - after I got it narrowed down to two. Now I have to pretend to be patient while I wait for it to arrive. I've already picked out my next order from Erin as well as a few products I think could be great Christmas presents. I think I might be addicted!

For today's 30 Day Challenge, Katie wants us to put our iTunes on shuffle and list the first 10 songs that come on. So here we go. I admittedly did this twice since initially I had it on my purchased playlist and the same artists were coming up over and over. I love Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen and Chris Young but I was hoping for some variety!

"Stupid Boy" - Keith Urban
"A Buncha Girls" - Frankie Ballard
"Rocky Top" - Charlie Daniels Band (I'm a Vol, what can I say?)
"Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" - Taylor Swift
"No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem" - Kenny Chesney
"Chicken & Biscuits" - Colt Ford
"Wide Awake" - Jake Owen
"Somethin' 'Bout A Truck" - Kip Moore
"Ain't Back Yet" - Kenny Chesney
"Kick It In The Sticks" - Brantley Gilbert

I think the fact that there is only 2 Kenny Chesney songs on this list is a small wonder. I've got every song he's released as far as I know.

In other news, my cat is thisclose to getting an eviction notice this morning. Any takers? Ha!

Just A Shoppin'

2011-09-24T17:33:00.000-05:00

Today, Katie wants to know where we like to shop as part of her 30 day challenge. Once upon a time, I wasn't much of a shopper. I don't know what happened but lately, it's ALL I do on the weekend. I don't necessarily buy all that much, but I can shop up a storm. I just came in from shopping, to be honest.

For home decor, I go here (a lot):

A child in a toy store has more restraint than I do in a Hobby Lobby. The other day, I went in to buy pumpkins for fall. The pumpkins were 40% off and the most expensive one I bought was $4. I spent $40. See? No restraint. Kirkland's is great for home decor as well and especially seasonal decor. I've bought a few cute fall things there recently and I always find cute gifts. Both places area also always marking prices down. I've learned to never pay full price - wait a week or two and it'll be marked down.

When it comes to clothes, I don't have a 'go to' place but some of the places I frequent:

I have mad love for Old Navy's v-neck t-shirts they have right now. They're SO soft. That being said, I haven't been super impressed with Old Navy lately, especially from a quality standpoint. I tend to buy a lot of my layering pieces there and they just aren't made to be washed and worn a lot so I end up donating a lot at the end of each season.

Who DOESN'T love Target? You know the best part? It's exactly 4 miles from my apartment. I checked it on the mileage counter thing in my car.

I buy a lot of work clothes at New York & Co. Love their pants - when I can find them in petite as I'm not exactly tall. Big fan of their dresses.

I really love Forever 21 especially for accessories. Again not the highest quality when it comes to clothing, but at the same time, I find some of my favorite pieces there.

Other places I love to shop - TJ Maxx (although more for house stuff and shoes than clothes - I hate digging through the racks), DSW, Off Broadway Shoes, J Crew and some Banana Republic. A Nordstrom just opened in Nashville but it is CRAZY over there right now. It's only been open a week so I'm letting the novelty wear off before I check it out.

Hobby Lobby Is My Hobby

2011-09-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was one of those days where I just flat BUSY. I had a lot going on at work and then I had a program with Musicians On Call. I'll have to write about that organization soon. I can't begin to describe how much I love working with them. Once I was done volunteering, I stopped by Walmart to get the stuff I needed to bake a pumpkin cake, came home, had dinner, baked said cake and then did a lot of GAC work. See? Busy.

Check out this cake though. Some guy is going to be so lucky to marry me. It was delicious. And served at work for breakfast.

It admittedly came out of a box. I just didn't have time to make anything from scratch. I ended up slicing it before I brought it in to work this morning since it was a little off kilter and that sort of thing drives my Type A personality nuts. It went over quite well.

Since I was so busy yesterday, I'm playing catch up on Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge.

The topic yesterday was Hobbies. My hobby is, essentially, Hobby Lobby.

We don't have Hobby Lobby in Virginia. I think there is one just over the state line from Tennessee, but that's it. I kept seeing people posting about Hobby Lobby - the cute house decor, the craft supplies... First thing I did when I moved to Nashville was invade Hobby Lobby and I have become a regular.

I love that store. I. Love. It. There is one right by my office. Isn't that just convenient? I've bought so much fall decor and spent hardly nothing and I've decorated almost my whole apartment from there - and Kirkland's. I love their prices and everyone is always friendly that works there. I also love that they're closed on Sunday for worship. Except, of course, when I'm dying to go on a Sunday.

I do a lot of DIY projects so the fact that their supplies are usually on sale and if not, they have a 40% coupon most of the time, really helps in that arena. I'm working on a wreath now that I'm determined to finish this weekend. I'll share when I do - it's adorable and I got most of my supplies at Hobby Lobby 50% off!

Other hobbies - I write a lot. Not just blogs and articles but actual 'stuff.' Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share it. I also listen to music All. The. Time. and really love going to live shows around Nashville, especially songwriter nights.

Today's topic? Favorite Blog Hop.

I don't participate in many. I haven't done one in quite a while, actually. But there are so many cute ones out there that I may have to start, especially some of those Pinterest ones.

Happy fall, by the way! I think I'll celebrate by picking up a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks on my way home.

And just so you know, I'm still listening to Charlie Worsham's EP. I haven't been this into an EP since Luke Bryan's back before his first album came out.

If It's Not On A List

2011-09-21T10:24:00.000-05:00

Last night, I sent the following tweet to one of my best friends:

"Come take my earphones away from me. I've seriously listened to this EP 4 times just in the last 2 hours."

Granted, she lives in Washington and wasn't going to fly to Tennessee because I couldn't drag myself away from iTunes, but I have seriously listened to Charlie Worsham's 5 song EP on repeat since Sunday. It is that good.

I love finding new artists that aren't 'big' yet. I was listening to Luke Bryan, Jake Owen and some chick named Taylor Swift well before anyone had heard of them. I've got a selection of artists I'm listening to now that I hope I can say the same about in another few years, Charlie being one of them. If you're in the market for something new music-wise, pick up his EP on iTunes. It's the best $3.99 you'll spend all week. Unless you buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte in which case THAT will be the best $4/5 you spend all week. Sorry, Charlie, but it's true.

Here's my favorite track from the EP, "Trouble Is," which I already shared once this week. See? I really like it.

In other news, Taylor Swift announced this morning that she's releasing a live CD/DVD of her Speak Now World Tour. I won't even pretend I'm not buying it. It comes out November 21, I believe. Just before Black Friday. Smart girl, that Taylor.

Today, Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge wants to know what stresses us out. I'm a pretty calm person most of the time but there are a couple things that throw me into complete chaos.

I cannot deal with clutter. My apartment, my desk at work... Spotless. I can't stand anything less. It might be a little dusty from time to time, but it'll be tidy. My parents are the same way. My little sister... Not so much. When I go home, I usually end up sleeping on the sofa or in my brother's room instead of the extra bed in Sister's room just because it usually looks like Hurricane Katrina returned for an encore. I will never be a hoarder, obviously.

I also hate when I have a plan - a list, a schedule, whatever - and it gets thrown off kilter. Nothing stresses me out more than, say, a meeting running over it's allotted time and I have 25 other things I need to do that day. I function on lists, schedules and organization. And caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine.

After typing these last two paragraphs I think it's pretty clear I have OCD tendencies. It is what it is.

Now for Neely and Amber's Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge!

Today they're asking us to share Halloween traditions and/or a Halloween memory.

My Granny, my entire life 25 years of life, has dressed up like a clown. We're talking full clown too. Makeup, wig, the whole 9. I love it. I've got a LOT of cousins and growing up, we'd throw hay bales on the back of a truck and go trick-or-treating around our community. You wouldn't believe the amount of candy we'd get. It's fun to see my brother and sister and younger set of cousins continuing the tradition. My stepdad has a 'new' truck this year and they're lobbying to have a trailer pulled behind it with the hay bales. I don't think they'll win, but I'm on their side.

Growing up, there was also this sweet old lady who kept a record of each kid's costume from year to year. She has long since passed away, but she had this little notebook and she'd look back in it and say 'Miss Sarah, you were a gift wrap package last year, I remember that!' and then write down that year's costume on a fresh page. Looking back, I guess it was a little strange but all the same, a tradition!

Headband Curls

2011-09-20T09:28:00.001-05:00

First things first. My Big has a new blog! Please go visit Memphis Belle Today. She talks makeup in her first post. Heed her makeup advice - she might be having a 'Reba when it was big and curly' hair day (I say this with absolute love!) but her makeup will look flawless!

Most of us know Pinterest is the greatest thing in the world. If you haven't discovered Pinterest yet, I highly recommend it. And if you need an invite, leave me your email address in the comments or send me an email and I'll be happy to invite you - we all need Pinterest in our lives!

I've got a whole bunch of pins on Pinterest regarding hair. It's mainly cute, somewhat messy, usually involving a braid hairstyles but I've also got a lot of curls and waves saved. I've got a LOT of hair and it takes a lot of time to 'do' so I'm always up for something new. I have some natural wave but it's hit or miss as to how it'll turn out form day to day so I usually blow dry it straight. But here's the thing - to really blow dry my hair, it takes at least 45 minutes and let's be real, in the mornings, I don't have 45 minutes to spend on hair without waking up at 5am and so I usually just dry it a little better than damp and call it a day, maybe add a headband or pull it back with bobby pins to keep it from being a complete fail.

Enter the greatest thing that has happened to my hair since I found a stylist I love in Nashville - headband curls!

I'll post the YouTube tutorial, but basically, you take an elastic headband, wrap your damp hair around it, sleep on it and ta da! you have curls. No heat, no waking up even earlier than you do already, no spending 45 minutes to an hour with a blow dryer in one hand and a big round brush in the other. Just pull the headband out, brush and go.

I've done this nearly every day for two weeks and it is just SO easy. The smaller sections of hair you wrap, the tighter your curls so I've been experimenting with that. I don't like them too tight because as thick as my hair is, it just doesn't work. I nailed it yesterday. Today, it's a little more messy than I'd like because I tried using bigger sections to make it more wavy than curly last night. Not terrible, but by the end of the day it'll look a hot mess, I'm sure.

Here's the tutorial I used to get my headband curls:

This same girl - Maria, I believe is her name - also has a tutorial on sock bun curls. I tried that and it didn't work out as well as the headband does but I think some of that was my technique.

Today's 30 Day Challenge Topic - a picture of yourself.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me as a kid. I really loved that ballerina costume and see the curls? Those are the source of the nickname 'Mop Head' I referred to yesterday. That's my cousin Zach in the photo with me. I'm 6 months older. It's hard to believe the same girl in that picture has a college degree and lives in a big 'ol city surrounded by country stars and that same boy has the most precious 3 year old known to man kind.

I think Katie meant for us to share a more recent picture, but I saw this one when I was picking one from my Facebook and had to use it!

And because I'm not involved in enough Blog Hopping, I had to jump in on Neely & Amber's Fabulous Fall Challenge!

I'm a day late to the game so I'll try to cover 2 days quickly.

Day 1: Fall Traditions

I think fall traditions can be summed up with football and pumpkin spice lattes. I wait all year for both. Go Vols! (And now I want a PSL...)

Day 2: Fall Clothes/Trends/Makeup

I have a deep love of all things fall. I love sweaters and cardigans and jeans and boots. I've also been picking up a lot of plaid pieces. I love wearing shirt dresses and leggings. I'm big on layering too, especially as I'm discovering that my office is basically next door neighbors with Antarctica. SO cold!

And I REALLY think I NEED these boots:

Capture It, Remember It

2011-09-19T14:08:00.003-05:00

I hope you like pictures because I took a lot of great onesand can’t wait to share! It was the first time I got to use my new camera at a major concert event instead of my standard bar shows around Nashville so I had some fun.

My favorite shot I took from the night.

Working with GAC, I see LOTS of concert and album reviews.Critics have been raving about Taylor Swift’s Speak Now World Tour and she hada two night stand in Nashville this past weekend. I forgot all about it, totell the truth, until I heard a contest on the radio. I decided on a whim to goand after friends either A) refused to go to a Taylor Swift concert (majorityfell into this category, ha!), B) were headed to Gainesville for the game or C)didn’t want to pay the ticket price, I decided what the heck and went bymyself. I am SO glad I did.

First, the opening acts.

Taylor did this really cool thing where she hand-pickedseveral up and coming artists to play a short acoustic set to kick things off.It was THE ticket every artist in town wanted. Among those she chose wereFrankie Ballard, Hunter Hayes, Randy Montana and David Nail. Each artist is ontour for a handful of dates and then it’s on to the next artist. As Taylor wasgiven a shot by none other than George Strait, she wanted to pay it forward andwhat a great way to do it.

Charlie Worsham was this stop’s opener. I wracked my brainon him. I knew his name but couldn’t place him. I listened to a couple songs ofhis on YouTube and really liked them, but still couldn’t how I knew of him. A Google search didn’t turnup what I was looking for. Finally FINALLY I remembered he was part of a groupcalled KingBilly for a while – thanks to my friend for pointing that out!

Charlie was so very good. He was charismatic, his songs arefantastic and he had the audience so engaged. The arena was more or less emptywhen he started but literally halfway into the first song, the crowd haddoubled. He had an almost full house by his final song. And did I mention he’squite easy on the eyes? Because he is. But then again, he was a boy with aguitar and I’m – me. I bought his EP on iTunes last night and have beenlistening to nothing else sense.

NeedToBreathe was the middle act. I’d heard of them and wassort of neutral to them. I ended up loving them. I’ll be purchasing their newalbum tomorrow as well.

And then, it was Taylor Time. Oh. My. Goodness.

The whole show is a production from start to finish. It’slike being in Taylor’s imagination for 2 hours. The set is fairytale-like.Interestingly, the intro isn’t all that flashy. There is a voiceover of Taylorgiving a speech on when to speak up and then her song “Sparks Fly” starts andshe rises up from under the stage. There is smoke, but it’s just not over thetop.

Taylor's entrance

A lot of people criticize Taylor for her shocked expression.I’ve doubted the sincerity of it before myself. But watching her with genuinetears in her eyes as the first bars of “Sparks Fly” sounded, I believe her. Shewas looking out over her hometown, her parents, her family, her friends and15,000 people who were there for her. She has always been very gracious andhumble and I truly believe she realizes and understands just how fortunate sheis. And at the end of the day, she’s just 21. I think people forget that abouther.

Both of these shots were taken during "Mine"

The show is just something you have to see to believe. Herdancers are incredible. The set is incredible. I could go on and on. At onepoint she goes out into the audience and sits under a tree to play a fewacoustic songs then wades back to the stage up the other aisle.

My favorite part was the “Enchanted” and “Haunted” songs.“Enchanted” even sounds like a fairy tale when you listen to it and her set wasset up like an enchanted forest. There were the most beautiful ballet dancersduring the song. Then, as it ends, there’s a loud thunder crash and everythinggoes dark, a shadow falls over the stage. The screens turn stormy, the stageset gets dark and her song “Haunted” starts playing.

There are these giant bells on stage that Taylor – in yetanother outfit, lots of costume changes – hits repeatedly. The bells rise up asshe beings singing and then when she reaches the chorus, trapeze artists fallout of the bells. It’s just amazing.

She of course brought out special guests . I was at theFriday night show which had Hayley Williams of Paramore and Ronnie Dunn.Saturday, she had Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. She ended the night by playing“Fifteen” with a very cool ‘then and now’ of her band members, showing themfirst at 15 and then now and then she flew around the arena on a balcony during“Love Story.”

Taylor’s show was enchanting. Sparkling. What really made itfun though was the four year old sitting beside me. She was just so excited andit was so fun to watch her experience it as she still believes in princessesand castles and fairy tales just as she hears them in storybooks. She kepttelling me ‘That’s TAYLOR!’ as if she just couldn’t believe she was luckyenough to see Taylor Swift in person.

If you get a chance to catch Taylor, GO. It is so worth it.And, despite her rep for sounding bad during live broadcasts, she actuallysounds quite good. There were a few times she got a little pitchy if she hit aparticularly high note, but all and all, it was solid. My boss from GAC wassitting across the aisle from me (15,000 people and he’s across the aisle, ha!)with his daughter and 5 of her friends and even he enjoyed it - being a manlyman and all.

Did I mention how great Charlie Worsham is? Seriously –check him out. This is my favorite song of his. It’s called “Trouble Is.” Betyou can figure out the song he samples!

And lastly - I know, long post! - Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge!

Today's topic is Nicknames.

A lot of my friends call me 'Swyland' - pronounced 'Swi-Land' which is a combo of my first and last name. One of my sorority sisters started it and it stuck. I won't lie, I kinda like it, ha.

My aunt - and thanks to her, my uncle - calls me 'Mop Head.' When I was three, my mom let my grandma give me a perm. I had a mop of curls like you wouldn't believe. Think Shirley Temple. To this day, she still calls me Mop Head. I tolerate it but I don't like it!

Jet Setter

2011-09-18T13:20:00.001-05:00

I haven't had 2 seconds to blog since Tuesday so consider this both a catch up of Katie's 30 Day Challenge AND a recap of my trip to Indy. Hopefully in condensed form.

As previously mentioned, I flew to Indianapolis on Tuesday morning for a conference. I went exploring - sort of - Tuesday evening. I say say of because basically I walked down the street my hotel was on which just so happened to be in the heart of downtown in search of food. I snapped a few pictures, but none worth sharing. I decided to check out the mall a couple blocks down. I have NEVER seen a more confusing all in my life. It's called 'Circle Mall' and it's pretty much one big circle. That apparently you need more than a Bachelor's degree to figure out how to get in. So confusing. Like the good Southerner I am, I ate Chick-Fil-A!

I snapped this picture at 10,000 feet on my flight from Indy to Chicago on the way home. I think it's just so 'America.'

I spent Wednesday at the conference. I learned a lot and let me just say the food was amazing. I met some great people as well and had an all around successful day. Then, the best part happened. As part of the conference, they gave us club seats to Katy Perry!

Katy Perry was just one big ball of fun. Its the first non-country concert I've been to in a while and it was just unreal. Her set was straight out of my childhood, like one big, real life Candyland board. I loved it. I was super disappointed that no cameras were allowed. I snapped several shots with my cell phone so my little sister, who loves Katy Perry, could see. I just wish I could have had some of the girls with me - definitely a show to see with your friends. While I made friends with the conference people sitting next to me, they just weren't the same!

Katy Perry!

Thursday is a blur. I had a few hours to attend keynote speakers at the conference and I was trying to get some work done as well. The clock definitely speeds up when you're working against it. I flew home - worst flight ever between Indianapolis and Chicago, thank goodness it was only 25 minutes - and while waiting for my flight to Nashville in Chicago came to the realization I had nothing to wear to the Taylor Swift concert the next night so upon landing I did the only natural thing - I went to Target!

Friday was a busy day of catch up at work and then I went to the Taylor Swift concert. That gets its own post. Then, yesterday, I watched the Tennessee/Florida game and did NOTHING. I was exhausted! Which means I have plenty to do today.

30 Day Blog Challenge catch up time!

href="http://katieslifejourney.blogspot.com"><img border="0" width="200px" src="http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww307/LeslieFLambert/Blog%20Items%20New/katiebutton.png" target="blank"/>

Day 14: Something You're Looking Forward To.

The big things that are yet to come - buying my first house, meeting 'The One,' getting married, having babies...

The little things - Thanksgiving when I'll get to go home and see my family, Miranda Lambert's new album, the return of my TV shows, the start of a few new shows, Christmas...

Day 15: 3 Tips for New Bloggers.

1. Make it about YOU. If you love makeup, talk about makeup. If you have 3 kids that are the center of your world, tell us about them. It's YOUR blog so make it reflect your personality.

2. Only share what you feel comfortable sharing. Some bloggers share everything - and sometimes, over share - while some bloggers hold their cards close to their chest. People might ask if you allude to something going on in your personal life but you only have to tell them if YOU want to.

3. If they comment on your blog, do your best to comment back and/or visit their blog. I need to do better at this myself.

Day 16: 5 Blogs You Visit Daily

1. Kelly's Korner - I think a lot of you probably read Kelly's blog daily as well. She is just SO inspiring and real. Her girls are precious and her faith gives ME faith.

2. The Pioneer Woman - LOVE LOVE LOVE her!

3. Hello! Happiness - Natasha is a fellow Nashville blogger and I just love her blog. It's, well, happy! She's also a fellow UT grad. She just announced she's having a little one and I'm so excited for her!

4. In This Wonderful Life - Another one a lot of y'all probably read already. I just love Megan and Brent - and now, Knox and Sloane! I admire them so much. They've had such a difficult road with the loss of their baby boy Cohen and yet they've kept their faith and remained centered in God. Their beautiful twins are proof that miracles happen and God does listen.

5. Beth's Life - Beth is another fellow Nashville blogger. I love her blog - I think she and I end up at a lot of the same Nashville-area functions so we should probably work on running into each other at one of them!

Day 17: Regrets

I may have blogged about this before, I can't remember, but I'm not a believer in regrets. I truly truly truly believe that everything in life - the good, the bad and the ugly - happen for a reason. I could regret a lost relationship or not taking a chance when something came along, but every choice I made, every action I took, every chance I did or didn't take lead me right here which is exactly where I believe I'm meant to be.

Day 18: Something You Miss

My family!! That's the hardest part about living in Nashville is not being there for things like birthdays and 'just because' family gatherings. I missed the twins first day of middle school, my Hollie's third birthday (first one I've missed!), going to Homecoming at church... I miss being able to walk across the street and visit Papa and Granny, especially these days as I know Papa's health is rapidly deteriorating. I miss Sunday dinner with Grandma. But when I miss them the most, they always manage to let me know they're proud of me. Granny will send me a note on Facebook or Grandma will tell my dad how proud she is of me and it makes it all okay.

I also missed my sister get her first pair of cowboy boots yesterday. That's a major milestone in a girl's life!

Bouncing With Excitement

2011-09-13T14:34:00.002-05:00

Y'all. I am SO excited!

I'm in Indianapolis for one thing. I made my royal entrance by running into the automatic sliding glass door at the airport, but you know, details. The only thing wounded was my pride. I think the worst part was the door was OPEN at the time. Aye.

But you know what's really exciting me right now? Tomorrow night, I'm going to a Katy Perry concert. And Friday? Friday night, I'm going to see Taylor Swift! My friends give me grief for being a Taylor fan, but I have no shame. I love her, I love her music and I especially love what she's done for country music. Her show is getting rave reviews and I can't wait to see it. I even scored a great ticket at a great price. I'm going to be teeny bopping right along with the rest of the teeny boppers.

As if all that wasn't exciting enough, it's UT/Florida week! This girl is ready to go swamp stomping. Or 'fishin' in the swamp' as is the saying this year. Vol fans, check out the song WIVK released for the game: "Fishin' In The Swamp."

I'll be sure to share my Katy Perry and Taylor Swift experiences. I can guarantee I'll be spending most of Saturday (post-game, got to get my cheering and singing of "Rocky Top" on first!) and Sunday catching up on chores and sleep but it'll be so worth it.

Today's topic in Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge is Favorite Bible Verses/Quotes. This is one of my favorite topics yet. I love Bible versus and quotes. I write them down in a little notebook when I come across ones that especially speak to me and I have them displayed around my apartment. It's so hard to narrow it down to favorites, but I'll try! You can see some of my favorites under the quote page of my blog as well.

* Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

* Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

* Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34

* Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God. - 1 Peter 3:4

* Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24

* "But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after. That’s why I write these songs. Because I think love is fearless."
- Taylor Swift

* There's nothing quite like being young - when you can do anything because it hasn't yet occurred to you that you can't. - Kenny Chesney on why he recorded "Young."

This is a recent favorite. I feel like I'm living my life this way right now. Or trying to, may be more accurate. I stumbled across a print of this on Pinterest and it was exactly what I needed to read at the time.

* She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. - Proverbs 31:25

And finally, my life mantra. I had this on a canvas in my college dorm room and my little sister pitched a fit because I had a 'bad word' on my wall, ha.

* "With Style and Grace, kick ass and take names." - Bomshell from the song "Fight Like A Girl

I Have A Goal

2011-09-12T09:37:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure if this weekend went by too fast or just right. In truth, there were a few times when I thought it was positively dragging - like it felt like it should have been later than it really was. But now that it's Monday, I'm wondering where the weekend has gone. Naturally.

I went shopping both days and would you believe I bought nothing? That's right. I didn't buy a thing besides groceries. Actually that's a lie. I bought some cute Halloween/fall decor at Target and also at Kirkland's. Kirkland's especially had a great weekend sale since they're making room for Christmas. It was just one of those weekends where despite the cute things I seen and the great sales on them, I just wasn't interested. I do need some new makeup, however, so I think I'm going to go to Sephora/ULTA this coming weekend and splurge on all new beauty products. I'm running low on just about everything.

I decked my apartment out for fall Saturday night. My dad called while I was in the middle of it and I could practically hear him roll his eyes. Sometimes I'm just too much of a girl for him. He told me about tearing down my Grandma's chimney so he could start building her a new one this coming weekend, I told him about the football games I watched. I think it confuses him, me being so girlie but loving football.

Speaking of football, I watched a LOT of it this weekend and it was glorious. I'm so glad it's back on my TV! My Vols were incredible and I'm really looking forward to Saturday's game at Florida. The Swamp should be a good measuring stick as to just how good we are. And how good was that Georgia/South Carolina game? I love the SEC! As for the NFL, the Titans were hard to watch. The score ended up close but my goodness. Watching the Colts play without Peyton Manning was also devastating. That score... Not so close.

I have a lot on my agenda today, namely - to PACK! I'm flying to Indianapolis in the morning for a marketing conference. Normally, I'm not a nervous flier but with September 11 being yesterday and security being tightened this week, I'm more nervous than usual. It doesn't help that a flight was diverted to Nashville on Saturday because of security concerns AND it was a Southwest flight, the same airline I'm flying. I know those details don't technically matter for my own flight, but it does make one uneasy.

Today's 30 Day Challenge topic is Goals for the Next Year. Here are some of mine:

1. Advance in my career

2. Begin the process of buying a condo/townhouse. This will be towards the end of next year as I just signed my least through October of 2012 but as its a long process, I'd like to start in or around June/July next year.

3. Save money for said condo.

4. Join at least one of the many professional networks around Nashville.

5. Start going to church regularly. I'm struggling with this one a little. I do enjoy the church I've been going to, but I also have a hard time getting motivated on a Sunday morning to go.

I can think of more - I'm a goals kind of person - but I think 5 is enough to share for now.

Happy Monday!

Also, I've been trying to reply to your comments, but this new Blogger interface - which I love - has me confused. I have been reading them and I so appreciate them! I'm working my way through visiting your blogs as I see I've got lots of new readers!

I Ain't Skeered

2011-09-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

I apologize if your blog reader is full of me today. I'm playing catch up on Katie's 30 Day Challenge. I wrote a lot of these posts ahead of time but didn't get the chance to edit/schedule them. And so... I'm playing catch up. Forgive me!

How about those Vols yesterday? My parents and grandparents called to tell me how impressed they were by Tyler Bray, Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers. I'm cautiously optimistic about this season, but we're heading to the Swamp to face Florida on Saturday and like Coach Dooley said, it's time for Big Boy Football.

That being said, I'm crossing my fingers that Dooley's orange pants make the trip to the swamp. They're custom made, have their own Twitter and Facebook pages, and have been present in both wins this season. Call me superstitious, but I think they need to be worn against the Gators.

Today's topic in Katie's 30 Day Challenge is fears. My biggest fear is failure but because I firmly believer that your experiences are largely influenced by your thoughts, I choose not to focus on that fear - ever. So I'll share my irrational fears. Because trust me, they are irrational.

First up - raw chicken. Pretty much the only meat I eat is chicken. It's not that I don't like other meat or have a diet that prevents me from eating it, I just - don't really care for it, I guess. I do love a good cheeseburger though. And country ham. Oh how I love country ham. But as much chicken as I eat, I HATE cooking it.

When I was a kid, maybe 6 or 7, there as a story on the news about salmonella poisoning related to recalled chicken. I very clearly remember my mom was in the kitchen cooking chicken for dinner at the exact same time. It never occurred to me to be concerned about eating the chicken - thankfully or else I'd probably never eat meat - but the newscaster went on and on about the importance of cleaning any and all surfaces raw chicken touches thoroughly. I panicked and in all my 6 year old glory, stood in the kitchen and made sure my mom wiped down the counters with bleach (she always has) and didn't use the same utensils on anything else that she used on the chicken.

To this day, whenever I cook chicken I make a big production of wiping down not just the cutting board, but the counters, the stove, the utensils... My kitchen gets a disinfecting worthy of a hospital operating room when I handle raw chicken. I hate it. But I love chicken. But only boneless - I do not eat chicken off the bone. Ever. My parents have never catered to that particular issue of mine, but to this day, my grandma still fixes me a separate helping of boneless chicken breasts. I know who loves me, ha!

Up next? Frogs. I don't care how cute people think they are. They're frogs. FROGS. My issue with them? They jump. I know that's irrational and that jumping is what frogs do. I don't care. I hate them. Gracie Beth finds this particular fear of mine rather amusing.

And finally, my biggest, most irrational fear of all - ALF. Yes, ALF. That ridiculous cat and french fry eating alien from the 80s. I'm terrified of him. To this day. So much so that I can't even go find a picture of him to post.

See, when I was little - we're talking 3 years old here - I had a cat named Rusty. Rusty was my best friend. I didn't have a liter of cousins yet, we lived in the middle of nowhere and Rusty was all I had to play with besides my parents and grandparents. My dad loved ALF. I very clearly remember sitting in his lap watching it one night and making the realization that ALF wanted to eat cats. I inquired about the safety of my cat and my dad... Told me ALF would love to eat him as he was plump and orange. Father of the Year, right there.

And so began my hatred of ALF. I probably would have gotten over it if it had been left there. But oh no. My dad is really good at voice impersonations and can throw his voice. He did an excellent ALF impression and me being a toddler, I couldn't tell the difference between real life and TV. He'd throw his voice to sound like ALF and would ask where Rusty was. I'd run screaming, cat in my arms, and Mama would pitch a fit while Daddy laughed like a hyena.

But it didn't end there either. My uncle thought my fear of ALF was great fun. For my 4th birthday, he bought me an ALF puppet. You can imagine what happened when I opened that package. My grandma put him in his place and took the puppet. Naturally, my dad found it. Now, he not only could throw his voice, he had a puppet too. He'd hide behind the sofa or around doors with that stupid puppet on his hand, throw his voice, and cause mass chaos.

He feels bad about it now as he's realized I am deathly afraid of the thing even if I know better now. I've been in Best Buy and seen ALF on DVD and had to leave. I've seen an ALF window screen on a car in a parking lot and had a near nervous breakdown - all recently. Someone on Pinterest pinned several pictures of ALF to a childhood favorites board. I didn't log in for a week. If you want to terrify me, bring out ALF.

I tell people about this and they laugh. I laugh. It's ridiculous. But it's such a real fear. If ALF ever comes back on TV, I'll be a goner.

No Prince Charming

2011-09-10T13:32:00.000-05:00

Day 10 of Katie's 30 Day Challenge is 'Someone Special.'

Me, I'm single right now. I'm okay with that. I know my guy is out there, waiting for me just as I'm waiting for him.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might remember my posts about fairy tales and Johnny Cash. You can read those posts if you want, but what they say is basically this: To me, every day is a fairy tale - whether your date picks you up at 6pm just like he said he was or you get to enjoy a beautiful fall morning while driving to work. And when it comes to men, I'm not looking for Prince Charming. I'm looking for Johnny Cash - a man who, like Johnny Cash, might have flaws but loves me with all he has - just like Johnny loved June.

A lot of you read Kelly's Korner on a daily basis. I know I do. I love seeing Harper and Hollis and hearing about their lives. But I also love how much faith Kelly has. Recently, she posted this post - All The Single Ladies. I read it, got a few tears in my eyes, and shared it on my Facebook wall. I had no idea how many of my friends were in need of reading it but their comments told me I wasn't alone in my singleness.

The joke in my family is that I'll end up with a musician. It wouldn't surprise me in the least. But hey, I just so happen to live in Nashville and I just so happen to know several rather handsome, rather single, guitar players....

Must See TV

2011-09-09T12:58:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time I would have said I don't watch a lot of TV. That was a lie then and I have decided to abandon said lie and just admit it - I watch TV. And it's generally trash reality TV. It's just too easy to get sucked in.

Gossip Girl is the one non-reality TV show I MUST watch. I read all the books when I was a teenager, but didn't watch the show when it started. Several of my friends were all up in arms over the season 2 finale and I was back in Virginia for the summer, bored, so I decided to watch some of season 1. In two days - seriously, I had nothing to do! - I had watched all of season 1 and season 2. I am, admittedly, a Chair shipper and cannot wait for season 5 to premiere in a few weeks.

Yeah, I watch it. And The Bachelorette. I know the likelihood of them truly finding lasting love is slim to none giving the show's track record but still, I'm a hopeless romantic and wish for the best. I just loved Ashley and JP on this latest season of The Bachelorette and I'm feeling good about their chances.

I love love love Say Yes To The Dress. I love all of them - the original, Big Bliss, Atlanta, Bridesmaids... But Atlanta is by far my favorite. I guess it's the Southerner in me. I love Monty. I want to carry him around in my pocket and pull him out when I need a little sass in my life.

Now... I'm going to confess my guiltiest pleasure of all...

I feel like I'm going to hell just for admitting that I watch Toddlers & Tiaras. It's the train wreck you can't look away from. If my future husband were to come home and see me doing this to our daughter, I half hope he'd divorce me and take the kids.

I also tune in to Teen Mom, Four Weddings, Swamp People and What Not To Wear. There are a few shows starting this fall I'm planning to check out as well. But most nights, I put the TV on either TV Land or Nick At Nite and watch the sitcoms I grew up with - Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends... I've seen all of them time and time again and they're still hilarious.

A Little Help From My Friends

2011-09-08T12:24:00.000-05:00

Day 8 of Katie's 30 Day Challenge? A picture of your friends!

This post makes me miss college. I graduated 9 months ago. Nine!! It's still a little odd, not being on campus for game day, not seeing my friends every day, not going to sorority functions. I've made some good friends here in Nashville and upon writing this post, realized my friend who takes all the pictures hasn't put a single one on Facebook for me to steal. Fail on her.

I also realized I need to invest in a small camera. I have a big, quite nice Nikon but it's not exactly conducive to throwing in your purse for nights out. Putting that on my to do list. I need to document the fun we have!

I'm sharing some of my favorite pictures. These are framed around my apartment. I didn't mean for all of them to be from football season but when you go to a school like Tennessee.... I guess its hard no to! Plus, football season is officially on so why not share some of my school spirit?

Kristina, Rachel, myself and Amanda. This was two football season ago I think, based entirely on how short - and blonde - my hair is. My mom has this photo in her office which I find kind of random, but then again, that's my mom.

This is one of my favorite pictures. It's also from two seasons ago, I think. I believe we were playing Auburn. Rachel and I - and Amanda, Kristina and our friend Jenn - all made t-shirts for the game. I believe we lost epically, but it was an ESPN night game and we still had a blast. In this picture - Gracie Beth, Lacie, Rachel, myself and Brittney.

Homecoming year before last. All of us with Courtney, our sorority sister AND Homecoming Queen! That was a fun time.

This is Keely. I love her. This was at Homecoming last year, our last game students. As much fun as I've had at football games over the year, I think last year's Homecoming against Ole Miss was the best.

Gracie Beth and I at Homecoming last year.

Thank goodness for Facebook, Twitter, text messages, phone calls and Skype ~~not that I ever remember to log on~~ so I can keep up with all these girls as we start our big girl lives all over the South!

I'd Rather Be in OBX

2011-09-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Today's 30 Day Challenge topic? Favorite vacations!

I haven't had a real vacation in about 3 years. My breaks from school were spent going home to visit my family and summers were spent interning. My family hasn't had a 'real' vacation either though. Vacations for the last 3 years for them have been spending a long weekend at whatever baseball park my brother's All-Star team was playing at. Luckily for them, that has been at the beach a couple of times, ha!

I take it back. They spent a week in April in Gatlinburg. ~~And didn't come see their daughter 3 hours away.~~

Growing up, we spent every single summer in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It's a set of barrier islands off of NC's coast and we always stayed in Nags Head.

I've got pictures upon pictures of us at the beach from the time I was 3 months old on up until 3 summers ago, but they're either the 'old fashion' kind that haven't been scanned onto the computer or they're living on my other laptop.

I love Nags Head. It's such a quaint little town. There is a lot of pirate folklore and the locals do a great job of keeping it alive and well. Even when it's booming with tourists, it is still quiet. You can drive out on a lot of the beaches which is what we always do. There's windsurfing, fishing, boating, water sports...Just about everything you'd expect at a beach.

The last two times we went, we stayed on the sound side - one side is ocean, the other sound, but they're literally about a mile apart. It was so nice. I absolutely loved waking up really early - we're talking 7am, on vacation! - and sitting on the deck with my coffee, overlooking the sound. The sun rises on the ocean side but the sunsets on the sound side are to die for.

And now I'm ready to pack my bags and head back!

Good Day for a Movie

2011-09-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

It's been raining in Nashville since Saturday night and while it was slightly depressing that I couldn't spend my holiday weekend by the pool, I will more than take the rain. Not only do we need it, it's washing away the pollen that has wrecked havoc on my allergies for the last couple of weeks. Besides, it was kind of nice to hole up inside with no real plans. Best of all, it was chilly so I got to wear long sleeves!

Anyone do much shopping with the great sales going on? I went to DSW and walked away with a $100 pair of flats for $22! I won't be able to wear them until at least the weekend as they are definitely not wet weather shoes, but they are so cute.

Today's 30 Day Challenge topic is Favorite Movies! Oh how I'd love to be curled up on my couch watching on of these today! It should be noted I'm not much of a movie watcher. I credit my mom with that. She was (and is) big on us not watching too much TV and playing outside instead. I haven't seen too many movies in the grand scheme of movies.

Steel Magnolias is one of my all-time favorites. I love everything about this movie. I laugh, I cry, I watch it over and over again. Believe it or not, my favorite party is Shelby's funeral. In the moments after, when I'm crying while laughing so hard my side hurts at the whole 'hit Ouiser' moment, I remember just why it's a favorite.

8 Seconds is another all time favorite. It's the story of Lane Frost who was a top cowboy in the rodeo circuit. He was also killed on the rodeo circuit. I burst into tears as the plane flies over Cheyenne and Cody recites his poem. I continue crying until well after movie is over. Tuff's last ride... Have mercy.

I love, love, LOVE Sweet Home Alabama. I'm starting to wonder just how many times I can watch it before I'm sick of it. I watched it twice just this weekend! I quote it throughout. It just doesn't get old.

Of recent movies, The Blind Side, is by far, my favorite. I want to BE Leigh Anne Tuohy when I grow up. I quote this one as well. I got kicked out of the family room this past Thanksgiving after one too many quotes. It seems people wanted to actually watch the movie. Huh.

This is my favorite Christmas movie. Well, second favorite. My favorite is up next. Love Actually just makes me feel good. I'm going to pull it out soon and start my holiday watch fest. Would you believe my mom has never seen it? I'm going to fix that this holiday season if I can pull her away from holiday baking and crafting long enough.

Christmas Vacation IS Christmas. I've got so many childhood memories of watching this movie with my Grandma. My mama and I always watch it on Black Friday while resting from our very early morning of hardcore shopping. The twins love it as well. It's the 'family' movie I guess you could say. As many times as I've seen this movie, I still laugh like a hyena.

Lastly, The Wizard of Oz. I was OBSESSED with this movie as a child. I even had a yellow brick road - which was actually my mom's rug in the living room, but I was 3 and worked with what I had. My poor cat, Rusty, was subjected to being Toto. I had ruby red slippers, a basket... I didn't play around. I watched it 2-3 times a day. Eventually, the tape 'broke' and I was forced on to other movies. Oddly enough, I found the tape in my mama's dresser drawer years later... I guess they'd heard "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" one too many times.

A Little Happy In Your Labor Day

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've spent the holiday weekend doing some fun Halloween craft projects I'll be sharing with you soon. I can't wait for you to see! One of them is definitely a labor of love and as I type this, nowhere near finished. I'm hoping to make a big dent in it tomorrow.

Has anyone tried Blogger's new interface? I love it! It's fun typing my posts on what basically looks like Word.

Today's topic in the 30 Day Challenge is a photo that makes you happy. I've found a lot of photos on Pinterest that make me happy so I'm going to share more than one.

What girl doesn't want to be this in love?

Stinkin' precious!

I have visions of this being my little girl one day. But in cowboy boots.

We all know I have a thing for guitar players.

This? This is pure happiness. GO VOLS!

Happiness in a cup. And they're back tomorrow!!

You wouldn't believe how many photos I have subconsciously pinned of boys with guitars.

I love fall.

As a Daddy's Girl, this melts my heart.

Another picture of fall happiness.

Powerful.

And my favorite for last - because this? This is the true definition of happy and what I want more than anything.

Love & Happiness.

We Are Family

2011-09-04T15:24:00.000-05:00

Today's 30 Day Challenge topic? Family! Get ready. I've got a big one.

My mama is Paula Deen meets Martha Stewart. She can cook absolutely anything under the sun and is as crafty as anyone I know. She's also the most amazing woman I know. I didn't realize just how strong she was until I was older and able to understand. She went from being a stay at home mom while married to my dad to working, at one point, three jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I never went without. I didn't realize the sacrifices she made at the time and I don't think she'll ever know how grateful I am for her, how much I look up to her and how much I love her.

My stepdad has been in my life for a long time. I'm not even sure how long he and my mom have been together, ha! It's hovering around 16-17 years, I believe. He grew up in a very rural part of Virginia. I'm telling the honest to God truth when I say you stand in his family's home and no matter which direction you look, it's fields for miles and miles. He's a good guy and will do anything for anyone. He is also found of saying Abby, the family dog, is the only female in the house that does what he says. He's right.

Mama, Stepdad and Brother and Sister with me at my UT Graduation. Forgive the lighting and our hair/makeup. It was icing outside and we had to drive 6 hours five minutes after this was taken.

I was the only child for nearly 14 years when along came the twins. They were a surprise all around but one of the greatest surprises ever. They're 11 now and just started middle school. My brother is super athletic. He has yet to pick up a sport and be bad at it. He eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. He plays catcher and has made the All-Star team every year since he reached the age to be eligible. He says he wants to play for the University of Virginia one day.

Brother at his All-Star tournament in Knoxville over the summer. So glad they traveled to Tennessee to play this year! He looks so grown in this picture.

My sister is extremely artistic. She loves to draw and design clothes. She's the sassy one in the family. She loves bright colors, softball and animals. She has brought more animals into the house than I think mom is even aware of. We're not talking cute furry creatures either - praying mantises, an injured turtle, a baby bird, a snail, mole... Over the winter a puppy was discovered living in the bottom drawer of her dresser. It was the runt from a litter of puppies one of our Papa's hunting hounds had and Sister had overheard Papa say it wasn't going to make it. She took care of it and it's not a healthy, thriving 6 month old Walker Hound.

Sister Opening Day of softball season. It rainy and cold and she didn't have her yellow and polka dot bow in yet.

Granny and Papa should have their own sitcom. Granny likes things to be very VERY neat and clean and Papa is quite set in his ways. A perfect example of them: A few weeks ago, they had quite the disagreement over where Pearl Harbor was. Granny said Florida. Papa said Texas. They had this disagreement while driving to Virginia Beach. When they arrived, the burst into my aunt and uncle's room to 'settle' it. After a lot of disbelieving laughter, they were told it was in Hawaii to which Papa told Granny - "See? I told you." Bless their hearts.

Papa isn't doing so well these days. He's got a laundry list of health problems and his heart is getting weaker. I, of course, hope he lives forever, but realistically, I know that's not the case. I talked with him yesterday - about football, of course. That's 'our' thing. - and when I hung up, he told me he loved me. He never does that. I shed several tears when I ended the call. Then I remembered he refused to stay at a hotel because the doors 'opened by themselves and you know that's just damn expensive.'

Papa and Granny with me at my graduation. It meant the world they drove down for it. My cousin Kiley was happy to report that Papa cried when I walked across the stage.

My mom has 3 sisters and a brother. Together, the five of them have 15 kids which means my grandparents have 15 grandchildren. 10 of them live within a rock's throw of my grandparents. My mom and co live across the street, even. I live in Tennessee and my aunt and her husband and their four live in Arkansas. This is my favorite picture. It was taken a year ago at Papa's 70th birthday party. It's my grandparents, all of the grandchildren and the one great grand child.

Hollie, as of right now, is the only great-grandchild. She is the sweetest, most adorable little girl in the whole world. But I'm biased. She always spends at least a day with me when I go home and we do our nails. She's 3 and they allow her to dress herself. I've gotten some interesting pictures texted to me. My favorite, I think, was her in a tulle skirt, turtle neck and dress up shoes - even though it was 103 out. I can't wait to have lovetime with this little lady when I go home for Thanksgiving!

Hollie on Easter. I love her little pieced ears! That was what she asked for for Christmas!

My dad's side of the family is just as big although admittedly not as close as my mom's side. I am VERY much a daddy's girl. I'm his only child and he has told me many times that had I been a boy, my life would have been a lot different. He has a hard time with me living so far away and calls frequently. Lord help him if I'm traveling. He writes down the times my planes are expected to land if I'm flying and without fail, is calling me on the nose. If I'm driving, I can expect a call every two or so hours. He works so hard and is so funny. He takes care of everyone and his hobby is definitely telling dirty jokes. Not golf, dirty jokes. He's definitely the dad that's cleaning his gun whenever a boy is brought over. Oh, and he LOVES Madea. LOVES Madea. He tends to quote her during our phone calls.

My dad's wife - my stepmom - has been in the picture for a long time as well. They were only married about a year ago however in a Justice of the Peace ceremony. She and my dad are the very definition of opposites attract. My dad is a 'good ol' boy' that likes hunting and fishing and just as soon be outside working in his shop or tinkering with his guns only to come in and eat something fried in grease whereas she is very into organic living and likes to paint and create what I can only call abstract art.

Me with Daddy and my stepmom. My feet were killing me by this point and I was so over smiling.

My Grandma and I are exceptionally close. I talked to her yesterday for an hour and forty minutes. She and I have always have a close bond even though I'm not the first grandchild. My Papa Jim and I were inseparable until he passed away when I was six. Grandma and Papa used to take me to town shopping every Saturday and we always ate wherever I wanted which was usually Bonanzas which has long since closed down. Grandma makes me a strawberry shortcake for my birthday every year and sends me a card with $25 in it every holiday - Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween... She looks forward to my coming home and just yesterday asked me what I wanted her to fix me to eat when I come home next - in November.

My dad is also 1 of 5. He has 3 brothers and a sister. He's the baby. Between all my aunts and uncles, there are eight grandchildren and a couple of great grand children. Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture of all of us together, not for the lack of trying. Maybe this holiday season it will actually happen. We shall see.

So that's my family. It might not seem like an nutshell but I promise you it is. There are a LOT of us!

Day 3: Tell Us About Your Job

2011-09-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

Before I get into today's post for the 30 Day Challenge, if you're on Twitter, I have a favor to ask. My cousin Kily lost a good friend, Sara, in a car accident in Bentonville, Arkansas on Thursday. Both Kiley and Sara had just found out they'd made Homecoming Court and were in the running for Queen. It was a heartbreaking start for Kiley and her friends' senior year of high school. They are trying to get #SaraForHomecomingQueen2011 trending on Twitter in Sara's honor so if you happen to think about it and could send a tweet with that hashtag, I know a lot of teenagers it would mean a lot to. And if you could spare a prayer for Sara's family and friends, that'd be great too. I, of course, didn't know Sara but reading about her and hearing Kiley talk about her, she sounds like she was one amazing girl.

Now, 30 Day challenge time! Today's topic? Tell us about your job.

I've got two jobs which might seem like a lot for a 25 year old, but let me explain.

During the day, I'm a social media professional. I work for an agency based out of Atlanta but I'm on site with our client in Nashville. I monitor our client's Facebook pages and Twitter feed and develop creative for them. I really enjoy it and realize how blessed I am to not just have a job but to have a job I really enjoy. So many of my friends haven't been so fortunate right out of college.

To keep it interesting, I'm the only girl in my department. I'm also the youngest. I girl it up without even trying. You tend to notice things like the fact that you're the only one wearing sparkly nail polish when you're in a room with 5 men. It keeps things interesting. I can talk football with the best of them which has blew some minds - but then again, a lot of my co-workers are from the midwest and don't understand the beauty that is SEC football. Oddly enough, one of my pages is NASCAR related, a sport I know nothing about other than they turn left a lot. I've done a lot of Googling on race cars lately.

In the evenings, I freelance for GAC. If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know I love not just country music but the music industry in general. It's my passion. I write blog posts for GAC and recently began handling the Photos of the Week as well. You can read my stuff here if you're so inclined.

I absolutely love my gig with GAC. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the extra paycheck, but what I really love is that it keeps my foot in the music industry door. It also gives me the creative outlet I absolutely need. Plus, I just love to write. And if it's writing about a hot country boy, well, so be it. I'm not going to complain. It doesn't hurt that the folks at GAC are just good people. It's a great team to be a part of, even if I work from my living room.

Before you ask, yes, I've met many country artists. I promise you, they're normal. They just have a really cool job.

So those are my jobs in a nutshell. I really am pretty darn blessed.

This Is My Blog

2011-09-02T10:17:00.002-05:00

It's Friday, friends!! Not only is it a long weekend, it's FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!! I've been on countdown since, oh, the spring game in April. It's so nice to see the hours on my timer clicking ever closer to '0:00.' I won't be making the trip to Knoxville this round, but I'm seriously considering buying the game on PPV.

Last night myself and several new friends celebrated a friend's birthday. I'd met a few of the girls once before and met several for the first time. We had a blast - but Taco Mamacita is a guaranteed good time. We were definitely 'that' table - 11 mostly southern girls (that mostly all work in the music industry!) tend to get a little loud. Afterward, most went to Tin Roof for drinks, but sadly, I had to head home and get some stuff done for GAC.

Time for Day 2 of Katie's 30 Day Challenge! Won't you link up? Today's subject: Tell us about your blog!

I started blogging in the summer of 2009. My journalism professors were always insisting that we should blog and several of my friends, particularly Gracie Beth, had fun blogs as well. I was blogging for the country music website I ran before joining GAC, but I wanted a personal outlet as well and so - I signed up.

My blog used to be named 'Wears Inappropriate Shoes. Because that's what I do. There is a 75% chance my footwear will be inappropriate for the occasion. Sky high heels at football games and SAE Boxing Weekend, Old Navy flip flops in the pouring down rain, suede flats when it's snowing... It's just how I roll. It was a blog about my college life - my sorority, my job as an RA, my classes, my friends. But after I graduated and moved to Nashville, I decided to change it up. And so, Sarah in the City was born.

I still blog about my everyday life but I also blog recipes and DIY projects. Somewhere along the way, I discovered I love to cook and now I do it often. And the real shocker? I cook WELL. There's also a section called 'Mountain Mafia' where I intend to blog memories from my childhood. I've got to do a better job with that.

To anyone new to blogging, I encourage you to be yourself. You don't have to share everything - I don't - but be true to who you are. It is, after all, YOUR blog.

Day 1: Introduce Yourself

2011-09-01T09:25:00.000-05:00

I'm Sarah.

I was born and raised in Virgina. If you ever seen The Waltons on TV, that is, quite literally, where I'm from. My grandpa grew up with Earl Hamner, the man who wrote the show. Papa says he was just like John Boy growing up, sitting on the river bank writing instead of swimming with the rest of them. We watch The Waltons a lot. It's fun to hear the name of the places we know so well on TV. It's also fun to watch with Papa who always tells the 'real' story about halfway into an episode.

The Waltons

My family, especially my mom's side, is the stereotypical Southern conservative type. There are a lot of us and we're very close. We're from a small town where everyone knows everyone else and their business. There is no need for tabloids in our hometown - just call my grandparents. We have big Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and my grandpa votes in every single election - for the Republican candidates. He did vote for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Primary though. His reason was that McCain would have an easier time beating her if she won the nomination.

I moved to Knoxville in the fall of 2008 to finish my Bachelor's degree at the University of Tennessee. It's a long story, how I ended up there. It involves a career path I wasn't cut out for and a boy who broke my heart. I'd like to thank him, actually. I didn't see it then, but he did me the biggest favor I could ask for. I graduated in December with a degree in Journalism and Electronic Media.

Neyland Stadium

Now I live in Nashville. I work as a social media professional during the day and I write and handle Photos of the Week for GAC, a country music cable channel, at night. I love country music and the music industry. Music is my weakness - and so are the boys that play the guitars. I love this city. I belong here. I've dreamed of living here for the last four years and to actually move here in January was, literally, a dream come true. I'm meant to be here and I don't have a doubt in this world about that.

Nashville

I'm currently single. I'm 25. I live in a small one bedroom apartment in a great part of town. I've got a cat named Skittles who suffers from a personality disorder. I love DIY projects and coming the Nashville Flea Market and Farmer's Market for finds. I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and would love to be a published author one day. I spend the summer months counting down to football season and can tell you just about anything you need to know about the SEC. I've been blessed beyond my wildest dreams and I make sure to thank God every day, whether it's a prayer or just a simple 'thank you' while I'm driving home with a feeling of gratitude in my heart.

I've got a lot of goals and dreams for my life - a successful career, a beautiful home, a happy, loving marriage and happy, healthy kids. But above all, I want to be happy. Because what do you have if you aren't truly happy?

Tunes & Katie's 30 Day Challenge

2011-08-31T10:00:00.001-05:00

Starting tomorrow, Katie over at Katie's Journey is going to be hosting a 30 Day Challenge. Check out the list of topics HERE and link up - it's going to be fun! I'm cheating a little and writing some of my posts ahead and scheduling them since my schedule is so hectic, but it should be a fun link up!

I've slacked on Tunes on Tuesday for the last couple of Tuesdays, but I'm going to share what I'm listening to now, on Wednesday. LOTS of new music!

First up - Luke Bryan's new album, Tailgates & Tanlines.

My favorite songs are "Drunk On You" and "I Don't Want This Night To End" which I believe is set to be his next single. And of course, "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" is a favorite. I'm sure not a day has gone by in at least two months that I haven't danced to it."Tailgate Blues" is also a favorite.

Next, Pistol Annies' debut album, Hell On Heels.

I love all three of these girls separate and when you put them together, something magic happens. I've already expressed my love for "Hell On Heels" but you MUST listen to "Boys From The South." Some of the songs are a little more vivid such as "Housewife's Prayer" and "Takin' Pills" but that's what I love about this album and these girls - they're as real as they come.

And my most recent acquisition, out this week, Jake Owen's new album, Barefoot Blue Jean Night.

If you're a country fan at all, I'd be shocked if you haven't been cranking "Barefoot Blue Jean Night." It's my summer anthem, hands down. The co-writer is Eric Paslay who's debut single, "Never Really Wanted," is at radio now and one my favorite songs of the moment. Plug for him - it comes out on iTunes September 6! Jake's whole album is good, but I've been rocking out to "Wide Awake" which was co-written by ANOTHER new artist, Brett Eldredge ("Raymond") as well "Settin' The World On Fire," co-written by still ANOTHER new artist, Kip Moore. I highly recommend Kip's music too. "Mary Was The Marrying Kind" is his debut single but YouTube "Hey Pretty Girl." You'll melt.

Are you listening to any of these albums?

No Cows Allowed

2011-08-30T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of hair. A LOT of hair. It's long, it's thick and there is a LOT of it. I used to keep it fairly short but have grown it out over the last couple years. And since it was allowed past my shoulders again - I think 3rd grade was the last time it was this long - it has taken on a mind of it's own.

Y'all, I have a cowlick. A cowlick! I have NEVER had a cowlick! And it's not an easy one to cover up, either. It's right above my right temple and every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of a certain scene from Something About Mary. Okay. That was dramatic. But for someone who has never dealt with a cowlick in her life, this is a dramatic and developing situation.

I can kind of tame it with the hairdryer and a battery of products. But only for about half the day and then it revives itself. Then there is the problem where I only wash my hair every other day so on days like today when no hairdryer is necessary, it really takes on a life of its own and no amount of product/water/hairbrushes will save me. Any tips or tricks on corralling this thing?

My other long hair issue - which I don't generally mind - is that it has become wavy. The longer it gets, the wavier. It used to be pin straight. If I let it air dry, it's super wavy. But here's the catch. It only looks good when I don't need it to. Try to get those awesome waves to go to work or out on the town? It's a big fail, generally about half wavy, half straight and taking on the overall look of someone who didn't brush their hair that morning. Take a shower and spend Saturday night on the couch watching movies? Waves for days. Obnoxious, obnoxious.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

How Soon Is Too Soon?

2011-08-26T10:48:00.000-05:00

It's been a very scattered week so this will be a very scattered post - my third this week so yay for making goals!

- How soon is too soon to decorate for fall? I've decided Labor Day weekend is perfect, even if I do live in the South and am fully aware that our run of 90 degree temperatures isn't over just because the stores are selling pumpkins.

- We only have one more Saturday without SEC football. Praise the Lord!

- My family lives just 27 miles east of the epicenter of the East Coast Earthquake. Once I confirmed all were well, I had to laugh. My 11 year old sister told me it 'shook the dog right off the couch.' If you knew our family dog, Abby, you would laugh too. Abby's pampered life consists of eating, sleeping and begging for table scraps. This was all very traumatic for her.

- In other earthquake news, my sweet grandma slept through it. She's 84 and lives alone. My dad called to check on her. Let me preface this my pointing out my aunt lives 2 houses down. Grandma tells him: "Oh I'm fine. It woke me up from a really good nap. But I reckon it shook right good at Karen's. It broke all of her shot glasses." Bless Grandma's heart.

- I want to make this bad boy this weekend. Or at least start on it. Word on the street is that it's a time consuming project.

- I'm going to the Nashville Flea Market tomorrow. I love this place. It happens the 3rd weekend of every month and you can get just about anything there. I especially love all the craft vendors. Such talented people. I'll try to remember my camera so I can blog about it.

- I'm having lunch with a friend at Cracker Barrel tomorrow. Chicken and dumplings, y'all!

- I am so so excited about the Pioneer Woman's new cook show. And so so disappointed I won't be home when it premieres tomorrow. But that's what the internet is for, right?

- Choosing stationary is as hard as choosing a husband.

- I'm reading the cutest book right now. In a nutshell, a southerner moves to Vermont with her husband and two little girls and her life falls apart. But rather than be depressing, it is hilarious. I was laughing out loud over my lunch yesterday. The sequel, Yankee Doodle Dixie, comes out next month.

- Hurricane Irene is hurting my heart. I grew up spending a part of the summer in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and watching the Today show reporting from my favorite haunts this week as the islands brace for more or less a direct hit hurts. They just got their feet back on the ground after Isabelle tore through. And to think they are considering evacuating NYC is overwhelming. I felt guilty when the weatherman said Nashville is in for a beautiful weekend.

- The twins started middle school this week. My mom is devastated as she has no more 'babies.' They absolutely love it. I had to demand to speak to my mother when I called last night as they had both house phones telling me about school, their classes and everything in between. Usually they don't have a second to spare from their social lives to talk to their big sister - unless they want something.

- I'm wearing orange today. God bless Pat Summitt.

Yellow & Gray

2011-08-24T11:39:00.002-05:00

I'm convinced I was an interior designer in another life. I love browsing Pinterest and pinning rooms that I love for future inspiration, not to mention color combinations. Lately, I've been drawn to yellow and gray palettes - as evidenced by my blog, ha! My love for this color combo extends from living rooms, bedrooms and even baby nurseries and weddings. Check out some of the Yellow & Gray lovelies I've found on Pinterest lately.

I love the pops of color in this room.

Maybe a little dark for my tastes, but it looks so cozy.

I love everything about this. The rug makes the room.

Of all the rooms in a house, I'd be most likely to go yellow & gray in my bedroom. And I'd want it to look like this.

Not really any yellow, but I love this room. We can add yellow as fit.

While I'm not a big fan of the lamps or most of the throw pillows, I love this room. The rug especially.

The other room I'd be likely to take this palette to would be a baby's room. This nursery is so sweet.

Can't say I'd put stripes on the ceiling, but again, I love this room. It's calming.

A favorite. The room is a little small for all that furniture, but I really love this, especially the chevron wall. Chevron is another obsession I have lately.

I would have never considered this palette for my future wedding until I see this.

How fun and unique.

There isn't any yellow in this one, but that flower girl is just too stinkin' cute!

Adventures In The Air

2011-08-22T15:53:00.001-05:00

I was in Greensboro over the weekend for my sorority's National Board meeting. I was elected to serve as National Marketing Director for the next two years and I'm super excited to get some of these new projects from the weekend off the ground. Lots of good things happening!

Now, I don't mind flying at all. But have mercy on all the logistics of it all. It's enough to make a girl want to pull her hair out. It all started on Thursday. I worked half a day then drove to the airport. Finding a parking spot took me ~~2452432 hours~~ a good 20 minutes. Then, I had to hop a shuttle to get to the terminal. Checking in was no hassle but oh how I hate airport security. Who doesn't?

I got to my gate a solid hour before my flight so I relaxed in the surprisingly comfortable seats and waited to board. I was scheduled for an hour layover in Hell - known also as Atlanta's airport - and was hoping all would be on schedule because did I mention Atlanta's airport is Hell? An hour layover may as well be 10 minutes in that place. Naturally, we were delayed on the runway for no other reason than our pilot didn't take off on time. 20 minutes behind schedule, we got in the air.

In Atlanta, we landed at concourse D. Yours truly had to be at concourse B to catch her connection to Greensboro which was loading. Much to my dismay, I had no real option but to jump on the train in Atlanta's airport. I do not like that thing one bit. It's tiny and enclosed inside a dark and enclosed tunnel and goes rather fast. I made it, however, and made it to Greensboro on time. I think finally finding your gate in the Atlanta airport must be what its like when Harry Potter finally finds a Horcrux.

Then I got lost in the Greensboro airport which is the size of a postage stamp. My hotel had on demand shuttle service which came the moment I called but I couldn't find my way out of the airport. I finally sucked it up and confessed to information that I was lost. Because God has a sense of humor, the information desk - which I passed at least 3 times prior - was located directly across from the shuttle landing area. And my shuttle, in all it's white and green glory, was there waiting.

After a successful weekend of training and planning for my sorority's next two years, I took the shuttle back to the airport, checked in, breezed through security and - got delayed. This time I was flying to Cincinnati. We were delayed nearly an hour as they had decided to switch out our plane. To top it off, when we finally boarded, not only was it a tiny plane with valet carry on, I had the very last seat - right next to the toilet. Awesome.

I made it to Cincinnati 25 minutes before my flight to Nashville instead of being able to enjoy a leisurely 1 hour layover. Then I had to wait for my bag to be brought out to me. Sheer dumb luck though had my gates side by side. The catch? They had also traded out my plane to Nashville and had to reassign seating. This time? I ended up in the very front row. I have to say, I liked it.

I made it back to Nashville on time, then couldn't figure out where to catch the shuttle to my car. All the while my dad was on the phone, trying to be helpful and failing as he's never been to Nashville, let alone the Nashville airport. By then, I was hungry, tired and just plain ready to be back in my beloved Nashville.

I made it to my apartment around 10:30 - following a quick drive thru visit to McDonald's - and only had one article due for GAC so I was able to get in bed just after midnight. I'm dragging today and have SO much to do this evening, like the grocery shopping I usually do on the weekends.

I get to do this all again in a few weeks. I'm going to Indianapolis for a conference and will have a layover in Chicago both ways. On that note - any suggestions for 'must dos' in Indy? Particularly 'must eats?' As a good Tennessee girl, I will be on the lookout for Peyton Manning.

Some Things & Some Stuff

2011-08-15T15:47:00.000-05:00

I like to make lists. Lists make the world go around. Lists and Post-It notes. Seriously, what did people do before Post-It notes? I want to know. I also want to know what the point is to decaff coffee. There is none. Can't be. Decaff coffee is just silly. Anyway...

In my shiny new planner - which initially just had UT football dates written in it because a girl has to have her priorities - I have taken to making a list of goals for each week. This is dead useful and I've been surprised at how well I've stuck to making them happen. Seeing them written down in black and white definitely helps. One of those goals has been 'Blog 3x a Week.' I've written this for the last two weeks. Clearly, I've failed. Unless you account for the fact that I blog for GAC every night in which case I've blogged WAY more than 3x a week. I wrote it down for this week too. Since this is post 1 of my 3 times promise, I figure I'm already one step ahead of the game. We'll see what happens the rest of the week. The rest of this post will be, for lack of better word, a brain dump.

~ I love and adore Old Navy's V-Neck t-shirts this season. They're so unbelievable soft. I bought two and will be going back this week to buy more now that I've worn them and fallen in love with them.

~ Eli Young Band's "Crazy Girl" was certified gold (it sold over 500,000 digital copies) and has been out since March yet is just now cracking the Top 20 at radio. Eric Church's new album sold almost 145,000 copies in one week and yet he's never had a Top 5 hit. Make of that what you will. And this probably only makes sense to me and my music industry geek self.

~ I was elected the National Marketing Director of my sorority and I'm PUMPED. I'm going to Greensboro this weekend for training and planning for the National Board and at present, believe I can travel with just a carry on. My mom laughed when I told her this. It is rather comical seeing as I bring 4 big bags for a weekend trip home.

~ I need to go BUY a carry on. Seems my suitcase is in Virginia.

~ I've been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred since August 1. Today will be day 15 and you know what? It's working. And I'm loving it. With my travel this week, I might not be able to do it, but I'm taking the DVD and good intentions with me. The hotel has a gym, after all.

~ The new Luke Bryan CD is fabulous. I've had "Drunk On You" on repeat. Boom Boom.

~ My brother and sister start middle school next week. My mom is devastated - no more 'babies.' The twins, on the other hand, are excited and obsessed with which new outfit they'll be wearing on the first day.

~ One of these days, I'm going to call my dad and ask a question that will be just dumb enough for him to disown me. I got pretty close this weekend when I called with questions about adding oil to my car. He was happy to tell me what kind to buy but asking which way to pour it was a little too much. Sometimes I'm more of a girl than he can handle.

~ I'm obsessed to Bath Junkie. Anyone tried them? You essentially create your own fragrance. It's a little more expensive than your average lotion/shower gel/etc. but it just smells so good. My personal fragrance is oatmeal, milk, honey and mango. It smells divine. And I'm out. It'll be weekend after next before I can make it to Bath Junkie to restock however - they close before I can get there after work.

~ I need new hair/makeup products. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of just walking into Sephora/Ulta and letting the consultants have their way with me. If I like it, I'll buy.

~ My fingernails are peeling something awful. Nothing has helped - OPI Nail Envy, Hard as Nails... My mom works for a dermatologist and in between the two of them trying to marry off me and one of the derm's sons, she had my mom send me a giant box of 'stuff' with a page of instructions. It's complex and starts with 'No polish whatsoever for 6 months.' I ALWAYS have at least clear polish. This is going to be difficult.

~ Life is good, Clark.

Let's see if I make posts 2 & 3 this week....

Hell on Heels

2011-07-26T15:53:00.000-05:00

It's Tuesday! Which means it's time for Tunes on Tuesday. This week, I'm sharing one of my current song obsessions - "Hell On Heels" by the Pistol Annies.

You might recognize Miranda Lambert as part of this trio. Miranda, along with her good friends Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley have formed the Pistol Annies and to be blunt because being blunt is the only way to go when Miranda Lambert is involved, they kick ass. They're debut album will be released August 23.

Don't worry - Miranda isn't quitting her solo career. She's got a new album coming out in November and new music should be making its way to your ears any day now.

What I love about this song is that I feel like I could rule the world after I listen to it. My dad always tells me I'm 'hell on heels' since I almost always have heels on (nude peep toe pumps right now) so maybe that's where my fondness comes from. It must be, seeing as the song is more or less about sugar daddies...

On another note, Eric Church's new album, Chief, is out today. I haven't listened to anything off of it yet - which is sad seeing as I had a preview copy - but people are absolutely raving about it. I'm thinking I'll take a listen this evening. Eric likes to push the mold so I'm intrigued. A friend of mine who is highly critical of all things music has been tweeting his obsession about it all day so if he likes it, it must be good.

Also out today is Randy Montana's self-titled debut album. Haven't listened to this one yet either, but I've got a soft spot for Randy for a few reasons and I love his single "1,000 Faces."

Monday Feel Goods

2011-07-25T11:48:00.001-05:00

Since Mondays can be, well, Mondays, I thought I'd share some feel good from Pinterest to hopefully brighten and/or inspire you this Monday.

A favorite of mine -

This? This I'm working on procuring for my apartment. I LOVE it.

I have this at my desk - and am the only girl in my department. Keeping it real, right here.

Another favorite - I just love Alice In Wonderland.

And because it's Monday....

Happy Monday, everyone! I've got LOTS to accomplish before I go to bed tonight (including watching The Bachelorette!) so it's back at it I go!

Life with Skittles

2011-07-23T21:03:00.000-05:00

This is Skittles.

I took this with my phone one morning a month or so ago. It was barely daylight and she had woken me in her usual manner - clawing my bookshelf at precisely 5:30am. On the dot. Every morning. Without fail. Weekend or not. Following our usual round "Skittles! No!" and spraying her with the squirt bottle, she jumped in the bed and proceeded to claw/bat/bounce/rub herself against my head until I got out of bed and fed her.

I'm not a cat person. I've had cats through the years, but I've always always had a dog. I'm just a dog person. But a friend of a friend needed a new home for her cat, Skittles, as her husband was allergic, a fact they didn't know when the cat was adopted. So I got suckered into taking her and even left her name Skittles (though I'm not a fan) since the woman's little girls named her. Personally, I'd like to call her Minerva. You Harry Potter fans understand.

Sometimes, Skittles is sweet. Like right now. Right now, as I type this, she's laying beside me, curled into what looks to be an uncomfortable position but she's cute and asleep. Thing is, if I were to reach out and pet her right now, she'd likely roll over and attack my hand. She rolls like that.

Most of the time, Skittle is wrecking havoc. She did this number on my closet a few days ago, for no other reason than the fact that I'd left the door open.

The bottom of the bookcase in my bedroom looks like this:

Having tried the often recommended 'spray her with a stream of water every time she starts clawing it' trick and having it fail, I Googled other methods. I'm not sure what about the piece of the furniture appeals to her, but it's the ONLY piece that she does this to. She's ruined the finish. It's not like she doesn't have plenty of scratching toys. I tried dried orange peels. She just played with those. So then I moved on to balloons. In theory, she'd scratch one, it would pop and the noise would scare her from doing it again.

So far, the only thing this has managed to do is wake me up in the middle of the night when she pops one. Right now, the shelf is stuffed full of balloons and blocked by pillows. But no worries. She just jumps up onto the shelf above it now, not only clawing and working on ruining the finish there, but knocking over several photos in the process.

The cat loves pipe cleaners. I bought some for a DIY project and made the mistake of leaving the package in the floor overnight. I woke up to pipe cleaners ALL over my apartment. She can also open cabinet doors and climb in but is too dense to figure out how to get out. She's a big fan of getting under the bathroom sink - that's where the cotton balls are. Or were as I got tired of coming home to wads of cotton here, there and everywhere. You'd think it would be easier for her to get OUT of the cabinet rather than IN the cabinet, but that's not the case.

The toilet is her absolute favorite thing. She refuses to drink from her dish. I've given her tap water, filtered water, even bottled water and nothing. I've even tried other dishes/bowls. She just prefers the toilet. She done this at her former home as well, it seems, taking it as far as to not drink anything at all for a few days straight when they closed the toilet lids.

The thing with the toilet though? She likes to drop things into it. Pipe cleaners especially. Cotton balls, toys - nothing is off limits, however.

The night I took these I had come back from dinner with friends and found no less than 6 pipe cleaners floating in my toilet. I'm not even sure where those came from. I thought I'd found them all. Apparently not. I'm working on breaking this. I'm tired of having to disinfect the toilet before I can use it. It's not going so well. Her former owners are right - she won't drink out of her bowl, even if you close the lid for days at a time. Weirdo.

She's also a fan of hiding between the cloth shower curtain and plastic liner. That's a lot of fun. You use the bathroom, wash your hands and then while drying them off, a blur of orange comes out of nowhere and attacks the back of your leg. Or else nothing but vicious orange paws appear as you walk past, scratching the feet quite well.

I've learned not to put my drink on the coffee table anymore either. This is a typical night in my apartment - her doing something she's not supposed to, me with the squirt bottle I know does nothing but earn me a dirty look before she continues doing whatever she's doing.

She likes to play in the middle of the night. She used my face as a launching pad in pursuit of a stuffed boot full of cat nip a couple nights ago. I have tiny little claw marks on my eye lid and above and below my eyebrow. It didn't feel good. I shed a few tears, in fact. Not a fun way to wake up.

She went missing the other night. I finally discovered where she was. That was one of those rare moments when I thought she was kinda sweet. Even if my pool towel was full of hair when I pulled it out next.

I'll leave you with this picture, also snapped with my phone (most of these were). This picture pretty much accurately sums up Skittles the cat.

Learned On Pinterest

2011-07-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

Do you pin?

I am utterly addicted to Pinterest. I ~~begged and pleaded for~~ received an invite to join from a friend and haven't looked back. I absolutely love it. I was forever bookmarking pages of recipes or DIY projects I wanted to try or else downloading photos of things I liked and then having no idea why 3 months later when I'd stumble across them on my hard drive. Pinterest makes it so easy to keep all of it in one space, all neat and organized. I like organization. It makes the world go around. Or at least my world.

At first, I just pinned my heart out. I'd go through the boards I follow first, then click on 'everything' and sift through those, pinning anything that struck my fancy. Then I got savvy and realized I could search for things which has since led to the creation of many more boards and even more ideas. Not to mention that you can install the 'Pin It' button into your toolbar and pin from most anywhere on the internet or upload from your hard drive. Basically, I need a house, a fiance and a baby to decorate/cook for/dress/plan a party/wedding in order to make said ideas happen.

I've noticed though that I have a certain 'taste' on Pinterest. I was looking through what I pinned and realized a common theme among all my pins for interior design/home decor. Nearly everything I pin is shabby chic,vintage or at the least, in a bright color palette - lots of whites, grays, blues and yellows with a little green thrown in. And zebra. Zebra tends to crop in too. I also really love kitchens, it seems. Here are some of my favorite pins:

Love the idea of using an old wooden latter as a shelf. I've also seen them used in the bathroom to hang towels and in kitchens to hang pots and pans. My dad has always had these old wooden things laying around. He's under strict instruction to never throw them away.

I will sell my soul for a kitchen like this one day. Especially since I have about thismuch counter space in my apartment.

I have a love affair with absolutely everything about this bedroom.

I'd be willing to discuss trading some of my shoes for this outdoor space.

Simply because this made me smile and is just stinkin' adorable.

Are you pinning? What do you use Pinterest for? I've got a ridiculous amount of holiday decor ideas, party ideas and even wedding ideas. Not to mention food. I've got so many recipes I want to try. Although judging by the ones I've pinned it seems I only eat food with chicken or pumpkin in it. Not far from the truth, actually. At least the chicken part.

If you aren't on Pinterest yet, but would like to be, let me know in the comments - leave your email address and I'll send you an invite! Here's the link to my boards if you want to check them out and/or follow me! Sarah's Pins >>

Tunes on Tuesday... and Stuff

2011-07-19T10:34:00.001-05:00

Last week was one of those weeks where the weekend just looks so far away. I don't think I was ever more appreciative of ~~5:00~~ 5:15 on Friday as I was this past week. It was just a busy, busy week that wasn't necessarily the smoothest on any front. But it could have been so much worse. I spent the weekend doing things I've never done before.

The first and most impressive new experience... I went canoeing! A few friends and I drove about 45 minutes south of Nashville and spent a few leisurely hours on the Duck River. It was perfect - the weather, the scenery, the company. There are pictures, but we went old school and took them with a film camera. None of us wanted to run the risk of ruining our nice digital cameras should we wind up in the river instead of floating on top of it so one of my friends picked up a cheap film camera. It'll be fun to see how those shots turned out!

Saturday I went to a movie all by myself. I had invites to go see Harry Potter with friends both at midnight and a couple different showings on both Friday and Saturday, but for one reason or another, I couldn't make it. I was dying to see it - and effectively end my childhood - so I decided what the heck, I'll go alone.

It was the best thing I've done in a while. I needed the solitude of a dark theater with familiar characters after the week I'd had. It could not have been a more perfect way for me to spend my Saturday night after a long week. The movie was utterly amazing and I cannot wait to see it again. I cried through most of it, but when you grow up with those characters, there's an emotional attachment, not to mention the fact that Harry Potter is truly over now - no books, no movies!

But then... After the movie... I realized I'd lost my glasses. The final thing from the weekend I've never done before. I am blind as a bat without glasses on. I'm vain and take them off when I'm out on the town or in just about any other social setting, but I absolutely must have them to work/read/drive. I've tried contacts a number of times, but my astigmatism is so bad in my right eye that the doctor has had trouble getting me fitted with a prescription that works 100% of the times so glasses it is.

I have no idea how I lost them. I know they were lost in the theater. I took them off in the bathroom, put them in my case and then put them in my purse. I distinctly remember seeing the blue and white polka dot case in my purse, with my glasses in it. The only thing I took out of my purse after I put the case in there was my cell phone and that was in a side pocket. I checked lost in found, had an usher help me search the theater and called back Sunday to see if they were turned in. No such luck.

Having suffered for the last 18 or so hours without being able to so much as read my Facebook feed without blowing my screen up to giant, I had to find someone who was A) open on a Sunday and B) could get my glasses made in a timely fashion. I didn't have a copy of my prescription, not that it would matter as it was 18 months old and time for a new exam anyway, so I ended up going to an Optometrist instead of to church (on the mall!!! Clearly an emergency) as they were the only people open. I love my new glasses though so it all worked out okay in the end, just cost me a Sunday afternoon and a few hundred dollars, ha!

And finally, Tunes on Tuesday.

Today's recommendation is one I mentioned last week - "Never Really Wanted" by Eric Paslay (PASS-lay). I've been looking for a link to the radio edit of this song that I can share with you as I can't share the preview link I received from the label, but haven't had much luck. Below is a pretty good acoustic version of Eric performing the song for a station during his radio tour which he's on now and you can hear a sample of the radio edit here.

This guy is going places. I can't get this song out of my head and have spent a lot of time dancing around to it in my living room and waiting for it to drop to iTunes so I can have a downloadable copy. He co-wrote Jake Owen's "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" as well as a cut on the new Lady Antebellum album coming out in September. Take a listen!

Tunes on Tuesday

2011-07-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I'm a huge music fan. I've done a lot of posts on music and have been known to do a 'Tune Tuesday' post highlighting what I'm listening to right now. There's even a page for my current musical obsessions. Since Tuesday is new album release day (and Mondays are the day new music general goes for radio adds), I'm going to bring back my Tuesday feature and call it 'Tunes of Tuesday.'

Today, two big albums came out - Chris Young's Neon and Blake Shelton's Red River Blue.

I haven't heard too much of Blake's yet, but what I heard, I like. I'd say pick it up if you're a B.S. fan. Getting a copy is on my to-do list.

Neon, however... I had the privilege of hearing this in advance and also got to talk a little with Chris about his new music. This is a fantastic album. The lead single "Tomorrow" is a huge hit. Other standouts - "I Can Take It From There," "You," "When She's On," and "She's Got This Thing About Her." If you only listen to one song on this album, make it "She's Got This Thing About Her." Beautiful lyrics, stunning arrangement.

Being 'in' the industry, I tend to listen to stuff that everyone else will start hearing in 2-3 months. You might remember me recommending "Marry Was The Marrying Kind" by Kip Moore back in March. That track is just now cracking the Top 40 which means it will start to (hopefully) be played more for your listening pleasure. Kip's stuff is incredible so go on YouTube and check him out. Really strong songwriter.

There's a song coming out soon by new artist Eric Paslay on 7/25 called "Never Really Wanted" that I got to preview last night. I can't share the link with you yet, but I absolutely cannot wait for you to hear it. Eric wrote Jake Owen's "Barefoot Blue Jean Night," by the way. Fun little aside for you. And Kip also has a Jake Owen cut on Jake's upcoming album. Clearly, Jake knows what's up with these up and coming singer/songwriters. If you do a search on YouTube, you can find Eric performing "Never Really Wanted" acoustically for radio stations.

Recipe - Buffalo Chicken Rolls

2011-07-11T21:54:00.001-05:00

I love spicy food. Not too spicy, but with a nice little kick. Saturday night, I made buffalo chicken rolls and they were to die for! I have to share - your life won't be complete until you make these! They're great for an appetizer or to serve at parties - especially a football party.

Ingredients: Chicken (boiled and shredded), blue cheese, dry broccoli slaw, hot sauce, egg roll wrappers

Having already boiled and shredded the chicken, mix in hot sauce to taste. The chicken soaks this up pretty quick so you might want to sample as you go so as to avoid overdoing it.

Spoon some chicken onto the corner of an egg roll wrapper, top with slaw (this will soften when you bake it) and spoonful of crumbled blue cheese. Preheat your oven to 400 while you're doing this.

Then we roll. Best method - fold the corner over the chicken and cheese. Then fold in the sides, rolling it over to finish the wrap. Because I'm sure that makes absolute sense to you.

Just before they go into the oven (those 3 little ones are something different than the buffalo chicken rolls - I'll share those in another post!).

Bake on 400 for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool a few minutes then dip in your choice of ranch (my preference) or blue cheese dressing. You'll be wondering where these have been your whole life!

I've been making a real effort to eat healthier lately so I baked these. But I think they'd be fantastic in a deep fryer as well. Whenever I go home for a visit again, I'll be making these bad boys in my stepdad's giant fryer!

Ingredients:

Chicken, boiled and shredded

Hot sauce

Dry broccoli slaw

Blue Cheese
Egg Roll Wrappers

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 400 (or heat your oil if you're deep drying)

Having already boiled your chicken, mix in hot sauce to taste. Remember, the chicken will soak up the hot sauce so the chicken can get pretty spicy, pretty quick.

Put a heap of chicken, a sprinkle of slaw and a spoonful of blue cheese on the corner of an egg roll wrapper.

Wrap up the wrapper in egg roll form

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy with dip of your choice - Ranch is great!

Let me know if you try this!

Here we go... Newness!

2011-07-11T00:23:00.000-05:00

I've been playing with my blog's layout FOR. EV. ER. and I'm still not satisfied. I just can't decide what I want. I've got too many ideas and not enough focus. Pretty typical, actually. So what you see here, all this yellow and white and cheeriness, is more or less temporary. One of these days, I'll concoct something I'm satisfied with and post it. Or I'll hand off the reins to someone else and let them do it. As my frustration rises, that's looking more likely. In the mean time, this will do. I guess.

I've talked a lot about my blog changing now that I'm out of college and in the 'real world.' That's what this blog is going to be about. Me, fumbling through the adult world and navigating this little wonderland I live in, also known as Nashville. I've become quite the DIY'er and I want to share my projects with you. I've also learned that I love to cook - and that I not only enjoy it, I'm GOOD at it. I want to share that too.

What I'm really excited about, though, is the part of my blog that will be known as 'Mountain Mafia.' Let me explain.

I grew up very rural. My family is very big, very close, and very much your stereotypical southern conservatives. My Papa is determined that all of us will be 'Belles and Gentlemen.' We're raised to mind our manners, hold traditions near and dear and hold each other even closer. But when you grow up in an area as rural as ours, you sometimes have to make your own way, your own fun. And that is where things get entertaining.

I have so many stories about my family that make me laugh, make me cry, make me look back fondly and roll my eyes at the same time. I want to hold on to those. I want to keep them close. Each day, they get pushed a little further back in my mind as I make new memories and have new experiences. I don't want to lose them. I don't want to forget about the time Papa took Brother to the dump then forced him to get in the dumpster or the time Granny left Zach and I alone in the house for 10 minutes and we took out the Yellow Pages to try and find her (that was my idea). I want to be able to pull those stories up sometime down the road and tell my grandchildren.

And so, I'm going to share them with you, for completely selfish reasons. I hope you enjoy them. The friends I've shared some of these anecdotes with always end up in stitches, pondering how I turned out so 'normal' when I come from such an interesting family (it's okay - I've got them fooled). Just last night, photos appeared on Facebook courtesy of cell phones of my mom and stepdad hosting a cookout - in the parking lot of the rather nice hotel they stayed at for my brother's ball tournament. They were grilling deer meat on a small tabletop grill and using cases of Bud Light for tables with about 25 of their friends. Part of my died of embarrassment. The other part of me stood proud and said 'that's my family.'

So I hope you'll stick around, read, interact. I sorta feel like The Pioneer Woman right now, except extracted from a land of cattle and deer in the backyard and plopped down in the middle of Nashville, 5 minutes from Target and a stone's throw away from all the music in the world. Basically, the total opposite of one of my favorite bloggers.

If you visit the recipes tab or the DIY tab, you'll find my first recipe and DIY project. Please click and let me know what you think!

Just Kidding!

2011-06-24T23:03:00.002-05:00

I really do have all the elements to upload to relaunch. But I got wrapped up in the Virgina/South Carolina baseball game that went into (many) extra innings then ended in heartbreak (for UVA fans). I'm so sleepy I don't know if up is up or down is down so I'm going to hit the hay. I'm going to shoot for tomorrow, but I do have a full Saturday planned so the relaunch may happen on Sunday instead.

Hang in there with me!

Almost...

2011-06-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

I've been working on my blog 're-launch' when I get the chance. I'm nearly there. You can probably see some of the subtle changes if you've been a long time reader. I've got a clear vision of where I'm going with this and I'm super excited about it. Tomorrow (today? Friday....) I plan to 're-launch' at some point. Meaning I'm going to do a legitimate post, put up my new About Me, and explain some of the changes while working with a makeshift design until I can make up my mind about what I want.

Stay tuned.

Change Is Good

2011-06-06T22:21:00.003-05:00

I've felt a disconnect to my blog lately. Not to blogging, per se, but to my blog. It came to me today that this blog, to date, has been about my college life, the days of sorority sisters and mixers and football games and the trials and tribulations of finals and being an RA.

These days, I'm a grown up. I have a real 'big girl' job and an apartment and utility bills and student loans to repay. I'm slowly finding my place in the world, learning who I am and what I truly want. And so that has led me to realize that, in order to get back to my regular blogging, it's time to revamp this blog.

In the coming days (probably over the weekend), I'll be re-naming this piece of blogosphere. The URL will remain the same, for now, at least, but 'Wears Inappropriate Shoes' is no longer really pertinent to my daily life since high heels are expected in my professional environment and when it rains, I no longer have to walk to class so there's no longer me walking around UT's hilly campus in flip flops or flats with no umbrella. There will be redesigning and fun and I'm excited.

One thing you can count on, however, is that music will still remain a part of this blog. It's an integral part of my life, whether I'm immersed in it day to day or a freelancer from home. I'll still be recommending new artists and raving about my favorites. You can bet I'll still be sharing the musical shenanigans I find myself a part of in Nashville. And if you're looking for some new music for your iPod, might I recommend Kip Moore debut single, "Marry Was The Marrying Kind" as well as Frankie Ballard's self-titled debut album? There's a list of songs, really, but those have been on repeat for a while during my commute. Like how I slipped that in there?

So there you have it. Change is good. This girl is growing up and so is her blog. I hope you'll stick around. :)

I thought for sure...

2011-05-22T16:27:00.003-05:00

Obviously, I have a shoe addiction. It takes about 5 seconds of visiting my blog to figure that one out. So yesterday, I was certain the Rapture was coming because... I went to DSW and left empty-handed. Empty-handed! There was just nothing in there that I loved enough to buy. I proceeded to go to Rack Room and also left there empty handed. Certain it was the end of time, I did the only rational thing I could - went to Candy Craze and bought a big bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans. If Mr. Rapture somehow actually DID manage to predict the end of time, despite the whole thing where not even the angels in Heaven know, than I was going out eating my favorite candy.

But then I stopped in Target, in theory for shelves but who ever goes to Target and leaves with just what they went for? Not me... I ended up buying the cutest pair of orange sandals, absolutely made for Tennessee football games. I did not, however, get the shelves. I'm working on a gallery wall and came up with another solution while I was there. Assuming it works and I actually get it done, I'll share photos.

Technically, I bought 5 pairs of shoes yesterday. I went to Old Navy where they were having their flip flops for $1 and bought 4 pair - black, brown, blue and purple. I don't really count them as shoes though - they're just my go to shoes for running a quick errand or going to the pool/lake. They had their jewelry on sale so I picked up some super cute earrings and a necklace. I also had some success in TJ Maxx, picking up a couple of picture frames that match my living room perfectly.

I also came home with two cookbooks yesterday - The Pioneer Woman Cooks and 1001 Cupcakes, Cookies and other Tempting Treats. I think that pretty much qualifies me for my own cooking show, no? It seems like I spent a ton of money yesterday, writing all that out, but everything was on sale so I really didn't!

I'll end with Keely's Getting To Know You Sunday. Head over to her blog to link up!

the q's.

1. what's your favorite rainy day activity?

Curling up with a book or a good movie and having nowhere to go, nowhere to be. Naturally, it seems to only rain when I have to go to work, taking extra care to pour it's hardest while I'm navigating Nashville interstates during rush hour.

2. what time do you go to bed?

I try to hit the sack by midnight. I manage it most nights, but not always.

3. how many magazines do you subscribe to?

2 - Cosmo and Elle. I'm toying with subscribing to Southern Living for the recipes and decor ideas.

4. did you sell all your belongings because you thought the world was ending yesterday?

As evidenced above, I merely bought more.

5. what's your beauty obsession?

John Freida's leave-in conditioner. I love it.

6. if you could only wear one designer/brand for the rest of your life...what would it be?

Tough... I've been wearing a lot of J Crew and Banana Republic lately. So... Those?

7. what's your summer must have?

Sundresses and sweet tea. I'm a southern girl, what can I say?

8. do you make weekly dinner menus?

Not really. I usually think ahead of what I would like to eat that week though. I just came home from the grocery store - looks like I'll be having lots of salad this week!