THE LONE BELLOW - THEN CAME THE MORNING RELEASE

So, one of my favorite bands just released a new album and I just feel like I have to share it with you because it's amazing. Have you all heard of The Lone Bellow? If not, you are seriously missing out. They are a band from Brooklyn, and their music is a rare kind that doesn't sound like everything else (in my opinion) and has a beautiful blend of vocals and emotion. Their newest album (released yesterday), Then Came The Morning, is incredible. Typically there are one or two songs I don't particularly love on an album, but this one knocks it out of the park. Personal favorites include Fake Roses, Take My Love, and Call To War. 

Listen, listen!

101 in 1001

I've been working on this list for awhile, so it's about time I actually share it with you all! One of my blogger faves, Mackenzie Horan, started this bucket list project a few years back called 101 things in 1001 days. It's exactly how it sounds - you make a list of 101 things you want to do and try to complete them all in 1001 days, which is just under 3 years. I feel like I've actually done a lot that might have been on my list a year ago, so this was harder than I expected! I hope you enjoy my #101in1001 and I will be keeping you all posted on my adventures and accomplishments. Anything I am totally missing?!

1.   Travel to a city I’ve never been

2.      Travel to a state I’ve never been

3.      Travel outside of the country

4.      Volunteer for a cause I’m passionate about

5.      See a show on Broadway

6.      Send a friend a care package “just because”

7.      Learn to make Kranskugen (a family Christmas tradition - it's like a breakfast pastry!)

8.      Host a brunch party

9.      Host a dinner party

10.  Start a book club - November 2014

11.  Read every night before bed for a month

12.  Make myself lunch every (work) day for a month

13.  Learn calligraphy

14.  Go sky diving

15.  Visit Cummings Falls (Nashville)

16.  Visit Peter at South Carolina

17.  Visit David at his TBD college

18.  Be published on a website

19.  Grow my own herbs

20.  Go on a girl’s trip with my sorority sisters

21.  Buy a professional camera and learn to use it

22.  Join a church I connect with and love

23.  Join a bible study - January 2015

24.  Read the Bible in its entirety

25.  Go to a major sporting event

26.  Go to the drive-in movie outside of Nashville

27.  Go cabrewing

28.  See a show at the Grand Ole Opry

29.  Host a parent’s weekend with my friends

30.  Take a wine pairing class

31.  Take a cooking class

32.  Eat lobster on the east coast

33.  Write snail mail 5x instead of texting

34.  Donate to IU for a year, even if small

35.  Save $20 a week for a year

36.  Buy a pair of Converse sneakers

37.  Learn to blowout my hair

38.  Read three “educational” books

39.  Read 8 fictional books

40.  Go to a college tailgate outside the SEC or Big Ten

41.  Go back to IU for a basketball game

42.  Have my grandma tell me stories about growing up

43.  Make a full course dinner for someone I love

44.  See the Grand Canyon

45.  Visit wineries in California

46.  Buy a piece of art I love

47.  Attend a blogging conference

48.  Watch 5 classic movies I’ve never seen

49.  Splurge on something I love (shoes, purse, dress)

50.  Do something that scares me

51.  Go on a long vacation with my family

52.  Go rock climbing

53.  Have a 5-year college reunion

54.  Learn to grill… Well.

55.  Go a month without shopping

56.  Pay off my credit card in full each month for a year

57.  Find an exercise routine I stick to for a month

58.  Run a 5k

59.  Run a 10k

60.  Send birthday cards to my friends

61.  Try 8 new restaurants in Nashville

62.  Take a day trip somewhere outside the city

63.  Have a honky tonk bar crawl with friends

64.  Have a mom & daughter weekend in NYC visiting my sister

65.  Go to a Sounds game in the new stadium

66.  Buy a bike

67.  Ride bikes around Nashville

68.  Go to 3^rd & Lindsley for a show

69.  Go to Marathon Music Works for a show

70.  Visit the Belle Meade Mansion

71.  Go to the Bluebird

72.  Host a cookie decorating party - December 2014, Christmas cookies!

73.  Surprise someone

74.  Turn off my phone for 24 hours

75.  Go to the driving range

76.  See Hootie and the Blowfish in Charleston

77.  Attend my 10-year high school reunion

78.  Breeder’s Cup in Lexington

79.  Bourbon trail in Kentucky - November 2014

80. Do an apartment tour on my blog
81.  Take a career risk

82.  Go camping

83.  Edit my closet to only things I love

84.  Go to a pumpkin patch/corn maze

85.  Bake a pie (literally the only thing I’ve never attempted baking)

86.  Host a theme party

87.  Start posting regular outfit posts on the blog

88.  Get coffee with someone in the Nashville community I don’t know

89.  Make my own pasta

90.  Make my own ice cream

91.  Play 9 holes of golf

92.  Play tennis with my dad

93.  Make my bed every morning for a month

94.  Have a picnic

95.  Start a tradition

96.  Do a DIY post on the blog

97.  Go to Motown Mondays in Nashville

98.  Leave a 100% tip

99.  Send someone flowers just because

100.   Have a girls night sleepover

101.   Celebrate 101 things in 1001 days!

SHE READS TRUTH

In 2014, one of my goals was to find a bible study to join, but unfortunately, that didn't work out how I had hoped.  So this year, me and two of my friends decided to take matters into our own hands and create our own, inviting some of our close friends to join. We had our first meeting last night and I am so excited to spend the next 6 weeks and beyond discussing the Bible and growing and strengthening my faith with the 11 other girls in our group. 

So how did we decide what to study? There are so many resources out there, but we ultimately landed on a study packet from She Reads Truth. I like that there are a variety of different plans to choose from and that they are easily accessible - you can purchase a physical study packet or download a plan on the app or on the site. I also like that it's not necessary to have a group to do this with - it can definitely be a self guided study.

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I highly recommend purchasing the study packet. They are beautiful and I think it will be cool to go back when we first started and see what I wrote. With each packet you get a journal to write down your notes, prayers, questions, etc, plus 1-2 scripture prints and scripture memorization cards. I'm already thinking about purchasing the Lent study packet in addition to what we are doing now, and I love so many of the prints - I just wish I had somewhere in my apartment to put all of them!

Have y'all ever heard of She Reads Truth? Do you have any other recommendations?

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This post was not sponsored by She Reads Truth. I genuinely love the company and would recommend to anyone!

Kendra Scott New Arrivals

I am a really big fan of Kendra Scott. I got this necklace as a gift last year and you've probably seen it on a ton of bloggers. Let me tell you - it's worth every penny. I'm REALLY excited about the new spring arrivals though. The new collection is inspired by gardens, flowers, and nature, and you can see that in the soft, almost pastel colors. I think these earrings have to be mine - great to dress up a simple black dress or a white tank in the summer. 

See all the new arrivals here and Kendra's spring inspiration in this look book.

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Shop (counter clockwise): Hanna Bracelet // Turquoise Statement Earrings // Kaki Baguette Earrings // Jo Bar Stud Earrings // Harlie Statement Necklace // Aussie Open Ring

RED QUINOA + VEGGIE BOWL

In the new year, I'm trying to eat healthier lunches. Lunch is not exactly my favorite meal unless I can go home and make a panini quickly. Otherwise, cold subs and salads just typically don't do the trick for me and I'm eating leftovers from dinner the night before. My friend gave me a suggestion though, and it was so delicious I feel like I need to share it with you all! This red quinoa + veggie bowl left me feeling full and satisfied (difficult) and gave me enough energy to make it through the day. 

Red Quinoa + Veggie Bowl

1 bag Frozen Simple Truth Red Quinoa and Brown Rice

1 Red Pepper

1 Yellow Squash

1 Zucchini

Feta Cheese

1 Tbsp Balsamic dressing of your choice

Sautee the vegetables (you can change out, these were just my choices!) in a pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook quinoa and rice according to package instructions. Mix veggies and rice in bowl together, top with feta and dressing. 

So simple, but so good! Do you have any go to lunch recipes? I'm completely up for new ideas!

LOEFFLER RANDALL SPRING 2015

Hello Monday! Everyone, it's 60 degrees here right now and I am LOVING it, despite the fact I have to spend my day at work in a sad cubicle. But regardless, it was beautiful this weekend and it's supposed to be 60 tomorrow, so I can only think about spring and spring clothing. No shame, you all are doing it too, admit it.

So I am absolutely obsessed with Loeffler Randall's spring line of shoes. The Shea Mules have to be mine. I don't know how that's going to happen given the price tag, but when there's a will, there's a way. And how cute are the sandals and leopard espadrilles? The espadrilles would be such a perfect transition shoe into spring, before I feel totally comfortable breaking my pale feet out from boots and into sandals. Why is it only January, and where are you, April?

What do you have your eye on for spring? Love any of these shoes?

WEEKEND

Whew! This week went surprisingly quick and I am HAPPY about that! Last night I went to a wine tasting and had a little too much wine, so things are a little slow and I don't have much for you today other than these pretty images. I added Tumblr to my iPad (I love having an iPad, by the way. Life changing) so it's been super easy to pin new stuff!  Follow me for continued prettiness!

In other big(ish) news, I started an Instagram account exclusively for my blog! The handle is @lovethislifeblog, so hopefully really easy to remember. I'm excited about it and would love your following! Check it out - lots of Nashville spots, new clothes, recipes, and quotes coming to your feed!!!

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend - I'm going to City House tonight for the belly ham pizza with a cracked egg (salivating right now) and some drinks and HIKING tomorrow because it's going to be in the 50s!!!!!! Let's all do a happy dance for that! And Sunday - GO PACK GO!

Peace out, sweet friends! Thank you for your continued support of my blog :)

MINTED + ART MARKETPLACE

When it comes to holiday cards or invitations, I instantly think of Minted. They have beautiful designs and a great offering. What I didn't realize, however, is that Minted has so much more than just cards - day planners, stationery, holiday decor, and most surprising to me, art prints! I seriously was blown away. The art prints are really cool because Minted sources from independent artists across the United States... and you know how I feel about supporting local artists! Plus, the art is well priced and there is a variety of frame options if you want to go that route.

So now that the holidays are over (finally took down my Christmas decorations... 14 days later), I feel like I need to do a little apartment refresh to get in the mood for spring! My apartment feels a little empty and sad without the Christmas decor, so what better time than now?! I've pulled a few of my favorite prints from Minted + fun home accessories to get a more bright, cheerful look going on!

Very springy, but hey,  that's the state of mind I'm in! How great are those prints? This is just a very tiny offering of what is available - so check out the new art marketplace! 

Have a great Thursday, friends! We are almost to the weekend!!!!

Prints: Top// Middle // Bottom

Home Accessories:  Coasters // Diptyque Roses Candle // Jute Braided Pillow // Boxwood Topiary // Lanterns // Deco Shells Pillow

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This post was sponsored by Minted. Thank you to Minted for supporting Love This Life!

LIEBSTER AWARD

One of my favorite things about blogging is connecting with other bloggers throughout the country. I feel very lucky to be nominated by both Megan of The Things She Sees and Andrew of Between the Highway and Home for the Liebster Award. The award is designed to recognize and promote up-and-coming blogs, and it's completely nominated by bloggers.  I went to college with both Megan and Andrew, and while their blogs could not be more different, they are both fellow Hoosiers and I love that! Check out their blogs - both are amazing and I foresee great things for them.

As part of the Liebster Award, I have a few questions to answer, and then bloggers of my own to nominate. Bear with me and the length of this post - I will try to make it short and sweet!

From Megan: 

1. Where does your blog name come from? Life is too short and too special to not be totally, utterly in love with it. Whether it's a fun new piece of clothing, a delicious recipe, or time spent with family and friends, there is always a little something that makes each day and this life wonderful.
2. What are you passionate outside of blogging? Since moving to Nashville, I have become a huge foodie. I'd like to think that it's not in snobbish way, but I genuinely love trying new restaurants that pop up. Nashville has just exploded, especially in the food scene, in the 2.5 years I've lived here. It's kind of incredible.
3. What do you do for a living?  I work for a local ad agency doing media planning.
4. What is your favorite blog? There are so many that I follow, so it's hard to say. I love Annie Reeves, Turquoise and Teale, Holy City Chic, Sequins and Stripes, and Lemon Stripes. Their content is so digestable and easy to read.
5. Who is your biggest celebrity crush? I'm in season 2 of Friday Night Lights, so naturally Tim Riggins. Dreamboat.
6. Name three dream places you want to visit someday. Italy, Wine Country, Spain
7. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far in the blogging world? Going to the Southern Blog Society conference last year was one of the biggest steps I've taken. I literally knew no one, but it was a great opportunity. I'm really looking forward to this year's in Charleston!!!!
8. Where do you see your blog in 5 years? I don't know if Love This Life will ever take off, but I hope that I continue to inspire the readers who follow me. I have a lot of short term goals that include investing in a nice camera, taking more original photography, etc. I just want to continue having fun.

From Andrew:
1. If you had the opportunity to live in any other time period other than our own, which would it be? I loved the show American Dreams and while the 60s/70s might be cheesy, I think it's so interesting. Or the 20s, but only if I was going to Gatsby's parties.
2. How many generations back can you trace your family? Do you know where your ancestors came from? Yikes, not good at this. My mom's family is from Germany. My dad's family is from Wales... I think.
3. How does where you grow up differ from where you currently live? Ha, well I grew up in Champaign, IL where the University of Illinois is. It's a total college town and I loved it, although now that I'm in Nashville, I can't imagine living in a smaller town. There's always something going on and so many opportunities.
4. If you could have a conversation with any person who is no longer alive (famous or otherwise) who would it be and why? My Grandpa Otto. He passed away in June and now that he's gone, there's so many things I would love to ask him... not even super deep questions, just things like how to invest my money and why he loved the Green Bay Packers so much. The little things, you know?
5. Name one item you own that you know you will still have and still use in ten years. I'm looking around my house... My couch? Maybe?
6. What do you believe to be your best virtue or virtues? I don't know a stranger.
7. If you knew at eighteen years old what you know now, in a single paragraph, what advice would you give? You will do everything exactly how you should, even if it doesn't seem like it. The year after graduating college is the hardest, and no one will tell you that. But you make it through, and it makes you appreciate the years and friends after.
8. Tell your readers the one place in the world that you believe they should visit before they die and why. Chicago. It's a big city, but so clean. And go in the summer.
9. What are you most sentimental about and why? My family. Now that I'm older and we all live a flight or long drive away, I think I appreciate the time we are all together so, so much more.
10. What is the most important thing your father or a relative father-figure taught you? It's not necessarily something that I was taught, but my dad indirectly taught me to be appreciative. I had a conversation with my sister the other day about how lucky and grateful we are that our parents have given us such great lives.
11. Ohio State or Oregon? I'm watching this now. I'm going to go with Ohio State.

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I'm nominating the following bloggers, and here are my questions!

Annie Reeves // Megan Stokes, Holy City Chic // Jen McLaughlin, Comfortably Chic

1. What made you decide to begin blogging?
2. Story behind the name of your blog?
3. 9-5 job if it isn't blogging?
4. Currently binge watching on Netflix?
5. One place you would like to travel in 2015 is (and why)....
6. Favorite season and why?
7. Last meal?
8. Favorite thing about the city where you currently live?'
9. Best gift you've ever given? Received?
10. Go to outfit?
11. Biggest goal for your blog in 2015?

C.WONDER CLOSING

Happy Monday! I hope you all are making it through - it's rainy and cold here and there's nothing I'd rather be doing than laying on my couch, watching movies, and baking cookies! Sigh.

So, besides Lilly Pulitzer and Target, there was some other really big news in the retail industry last week. You've probably seen, but C.Wonder, started by Chris Burch (Tory's ex-husband) is closing all retail stores and shutting down the website. While I never really connected with C.Wonder and it's clothing options, I really, really loved it for gifts and home trinkets. The price point was perfect and the items were pretty classic. The good news is you have until the end of the week to shop online and EVERYTHING is 50% off. I put together a few things I'll be stocking up on (engagement & wedding shower gifts, anyone?!) and some other items that I want before they are gone for good!

Shop: wine stopper // monogrammed cheese board // bee happy trinket tray // layering necklace // jewelry box //  initial guest soap

AH, WEEKEND

Who is happy to see the weekend here? I'm not going to lie, the second half of this week wasn't as bad as I expected. But I am SO GLAD that Friday is here because my family gets in town today! And not just my mom and dad or my brother but EVERYONE. Mom, Dad, Jane, Peter AND David. It just makes me so happy that my favorite people are going to be in one place and experiencing Nashville together. Peter turns 21 on Saturday, so we can thank him for this excursion. I'm so, so happy and excited about it. Keep up with all the fun on instagram. I'm sure I'll be posting a lot :)

Not to be like everyone else, but here are a few things I'm loving this week. If you haven't seen these links, enjoy! If you have, well, enjoy again! Have a great weekend!

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Nicole Kidman and Jimmy Fallon // I can't get over how funny this is.

Free Chipotle Burrito // Who doesn't love that? Worth trying sofritas, if you ask me.

Madewell New Arrivals // I want so many things. UGH. Where are you warm weather?

She Reads Truth // I'm doing the Bible in 365 Days Challenge. It's pretty cool.

Kings of Leon + Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition // Nashville is killing it, per usual. I want to go.

TARGET X LILLY PULITZER

Guys. I am freaking out about Target's next designer collaboration: LILLY PULITZER! 

I have long loved and admired the Lilly brand. Unless you only dress in black (admitted, my winter wardrobe), you can't help but feel a little brighter and happier when seeing their prints. Now, I'm nowhere close to the level of my friend Whitney (her closet of Lilly is insane), but I do love a good dose of color in my life, especially after long winters. And y'all, this collaboration looks amazing. Normally I am wary of Target's designer collabs, but this actually looks worthy of my attention and the products look identical to what you would find in a Lilly store... so I pretty much want to scoop up every single item. 

The collection will have over 250 items ranging in price from $2 - $30. Affordable, fun, and bright. Can't go wrong with that.

Are you as excited as I am?! 

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A NEW YEAR

 

Happy 2015... 6 days late! I was out of town for New Years Eve and through the weekend, and Monday is, well, Monday, so today is the first day that I feel like I'm back at it after the holidays. The past two days have been a little rough waking up at 6:45, but coffee is slowly getting me through.

I am really excited for 2015. I feel like at this moment, I am the happiest and most content in my personal life as I have been in a very long time. I feel completely blessed by all the friends and relationships I have made in Nashville. My friends and I are starting a Bible study, which I am incredibly excited for. I have a great living situation, and I absolutely love, love, love this city. All in all, I am in the perfect place personally. 

I don't necessarily feel the same way about my professional life, but it's time for me to make that change in 2015. My bloggy friend Annie mentioned in a post that 2014 was the year she started blogging with intention and something about that inspired me. About 4 months ago, I posted on my Instagram that I wanted to kick blogging into high gear. I should have known better than to make that commitment right before the busiest season of my 9-5 job. But now, I feel ready. I recently got my monthly email from the Southern Blog Society and it announced that the 2015 SBS conference is in Charleston this June. It is my goal to be in a place with this blog that I am proud of. It has been awhile since I have truly challenged myself and I think making this blog something is exactly the kind of challenge I need. It's easy for me to feel overwhelmed by the vast number of bloggers, but I love the above quote. It's a great reminder, and it's going to be my motto going into 2015.

Expect a lot more from me. It's going to be awesome. Let's do this.