WEEKEND RECAP: #BEATBAMA

 

 

Is it really Monday already?! I feel like it was just Friday and I was all antsy to get to Ole Miss for the weekend. 

Ummmmm y'all. This weekend was unreal and Ole Miss was on point in every possible way. On Saturday morning we got to the Grove around 8:30. My coworker and I were lucky enough to score some VIP Gameday passes (Thanks ESPN!) so we had a behind the scenes look at everything going on. At one point we thought we were going to be on TV but then the camera guy decided to film the cheerleaders instead... can't understand why???! 

After a fun morning and Katy Perry picking OLE MISS to win, I met up with my crew and had plenty of vodka lemonade drinks. The Grove was packed and so much fun. There was a ton of excitement around the game and so naturally I began to have #FOMO that I wasn't going into the game. I tried to find scalpers at the beginning of the game but there were literally none. After about 30 minutes of feeling sorry for myself and making friends with some random people at a tent, I decided to just try and get in with my own luck and charm. AND IT WORKED. Before I knew it I was sitting with my friends and Ole Miss was winning and intercepting in Bama's end zone and fans were rushing the field and goal posts were coming down. It was so crazy and I'm so happy for Ole Miss. Katy Perry seemed to have a good time too. Now onto Texas A&M - it never stops when you're in the SEC.

LIFE LATELY

Well, I only meant for my blog hiatus to be a week... but it turned to two. The good news is I have some great posts lined up over the next few weeks - from food to fashion to home decor - and will be announcing a fun collaboration in the next couple of weeks. 

So life, recently. I have officially moved into my new apartment and although there are still boxes in my bedroom and the dining room and I haven't hung everything on the wall, it's getting there, and I love the new place. Sneak peeks to come soon!


 
 Ole Miss came to Nashville to play Vanderbilt at LP Field. Had a great weekend cheering on the Rebs and hanging out the latest and greatest of Nashville - Acme Feed & Seed.

Also made it to a few Live on the Green shows - most notably The Lone Bellow. They are unreal live. Newest fan/stalker.... sorry for the lame iPhone picture!

Attended the grand opening of Madewell at the Green Hills Mall. It was a hipster's dream come true, and I have never seen so many trendy people in one small space. Really excited that we have Madewell in Nash... it just makes sense, you know?!

This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend the Music City Food + Wine Festival, presented by Food & Wine Magazine. It was 2 days of pure food and alcohol bliss, and it reminded me yet again how lucky I am to live in Nashville. We got to try food from the best restaurants in Nashville, wine and spirits from all over the country, and watch some of the best talent in demos. My favorite was Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods) - he was the last of the day and Tim Love and Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) joined him midway through his presentation and were absolutely hysterical.

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Hope you all have a great week. Thanks for sticking around in my absence - New posts coming every day this week!

A HAPPY WEEKEND

Hello Monday, you have come way too soon once again! 

I had a great weekend and I hope you all did too! I made a very last minute decision on Friday afternoon to drive home. My sister is home before making an official move to NYC (!!!!!!!) and any excuse I have to see her is a good one. Plus my dad and brothers are hiking somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains, so it was a total girls weekend. So perfect! 

We spent Saturday morning at the Farmers Market and got delicious gourmet donuts (blueberry lemon, chocolate crumble, carrot cake, and birthday cake, YUM). My mom stocked up on fresh produce and my sister and I admired the flowers. That afternoon we met a good friend for birthday drinks and the went to see the movie Begin Again. So good y'all!!! I'm listening to the soundtrack nonstop and if you haven't seen it - make it a priority. I think I smiled through the whole thing. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are charming, and Adam Levine's voice is, well, beautiful.

On Sunday we went to church and then had lunch and got good sunshine at the pool - a typical Sunday when I'm home in the summer. It was so relaxing and fun to be with my mom and sister and now it's so rare that it's ever just us three, so that was an extra special treat! 

What did you all do this weekend? Anything new or exciting?

BROWN SUGAR COOKIES

This is a disclaimer: These are not health cookies, and you WILL eat way too many of them.

A couple weeks ago I wanted to make treats for my coworkers for Valentine's Day. I didn't have the time to make sugar cookies and individually frost each cookie, so I made a simple cookie that is in my opinion more delicious than a sugar cookie: the Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookie. The great thing about these cookies is that they are small enough that you can eat two (or in my case, four) and not feel bad about it. Then again, how can anyone feel bad about eating delicious cookies?!

These were so easy to make and honestly tasted just as good, if not better, days after baking, which is rare for homemade cookies. If you're in the mood for a little something sweet, try these. I don't think they will disappoint.

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Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks of butter - softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

Raw unrefined sugar

Mix brown sugar & butter until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add flour and salt and beat until mixed. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch rolls on parchment paper. Refrigerate until firm. Once firm, roll the dough in raw sugar (dough may need to be slightly softened for sugar to stick). I like to mix in colored sugar for holidays, but clear raw sugar works great as well. Slice into thin 1/4 inch cookies and place on sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until edges have browned. Enjoy!

TUESDAY INSPIRATION

 

Tuesday has always my least favorite day of the week. 

In my opinion, Monday will always be Monday. Wednesday is one day closer to the weekend, happy hours are planned, and on Thursday, weekend plans are starting to form. Friday is obviously the start of the weekend. 

But poor little Tuesday always gets the cold shoulder from me. Which actually is so silly, because it's another day for great things to happen! Somewhere, someone is getting a promotion, giving birth to a new little baby, getting engaged to their soulmate, or traveling to a new city or country... and that is awesome. 

These little words of inspiration are exactly what I need on a Tuesday. I don't know if it can ever be a Friday, but maybe it can get a little bit closer. :)

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A VERY HAPPY WEEKEND

Oh, Monday. Here again way too quickly. Doesn't it always feel like there should be another day to recover and rest? 

I had the happiest of weekends, and I hope you all did too! On Friday, I got last minute tickets to the Taylor Swift concert through work and oh my gosh. The concert was ah-ma-zing. I've always been a fan of T-Swift, but I was blown away by her show. It's not just a concert, it's a complete production. She sounds incredible live, and just does a fantastic job entertaining her fans. It's safe to say I have never seen so many blinking lights and young girls at a concert, but I loved it. So much screaming, it was hysterical. 

Saturday morning I drove up to Indiana with Claire and Courtney for our Brookie's wedding! The ceremony was in a gorgeous Catholic church and Brooke as well as the bridesmaids all looked stunning. The reception was held at a family friend's house under a big white tent. It was seriously so beautiful. I'm so happy for Brooke and Mark, and wish them nothing but the happiest of a life together. 

One of the best parts about the wedding was that we had a little sorority reunion! Fifteen of us made the trip celebrate the Elliott's big day, and it was just the happiest. It reminds me how lucky I am to have so many amazing, incredible, loving friends all across the country. And whether we haven't seen each other for a couple months or 2 years, nothing has changed between us. We are still the best of friends, having a great time together, dancing the night away, limbo-ing, and breaking into the hotel pool at 1 AM. Fabulous weekend, girls. Let's have another engagement ASAP so we can have this much fun again! Any takers?

Happy honeymooning, Brooke and Mark! We all love you! :)

Have a great Monday, everyone.

WEEKEND IN REVIEW: ATHENS, GA

I love when I get to spend the weekend with my family. Being spread slightly across the country (or Midwest/Southeast), we don't get to spend tons of time together, but when we do, it's oh-so special. This weekend I made it down to Athens, GA for the UGA vs. South Carolina game - a little sibling school rivalry. My dad flew in as well, which made it even more fun.We had a great day in Athens, and much to Jane's happiness and Peter's disappointment, the Dawgs came out on top. A great weekend with an even greater family - my only complaint is that the weekend wasn't long enough!

Happy Monday!

THE GOOD LIFE

Guys. Life is great. I've spent the past 10 days in pure happiness, starting with a trip to Ole Miss. Patrick and I went to Oxford for Double Decker weekend (huge art festival with outdoor concerts all day Saturday) and even though the forecast said 80% chance of rain throughout the day, it held off until 11pm, just in time for our walk home from the bars. As always, it's great to be in Oxford. Definitely have developed a special place in my heart for it! Last week brought both our birthdays - I am May 1 and he is May 2! I spent the day celebrating with co-workers at a fun lunch, then out with my best friends at Puckett's Grocery. This weekend was the long-awaited Kentucky Derby and although it rained and was miserably cold, we made the most of it, thanks to an excellent stroke of luck and getting access to the Jockey Club.

 A wonderful weekend in Oxford for Double Decker.

 Birthday flowers from my co-workers

 Puckett's Grocery for a birthday dinner - such a fun scene.

Me and my main squeeze celebrating our back-to-back birthdays.

 Best friends.

 Derby weekend!

 Our view from the Jockey Club

 Great host, even better friend :)

Hope you all are having a great start of the week!

SPRING BREAK IS MEANT FOR ADULTS

The beach has been on my mind 24/7 recently, and it's probably because I'm still in that mentality I've had since preschool that come March, I get a week off for Spring Break. Can I just say how much I would LOVE to be heading down to Key West or Seaside or the Bahamas or really anywhere warm in a few weeks?! I want to do nothing more than spend hours upon hours laying in the warm sun and feeling that nice ocean breeze. Which is why I've come to a conclusion. Spring Break should not be exclusive to those going to school and teachers, but open to everyone. Let's be honest, in college you use the break as a way to go to an fun place and pretty much drink an entire week straight, coming back to school more tired than when you left (not that it's necessarily a bad thing). However, if I got Spring Break as an adult, I would definitely be using the time to relax and recharge my batteries. It's too bad I don't have the patience to be a teacher.... then this wouldn't even be an issue :) So who's with me? Should we start a Spring Break movement?!

Madewell Bikini // J.Crew Embroidered Rope Tunic // Chance Reserved Towel // J.Crew Striped Summer Hat // Ray Ban Aviators