Thursday, June 30, 2011

Fly Away Home


I was flying back a few weeks ago from Chicago and my flight got delayed a couple of hours. Once my iPad decided it didn’t want to connect to the internet anymore I needed something to do to pass the time…because sitting there and staring at people waiting at the gate is not my idea of fun (it seems to be fun to others). Anyways, I wandered into a bookstore and purchased “Fly Away Home” by Jennifer Weiner. Jennifer Weiner also wrote “In Her Shoes” which was made into a movie a few years ago.

I began reading it and was instantly hooked. However, I didn’t have time to finish reading it until the other day. The book is about a politician’s family. The main character, Sylvie Woodruff, finds out that her husband had an affair. The book details her struggles to figure out how to deal with the affair and how she figure out who she truly is. Sylvie and her husband have two daughters, Diana and Lizzie. Of the two daughters, Diana has always been the one to have everything together. She graduated from medical school, has a nice house, husband and a child but yet something is still missing. Lizzie, who is just returning from rehab when the book begins, also realizes that a lot has been missing from her life. The affair ends up bringing the two daughters and mom closer than they have ever been and helps them to find each of their direction in life.

Overall I loved this book and would highly recommend it. If you’re heading to the beach this summer it is a great beach read!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

I'm loving...


-Margarita Ice-Cream Sandwiches. It's a Cooking Light recipe found here and I so want to make these! They are 6 pts+



-I have two three day weekends ahead of me!

-the color of my nails. I got a manicure last weekend and I love the color. It's OPI "I want to be a Lone-Star". L O V E!


-these two tops currently at Old Navy. I get a little frustrated with Old Navy though because I always see such cute things online and then can't find them in the store...sooo I might have to order these.


Happy Birthday Julianne!


Today is my little sister's 22nd birthday!!! I can't believe a year has already passed since she turned 21!



My sister is currently home for the summer and I am so glad! Ju has become quite the cook so I am looking forward to all of the yummy meals she's going to make this summer! She and I are very close, even though we have our typical sister differences. Juli was recently accepted into a master's program in Boston which starts the first week in September. I'm very excited for her but will be sad to have her so far away. However, I will be making quite a few trips to see her during her time in grad school!



Tonight we will be going to happy hour and then out to dinner!

Happy Happy Birthday Julianne! I looove you!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

This week.

I didn't write about my goals for the week yesterday aaaand I don't plan on sharing how I did last week, either. (You know what that means). I did about 16 miles but didn't weigh in yesterday. I know that's "bad" but I'm going to work extra hard and weigh in next Monday.

Goals for this week-

Workout-20 miles
Weight-2 lbs

Monday, June 27, 2011

Happy Birthday Cobes!



Happy Birthday Cobes! Today is the birthday of one of my closest friends, Katie! I've mentioned her before in my post about an amazing friend (found here).

Cobes and I met when we were in middle school. We played on the same soccer team but became better friends at the Country Club our parents belonged to. I call her Cobes and she calls me Knight. We played Junior Golf every Thursday together in the summer and got the names from our golf bags. My bag was named "Knight" and her's was named "Cobra". We started calling each other "Cobes" and "Knight" and it stuck! I don't get to see Cobes as much as I would like since she lives in Minnesota and I'm in SC. However, I will be seeing her a month from today for Cabin Weekend, Summer Edition!


Last year I got to spen Cobe's birthday with her at CUSA. Its a 5 day country music festival close to our hometown. It was a blast!



Cobes is such an amazing friend and person. I am so thankful to have her in my life. We have been there for each other through the ups and downs. She was also such a great friend throughout the past few months.

She truly is one of those people that makes you laugh a laugh a little harder, smile a little brighter and live a little longer :)









Happy Birthday, Cobes! May your birthday be as amazing as you are! Wish I was there but I will see you soon! XOXO!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday!

HELLO Friday!!! I am so happy that you are here. I love Fridays! I love that they mean the weekend is here, that the work week is almost done AND that I can wear JEANS! Casual Friday is the best!

I don't have too much planned for this weekend. I'm meeting this girl out for some much needed happy hour and then we are going to go downtown!



Saturday I plan on doing a little shopping and soaking up some sun! I also want to finish organizing my room! Pics to come of the new paint job! Sunday will be the usual Sunday Funday :)

Welcome weekend!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Thursday Thoughts...

-I’m really glad that it’s Thursday. This week has gone by sloooow and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

-I’ve been craving a milkshake this week. Oh and pretty much anything else that’s bad for me. I love food and eating healthy can be a struggle for me. I just have to remind myself that I feel like crap after I eat bad.

-I didn't work out yesterday (it was storming by the time I got home) and I missed it. Say, what?!?!? Yes, I missed it!

-I’m in the process of buying a cross-body purse. I get tired of carrying a purse on my arm all of the time…but I haven’t found one yet that I love.

-I would like to go on a tropical vacation…or just to the beach again…really anywhere would be fine.

-Two weeks from today I head to Chicago for DMB Caravan…can.not.wait!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

I'm loving...


-the new feathers that I put in my hair...yes I jumped on the band wagon. I got two and I love them. I may add more, but we'll see. I was very skeptical of the trend at first but they have grown on me!

-"Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean. Apparently the song has been out for a few weeks but I missed that memo.

-Emma Graham Designs. I've wanted to get a dress or a skirt for a while and plan on going to the local boutique soon to finally do so. The stuff is adorable! Below are my two favorites!



Tuesday, June 21, 2011

30 Years Ago Today!



30 years ago today my parents got married! My parents met at Miller Brewing, my mom was a taste tester and to be honest I can’t remember what my dad did...fail. I remember what my mom did because I’ve always thought it would be so cool to taste test beer for a living! Don’t you agree?!?! My mom eventually quit working because my parents moved around a lot for my dad’s job and they had my sister and I . I’m glad that my mom was able to not work while we were growing up because she got to volunteer at our schools and be home with us in the summer!



Over the past 30 years my parents have lived in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Connecticut and Wisconsin! Crazy! When my dad and I were in Augusta for the Masters I got to see their very first house! They have come a loooong way since that first house!

My parents will unfortunately not be able to celebrate their anniversary tonight as my dad is headed to Texas this afternoon for work. For their anniversary my mom got my dad this awesome book on Jeeps around the world (he loves jeeps)…he about foamed at the mouth when he saw it in the Orvis store at the beach a few weeks ago…however, he was too cheap to buy it! Shocker! As for my mom’s gift it is time for her to have a new car (as my dad says)! She has been trying to decide on what she wants for months and can’t!



I look up to my parents a lot and I only hope to celebrate a 30 year wedding anniversary with someone, someday. It is quite the accomplishment to be married for 30 years and to still be going strong! I admire how my parents have worked through everything that life has thrown at them and made it out even stronger. Through countless moves, raising children, changing jobs, losing parents and so on my parents have been there for each other. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my amazing, supportive, and loving father. I would not be who I am or where I'm at in life with out you (and mom too!).



I haven't talked much about my dad in this blog, except for how much he means to me. My dad is amazing though. He is rarely home and if he is home it's usually from Thursday at 11 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m. His office is in Texas and he oversees 9 manufacturing plants around the world. My dad gets to visit awesome places and stay in super cool hotels. While to myself and the onlooker it sounds appealing, it gets old and tiresome...and we miss having him around. I know that he works so hard so that my sister, mom, and I can have the life that we do and for that I am forever grateful. I hope to find someone like my dad to spend my life with (I mean that in the most non creepy way ever).

Dad letting loose. He loves a good cigar and is so busy that he's hilarious when he does let loose!


I gave my dad his father's day present back in March when I surprised him with tickets to the Masters. I can't even tell you how great of a day it was. It was definitely one of the best days I've shared with my dad. We walked around the whole course, ate, drank and watched golf! I always find it difficult to buy my dad things as he always says, in typical dad fashion, "I don't need anything." Seeing my dad relax and enjoy himself at the Masters was awesome. He had a smile on his face the entire time and is already talking about spending the money to go next year...this is a man that hates spending money.






Thank you dad for...

-loving me unconditionally
-being my biggest fan (next to mom)
-working so hard and instilling a strong work ethic in me
-making me laugh
-always taking care of the million things I seem to break (car, cell phone, laptops...and the list goes on!)
-letting me use your hotel and airline travel points...I manage them quite well, don't you think ;)
-your "Billisms"...my favorite..."Be a saver, not a spender."
-for being you. You are the best dad!





Happy Father's Day Daddy. I love, love, love you!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown



Tonight is the Lee Brice, Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson concert! I've been looking forward to this for quite some time and I'm excited that it is finally here! Not gonna lie I'm the most excited about seeing Lee Brice.

Lee Brice went to Clemson, which is exciting! I have to support a fellow Tiger! I hope he goes far and is very successful in his career! If you aren't familiar with him, check out his single "Love Like Crazy".

Happy Friday!!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving...

-that the humidity is not as bad...at least it doesn't seem to be as bad. Therefore, my hair actually looks like I did it in the morning rather than rolling out of bed and coming to work (and by doing my hair I mean blow drying it...) I have been able to go sans ponytail Monday and Tuesday! HALLELUJAH.

-the new Crystal Light flavors. I have yet to try them but I've read reviews and they're good! They are only in stores for a limited time, so I need to find them asap. This could be the beginning of an awesome low-cal, low-point mixed drink...I'm a happy girl :)



-this quote. It's from a Pottery Barn frame my mom got me a few years back (love the Pottery Barn quote frames) when she wanted me to wake up and smell the coffee ;). It really is so true.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

It's Official.


Plane tickets, check. Concert tickets, check. Hotel booked, check. It's official, Mer and I are going to DMB Caravan in Chicago!!!

When Mer and I heard that DMB would not be touring this summer for the first time in so many years (I think 20), we were bummed. I think I was a little more bummed than she because she remembers the concert from last summer, and I don't...fail. Anyways, when we heard that there would be four caravan tours this summer we decided that we had to go to one. I've always wanted to go to the Gorge, but I will probably be in Boston that weekend with my family moving my sister in and the lineup isn't that great...at least right now.

The lineup in Chicago is awesome though! I'm so excited that DMB will play each night and Dave and Tim are doing an acoustic set! I also get to see Amos Lee again, yay!



We are staying in downtown and I will get to see some other friends while we are there! I am so excited and counting down the days!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

My Weekend.

Its been a great weekend, but once again it went by way too fast!

Friday I went with my sister and some of her friends to Happy Hour and then we went to Brew in the Zoo. It was a beer festival being held at the local zoo! I have become quite the fan of beer festivals...even though my body is not. We walked around for a couple of hours and sampled a bunch of different beer!

This is the glass that we got!


My sister and I with our glasses!



Our glasses filled with Son of a Peach...the best beer!


Beth and I, love this girl!



After Brew in the Zoo we went downtown!



Yesterday I spent the day at the pool with Mer and then had a relaxing evening in with my parents, Mer and my sister! We are almost done painting my room so pics to come of it soon :)

I'm off to enjoy the last few hours of the weekend! It's Sunday Funday at our house!

Friday, June 10, 2011

"Complicated"

Do you have a song or songs that always remind you of a certain time in your life? I feel like I have quite a few and when “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne came on the radio this morning it reminded me of the summer in high school between Sophomore and Junior year. This was one of my favorite.summers.thus far. I had just gotten my driver’s license and thought I was “so cool”. I mean didn’t we all? We no longer had to rely on our parents to cart us around town and we could blare music without being told to turn it down. “Complicated” had just been released so the local radio station over course over played it. As I was reflecting and reminiscing it also reminded me of the “Walk to Remember” soundtrack which I listened to so much that summer that I wore my copy out. By the way, that is an awesome soundtrack and I highly recommend it 

That summer was my last “full summer” in Appleton before my family moved which is another reason why I think it was a favorite of mine. I didn’t realize at the time how great a summer with zero obligations was. I would get up, hang out, eat, go to the pool, hang out with friends and then repeat…every.single.day..ahh the good life. I can’t believe that it has been NINE years since that summer…where does the time go?!?!

I’m looking forward to making this summer a “top summer”. I have lots of trips and things planned on the weekend. I’m also looking forward to seeing what songs will take me back to this summer, someday!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

IT IS HOT!

Today's blog post is completely random because I just need to talk about the weather. Goodness gracious IT IS HOT!!! I mean I know I live in SC but 98+ every day, whew, I did not sign up for this in EARLY June!!! I can't even imagine how people in the Midwest feel...they are NOT used to these extreme temps this early on either. I walked from my car to the door at work (maybe 25 ft) and was sweating...ew! It doesn't really "cool off" as the day goes on either. One nice thing about the midwest is that it can be hot during the day but its cooler at night..I love that! Wish we had that here!

With these temps and humidity comes horrible, horrible hair. My hair is a hot mess...and its gotten to the point that I end up putting it in a pony tail every.single.day by early afternoon. Today I'm trying to fight putting it up since I'm going out later but not sure I'll make it. Its not lookin' pretty.

Also-I have black leather seats...not sure why I thought that would be a good idea living in SC but I was 20 when I got my car sooo I'll blame it on being "young and stupid"...ha. I'm pretty sure I've burnt myself one too many times the past few weeks. I will be getting a thing to put in my windows asap...and a new car :) (but not because of the seats).

Here's to hoping for cooler temperatures (I would take mid 80's) :) and the cold beer(s) that I will be consuming later since I have saved all my flex points this week!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving...


-the fact that I am in town for the whole weekend! It's been 2 weeks since that has happened!

-OPI's summer collection of nail polish. I am on a mission right now to find this color. It's called "I Lilly Love You".



-my room is getting painted a new color! I can't wait to share the end result!

-Pinterest. I know I have mentioned this before but I really really love that site. Its become such an obsession. I look forward to looking at it at lunch or after work...yes I know...that's a problem. Check out my boards on there-pinterest.com/lw5786/

-that my sister is home! She passed her Spanish class and is done with undergrad! So proud of her! I am also loving the delicious meals that she has made so far :)

Sunday, June 5, 2011

My Weekend.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I am definitely enjoying mine but I wish it would slow down a little bit!

Friday I flew back from Chicago! I was there for a two day training for work. I got in late Friday night and was exhausted. I did get to see some of my good friends from high school and had a blast with them!

Yesterday I spent the day by the pool soaking up some sun! I then went to dinner with two friends and out!

Today I will be cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and enjoying Sunday Funday!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving...

-that I get to see good friends tonight in Chicago!

-all of the dresses on this website Kirribilla. Especially this one.


-that I got to celebrate Merritt's birthday with her yesterday!

-a new month is here! I got past the May 28th date, thanks to amazing people and their support.

-this little gift set. The scents are amazing and fun for summer!


-life. Each day is a new day and I'm trying to live them to the fullest.