Hair. Cut.

Exactly one week from today, I'll be getting my hair cut for the first time in six months. The last haircut I had was the day after I turned 30 years old, so naturally, I asked my stylist (who I have never used before, mind you) to chop it all off AND cut some fun bangs to usher me into my 30s in style. Bear in mind I had put in months and months of taking Biotin in an effort to grow said hair out for the wedding. After turning around in my chair and looking at my reflection, I then cried the entire way home and almost wrecked twice from checking it out in the rearview mirror in horror and disbelief of what I had just done. True story.

As luck would have it, we had a friend's wedding to go to that weekend, and since I had already decided I hated my new 'do, I quadruple hated it when trying to style it myself. The bangs were WAY too short, as in a full inch above my eyebrow (no lie), and I had to do something drastic. So I decided I'd go with a black bobby pin in hopes of pulling them back and making them blend. After several hours on the dance floor, it looked like this atrociousness.


Eeewwww. I tried to warn you it was awful.

So this time, I'm trying out a new salon (anyone local tried Element?) a new style, and possibly even a little color. I vascillate between wanting long, wavy locks with highlights (a la Audrina):





To a richer brown with sideswept bangs (a la Megan):



To keeping it short with a hip little bob like Heidi (though I won't be going blonde, don't worry):


Ugh, I hate being so indecisive sometimes. Care to cast your vote and help a sister out so I can avoid something like the birthday haircut again?

Oh my, Miranda!

It is no secret that I think Miranda Lambert and I would be BFF's. She's fun, she's fearless, she's a wee bit wild, and...she's a fellow southern gal. And I may or may not have even told her fiance, Blake Shelton, how awesome she was when I ran into him (aka stalked him when he was walking out of the bathroom and made my husband take a picture with my iPhone - see evidence below) at a local watering hole in Nashville a few months ago.


But that's neither here nor there. I just wanted an excuse to show that picture. :)

So of course I love, love, loved seeing pics from their gorgeous engagement party at Front Porch Farms (right down the road!), shot by the fabulous Kristyn Hogan and featured on Southern Weddings this morning. I especially loved hearing the recap from her publicisit who happens to own Front Porch Farms, for all the special touches they included (like karaoke!). Swoon. Fest.



And those fabulous flowers? Those would be done by my girl Caprice of Enchanted Florist, who just so happened to design my own wedding flowers. Only she could make antlers look so good. See, I knew Miranda and I had much in common.

Congrats to the cutest couple in country music!

Oh and P to the S: I'm pretty sure Miranda is rocking the Frye books in these pics that I've been salivating over for a good year now. I would hate her for that if I didn't love her so much. And hey, best friends swap shoes every now and then. Miranda, do you happen to wear a size 7?

Ray and Gray!

Hooray - It's Monday! Just trying out some reverse pschology so I can pretend Mondays are just as good as Fridays. And so I don't have to spend the next five days with a mental countdown until the weekend. The power of positive thinking, right?

As much as I love "on the go" weekends, the occasional "do nothing" weekend can also be quite nice. I'm learning that of all the things I love about being married, having someone to do nothing with is one of the greatest perks there is. My weekend consisted of a little pool time with friends to catch the last lazy days of summer, a little shopping, and lots and lots of couch time with Mr. T watching my new HBO obsession:

Maybe it's the ad person deep inside me (my first job out of college was a media buyer at an advertising agency), or maybe it's just the sheer fascination with life in the 60's, but I am officially a "maddict." I just wish Don Draper wasn't quite so good looking so I could hate him a little more. Seriously, Don, how can you cheat on Betty? She's beautiful, she has dinner on the table every night when you get home, AND she doesn't ask questions when you're being shady. You better start acting right in Season 2.

So we capped off the weekend with quite possibly the concert of the summer...Ray and Gray!

And let me just say, my expectations were sky-high. Because these two are easily in my Top Five Musicians Of All Time, and I had been counting down the days until they graced Nashville (though I wish they would have kept the concert at the Ryman instead of Bridgetsone Arena). Even with our awesome 3rd row seats...

And let me assure you, Ray did not disappoint. Though he MAY have spoken a total of 10 words between songs. But his voice is so soulful and so amazing it almost hurts. When he started singing it truly almost took my breath away. And "You Are The Best Thing" will now be one of the songs on our wedding video, I'm pretty sure. Yep, definitely buying his new album ASAP.

But David? Oh, David. Gone are the days of "This Year's Love," "Shine," and "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye." Which we can all agree are pure musical excellence. Now his songs are European versions of "Free Bird" -10 minutes long and a tad bit repetitive. I like the old stuff better. The ones that remind me of being in my mid-twenties and thinking he was singing every single one for me.

Before I forget, let me insert a quick plug for one of my most favorite "under the radar" restaurants downtown, and a perfect place to grab a cocktail before a concert. Merchants!

As much as I love a good honky tonk, I so love the throwback style of this place. Our bartender wore suspenders and a bow tie, and introduced me to a perfectly-concocted drink called the "South Side" that he insisted I try and was absolutely delish. Local gals, be sure and try it the next time you're on Broadway!

Love for Eat Pray Love

Let me just say upfront that I read this book and could barely put it down, I was so in love with the way it was written. Not only did it paint the most beautiful scenes of lands I could only hope I'll get to one day - Italy, India, and Indonesia - but I could actually taste every carbohydrate-laden bite that was devoured, I could relate to every anxiety-ridden "why I can't find serenity" meditation, and I could certainly empathize with that little flutter that happens when you meet Mr. Right at Very Wrong Time. (Need I remind you I only lived in Nashville three months before I met my man? I was looking for the best happy hour in town, not my future husband!)

But life has a way of happening with or without your carefully made plans, doesn't it? It seems like everytime I try to plot mine out the Big Guy just has a fit of hysterics and throws me several curveballs to remind me He is in charge. And often times, the roads less traveled really do end up with the best sun-on-your-face and wind-in-your-hair rides. And that is what this whole beloved book is about. So you shut your mouth if you didn't like it, because I absolutely loved it. And you have to agree with me on my blog. :)

That said, I've pretty much resigned myself to knowing the movie cannot, may not, will not, live up to the book's expectations. BUT...I can close my eyes and imagine every single scene of that book and what appears in my mind's eye is actually pretty dang close to what I saw in the trailer. And in case you've been living under a rock (or didn't see it promoted during every commercial break of the Bachelorette) then pop yourself some popcorn and sit back and enjoy this two-minute slice of heaven.





So I'm headed to see it on Thursday night with some girlfriends and I am oh-so-ready. Because like Miss Julia says herself, "I'm ready to marvel at something." And even if it doesn't come close to the book, at least Javier Bardem, her right guy at the wrong time, is total Spanish eyecandy...



Penelope Cruz, you are one lucky senorita.

So in conclusion...(English major, party of one - I still think in thesis statements, supporting paragraphs and nice little conclusions that tie everything up in a bow) even if you were one of the lucky ducks that went out and saw it this past weekend and for some reason hated it and thought it deserved the 38% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes tomato-meter (for the record, I hardly ever agree with their reviews), then please tell me it changed your life anyway. Because I have very high hopes for this one.

Ciao, bellas!

Why My Husband Rocks: Part II

Because I found this when I woke up this morning...

And yes, it is now on display on bulletin board in my office. That boy sure knows how to make me smile. :)

Happy Weekend!

DC Deliciousness!

Well hello dear friends (and a special hi to you new followers)! I'm back from a whirlwind of travels last week and thinking it's high time for a recap. Let me first say that my little to trip to the Bay Area was lovely, and I might add, a whopping 57 degrees when I stepped off the plane. Coming from what felt like the center of the sun, it felt pretty terrific to button up my jacket and walk the streets of San Fran without having to change my clothes from being sweat-drenched. There is just no need for that nastiness. (I seriously can't remember the last time I wore my hair down to work - it's all updos for me, thanks.) I mean, I love the summer and all, but even I am growing weary of seeing these 110 heat indexes. That is just silly. I think 9 times out of 10 when I walk up the stairs to change after a long day's work, I yell out to no one in particular "it's HOT in this trailer!"

Anyway...so after my mid-week trip to the West Coast for work, I headed to DC on Friday for a little thing I like to call a girls trip. And let me take this opportunity to say that no matter how much you ladies love your husbands/boyfriends/significant others, it's still nice to just be girly and talk about the Bachelorette and get away for a bit, because I assure you absence made my heart grow much fonder. I nearly jumped into Mr. T's arms when he picked me up at the airport.

The girls trip used to be a tradition with a few of my girlfriends from college and we recently realized we had been slacking the past couple of years, so four of us planned a little weekend trip/R&R/culinary tour/shopping extravaganza to our nation's capital (well three of us, since one happens to live there and did an impeccable job of hosting us). As the following pictures will prove, I had a BALL. And the weather even cooperated, with highs only reaching 90 - a welcome respite from the steamroom we call Nashville. Ah, one last little summer trip was just what I needed...

If you go to DC, you MUST go to Founding Farmers. We did an early lunch there on Saturday and it was the perfect way to kick off the culinary feast of a weekend. They're big on the farm-to-table concept, and even make their juices, pastas, etc. in house.

From l to r: Emily (high school friend), Stacy (DC gal and college BF) Whitney (college/sorority friend - thanks, Chi O!), and me! You may remember these gals from the bachelorette party pics - they made the trip to NOLA with me last September too!

Whitney also happens to have a bun in the oven, so we all decided to give her a prenatal massage as a little present. Here she is reading our card (and starting to tear up, that sweet precious).

A toast! Mine is in front - a freshly squeezed mint limeade - yum!

Behold the mother of all plates. That's right - fried chicken and waffles, sauteed spinach, and homemade mac and cheese, in all its southern glory. Don't judge. I was on vacation. :)

Georgetown Cupcake, made famous on TV! The line was crazy long and there was zero shade - I'm sure they're yummy, but can a cupcake really be THAT worth it?

Dinner at Cava - so buenissimo. It was Greek style tapas and I pretty much fell in love with the place. Our Greek waiter who took the picture wasn't too shabby either. :)

Em and Lil - who says high school friendships can't last? Sr. 98!

Stace and Whitney - nice jewel tone color coordination, ladies.

Whit with her beautiful pregnant glow, and me looking like a not-so-hot mess.

After dinner drinks at Madam's Organ at Adam's Morgan!

Just another boring cab ride. I believe this was when Stacy introduced us to my new favorite game where everyone picks a vegetable they're going to be. Then, you have to say with your lips covering your teeth, "Rutabega calling radish." It's nearly impossible to do without laughing. In fact, I'm lauging right now just thinking about her demonstration. Guess you had to be there...

This trip was wonderful for so many reasons, but I think the fact that we're all approaching 30 (I led the charge by going first back in March and promised them it wasn't so bad, in fact I've kind of loved it) coupled with the fact that heck, Whitney is carrying a baby, led us to realize that sometimes the best trips aren't where you stay out the latest and act like wild buffoons anymore (not that we ever did, Mom, if you're reading this). In fact, getting back to Stacy's condo by midnight, changing into our pjs, and watching Top Chef on the DVR turned out to be just as lovely. And not feeling like you got hit by a truck the next morning is quite a fabulous feeling...

Now let's bring on fall and some FOOTBALL!

From Coast to Coast...

What a weekend! Mr. T and I had a little impromptu date night on Friday with a very sub-par sushi dinner (boo) made up with a very rich and delish slice of cheesecake in honor of National Cheesecake Day. Don't you love when you have a great excuse for an indulgence? Presenting the newest guy on the Cheesecake Factory block - Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake. OMG. And for the record, we split this. So it wasn't THAT bad, right? Right?

On Saturday, we continued the not-so-healthy streak with a full breakfast at our friend's house to "carb up" before the Brewer's Festival, where I am happy to report I have discovered my new favorite brew. Presenting Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. It is heavenly on a hot summer day.

Speaking of hot, here we are in the first week of August with near 100 degree temps for the next five days. Luckily, I will not be here to enjoy said temps, since I'm basically going from coast to coast over the next six days. I'll be heading to San Francisco for a work event on Wednesday, back on Thursday, and then to Washington DC on Friday for a little thing I like to call a GIRLS TRIP! Can you say jet lag? But oh so worth it.

As you can see, I'm pretty much following Hwy 50 clear across the ole U.S. of A. The only negative to all this traveling is that I won't have more time on the West Coast. I so love San Fran, and would love to rent a bicycle for a little jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge. Am I an avid bike rider? No. Would being suspended over water with cars rushing by scare me? Probably. But it still seems like it would be a good thing to put on my Bucket List.

I'm over-the-moon excited for our girls weekend in Washington D.C. Stacy, my best friend since our college days at Samford, lives there and has mapped out quite a weekend for us including lots of fun restaurants, watering holes, boutiques, and even a place for an afternoon pedicure. I absolutely can't wait to catch up with her and two of our other friends (one from high school, and one from college, who are now best friends themselves!) and just enjoy a little girl time.

With Stacy, my beautiful friend and maid of honor, on my wedding day!

As for tonight, I'm literally counting down the hours until Ali picks her bachelor - oh, and I have officially switched over to Team Chris - and enjoy a little shrimp and scallop dinner with my husband to celebrate seven months of married bliss TODAY! Funny how we got married on the coldest day in Nashville and will be celebrating today on one of the hottest! Seriously though, who wouldn't want to come home to this handsome man every day? Hubba hubba.

Happy anniversary, honey! I'll never stop thanking the Big Guy for bringing you to me. :)