I have had absolutely no concept of time or days this week, but I'm writing this as I'm waiting in the airport to head back to Nashville with my brother and one of our friends to kick off CMA Fest week! I was in CT for a long weekend for my friend's wedding and had the best time! I got to catch up with people I don't get to see often and tore up the dance floor. Plus, I was able to get in some beach time and lots of playing with my niece and nephew. Which enters this shirt - the shirt that transformed me into a pirate ninja fighting off bad guys yesterday ;)
It's been called the pirate shirt, the puffy shirt and the Caribbean shirt. Personally, I just think it's cute. It's perfect for this time of year because its super light weight and flowy so it works while it's still hot out but not dead of the summer hot. I dressed it up a little here, but I've also worn it with cut offs and flip flops to make it more casual.
I can't even type this post out without laughing at what I'm about to share. '
So here's my thought process. I love watching YouTube videos. It's actually been my main source of TV since I canceled cable. So, I was inspired and decided to make a favorites video for May as a little Friday Five special edition.
BE EASY ON ME GUYS. This is my first video I've ever filmed like this and the first video I've edited literally since senior year of high school (shout out TV production class coming in hot). I definitely want to play around with different editing features and programs in the future but I figured I should start out simple :) If anyone has any suggestions for editing programs or anything like that, definitely let me know! I don't take myself very seriously and had so much fun filming this and I hope you can tell!
Some things I learned after filming this video:
-My dance moves are those of an 80 year old doing Thriller
-I may have scoliosis - are my shoulders actually that crooked?!
-Speaking of my shoulders, I was reminded of my linebacker shoulders
-I never knew how much I unintentionally rolled my eyes - sorry everyone!
On another note, I wanted to include some favorite moments of the month too because I seriously had so much fun in May!
Every year in Nashville there is a Steeplechase and everyone gets dressed to the nines in big hats and spend the day tailgating. If this event wasn't made for me, I'm not sure what was. A big hat, a Lauren James dress and tailgating. I'M IN. I laso had to share this pic of the back of my dress too because it's just too good not to.
Weekend with my mom
My mom came down in the beginning of May to help me get my life together and decorate my new apartment. We had a great weekend and I am so in love with how my place turned out!! I do want to share the whole thing soon, so here's just a little sneak peak.
New friends
I'm going to be honest, making friends as an adult in real life is hard. Obviously I moved to Tennessee with one of my best friends and luckily I found a couple of good friends shortly after moving here and I am so thankful for that, but I missed having different groups of people to hang out with. Enter Bumble BFF. Guys. If you're in a new location or are just looking to expand your friend group, use this. It's seriously the best. Kinda awkward at first but it's nice to know everyone is in the same boat and in my case, it was also mostly other girls who had moved to Nashville recently and wanted to meet people! Genius. I wish I thought of this app.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am probably flying home to CT as you are reading this to celebrate one of my friend's wedding! I'm so excited to spend a long weekend home and hopefully get to the beach.
I may or may not have a minor obsession with the Bachelor franchise. I've only been watching for a year since Kaitlyn's season and have been hooked ever since. I thought it would be fun to do a little Bachelorette recap/share my thoughts every week since it probably already consumes 65% of my daily conversations anyway.
Am I in a Bachelorette bracket? Yes. Yes, I am. Half the fun of this show is that it is so produced and edited but it's still so fun to watch. My picks are based on who I think will win and how I think the show will play out. Jordan was the first out the car - winner winner chicken dinner. You can't bring on a weirdo erectile dysfunction guy and not keep him around for a couple weeks (also, please note and appreciate the irony in revealing he is the only one on the show with children).
First things first: who else misses looking at Ben? Everyone? Me too.
So, I really liked JoJo last season. I liked her more than Lauren even though it was clear Lauren was going to win. And to be honest, I like Lauren even less since following her on social media which is unfortunate. However, I feel like The Bachelorette producers totally jipped JoJo with these guys! I don't really love any of them and don't think any of them are overly attractive. Which, I know, doesn't mean they aren't good guys or anything but hello, if I'm watching you every week for 2 hours I would prefer a bunch of cute guys! Chris Harrison, are you reading this?!
Obviously Chad is a giant (excuse my language, but there's no better word) douchebag. Let's take a moment and acknowledge the fact that in his Bachelor bio he says he would like to have lunch with himself, admires himself the most and his greatest achievement is being good looking. The producers live for guys like him! However, he makes some valid points and I kind of had to agree with him when he was making fun of a bunch of half naked grown men writing a song, even if it did only consist of her name, about a girl they had known for 24 hours. I hear you, Chad. He reminds me of JJ from Kaitlyn's season. Yeah he's obnoxious but it's clear he's playing a part and I end up thinking they are hysterical. Very Scott Disick.
Also, I couldn't help but laugh at the guys being so mad/surprised at Grant winning a firefighter competition when he is a firefighter. GUYS. Get a grip. Also, Grant, probably should have not struggled so much on that one.
Other than that, I thought it was a pretty meh episode. I can never keep track of everyone the first few weeks so I have a pretty short attention span while watching.
I'm baaaaack! I've missed blogging so much and have recruited my friend who lives in my building to be my personal photographer so here's hoping I can stick to it :)
I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day Weekend! I spent it having too much fun at the pool all the weekend and it was perfect.
To catch all of my loyal readers up (hi, mom!), I spent the first couple of months of the year planning my move to a new apartment closer to downtown Nashville. I am obsessed with how my apartment turned out, so I think I will do a little apartment reveal/tour in a couple of weeks! I'm pretty sure I'll be okay if I don't have to do any home decor shopping any time soon, especially for furniture, but it was all so worth it!
On to the romper. I'm loving floral patterned things and it's no secret I love a good romper so this purchase was a no brainer. I picked it up at a local boutique close to my new apartment and I've gotten so many compliments on it when I've worn it. I think my favorite part might actually be the ruffles on the sleeves and bottom. It's super light and flowy which is perfect for summer, especially summer in the south. It is a little on the short side so I wouldn't recommend dropping it low on any dance floors. Did I try? Maybe.
Outfit Details: Romper: similar here, here and here (on sale!! $38) | Wedges (old): Express, similar | Bag: T.J. Maxx, similar | Watch: Kate Spade
Thanks for reading! I've got some good stuff coming later this week that you don't want to miss, so be sure to check back!! Really, you'll want to see this...
Hi guys! Long time no talk, oops! How it is already December 11th is beyond me. Wasn't it just Halloween? Not only is it already almost half way through December, it will be 70 degrees in Nashville this weekend! How late is too late to lay out by the pool?
I didn't want to make it through the holiday season without my favorite post; putting together a gift guide full of gifts that all give back in some way. I love being able to not only buy someone a gift that they will love, but knowing that you are making a small difference while doing it. After all, that's what the holiday season is all about, right?!
1. S'well Bottle. Not only does S'well partner with UNICEF to provide clean drinking water to children around the world, but for every purchase of their wood collection bottles, a tree is planted. And I can testify, I have a S'well bottle, and I love it. It is so worth it! Shop Now.
2. Sevenly. This was a new company to me this year and it is so awesome. Every week, they highlight a new cause and have the cutest apparel to go along with it. For every item sold that week, the cause gets $7 or 7% of the proceeds donated. How awesome is that?! They are doing a 7 Days of Christmas right now (we're on day 4!), so be sure to check it out! Shop Now.
3. The Shop Forward. I've talked about #PimpinJoy apparel on the blog before, and The Shop Forward is the online boutique where you can get all of your #PimpinJoy and other apparel in one place! They are constantly launching new products and campaigns benefiting various charities, such as St. Jude and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Shop Now.
4. Baking for Good. What better way to celebrate the holidays than with baked goods?! Baking for Good donates 15% of the proceeds to the organization or charity you choose, and they have so many to choose from! These are the perfect gifts to bring as hostess gifts for your holiday parties, or to just indulge in for yourself (diet starts Jan 1, right??). Shop Now.
5. Raven + Lilly. This store makes beautiful clothing and accessories by employing impoverished women to improve their lives. They also donate back to the communities where the women are employed from in order to provide healthcare and education. Also, if you're a Pretty Little Liars fan, Shay Mitchell loves Raven + Lilly! I think their bags and home collection are my favorites! Shop Now.
You can check out last year's round up here for even more ideas! Also, you can shop through Amazon Smile where they donate .5% of proceeds on applicable items to the charity of your choice. As always, I encourage everyone to donate to their local Toys for Tots or toy drive this holiday season as well. Spread the kindness!
I hope you guys got some inspiration for some thoughtful gifts this holiday season, and if nothing else, to at least remember to be kind. I hope you all have a great weekend!
I am visiting one of my best friends and college roommates this weekend and cannot be more excited! That being said, this week got away from me (you know, with work, wine....) and didn't plan out a Friday Five. I actually had every intention of writing it while I waited for my flight yesterday. Turns out that's hard to accomplish when you're running through the airport with your shoes in your hand and your name being paged, sweat dripping down your face and security yelling step by step directions on where to go so you don't miss your flight. But, those are just details, really...
However, I will leave you with the only thing you need to watch/listen to this week below. And if you kind of wish the cameras never moved off of Justin Timberlake, I won't judge you.
Happy almost Halloween! It may just be me and my dislike of pumpkin flavored things, but Halloween is just not my holiday. A valid excuse to buy candy, finish the bag, and buy more for trick or treaters? Absolutely. Otherwise, let's get on to Thanksgiving.
This week seemed to be the longest in all of history and I have no idea why, but I'd appreciate next week to pick up the pace a little! I have a half marathon tomorrow which I'm oddly so excited for. Training for it has been so fun for me this time around (and way less blisters and no missing toenails - win!) and I'm hoping to finish with a new PR.
BFFs.This article made me smile. I can definitely relate after moving a plane ride away from home.
Devon Baer Tunic. I think I originally saw this tunic from Sydney at Summer Wind, and now I'm getting retargeted by Facebook ads and it's like Facebook is begging me to purchase it! I am obsessed. Now if only the price would drop...
In the News. This weekly installment of "Sh*t You Should Know" on Velvet's Edge has me laughing out loud every week. One of the contributors, Lori, posts it every Wednesday and I look forward to it every time! Lori, I don't know who you are, but I think we would should be best friends.
I'm pretty positive Tim McGraw hand crafted this song with me personally in mind, but I could be wrong. I can't wait for his album! And this song is pretty fitting for my trip to the Best Coast next week! :)
Also, I will be listening to this playlist pretty exclusively tomorrow morning for about 2 hours (hopefully under!) during my race.
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