This goes out to all my [media] ladies

Back in my 10 Things...I'm Thankful For post I mentioned how blessed I am to have the job I do. From Day 1, my dad had encouraged me with the words "It's gonna be okay, and it's gonna be better." That phrase has since become my life mantra. I didn't have the time or words last time to talk about just how amazing the media team at Whitehardt is, but now I do. 

Last Thursday was the Whiteoudt Christmas Party, I had the pre-party fun of getting ready with the other media auditor Maggie who I have come to absolutely love! Then it was off to party town. This was my second year of office Christmas parties but my first year of an office Christmas party that felt more like family than co-workers. I have never laughed so hard while playing a card game with the CEO of my agency playing along right beside me. I have never laughed so hard watching the entire agency steal back and forth and back and forth a plush blanket from Target during Dirty Santa. And never have I ever learned so much about the people I work with during a crack up game of Never Have I Ever. This is what I had always wanted; a job I love with people who cheer you on. 

I now have this picture of the media girls on my fridge right next to the pictures of me and mom, Emily's wedding, Sara's wedding, and our Pittsburgh trip. Because in three short months these girls have become more than just "my buyers" they've become my friends.
That 'ole phrase "Everything happens for a reason"? Yeah, I'm living proof.

"Don’t you see?

You can try to fight it

But it’s meant to be.

Don’t believe

Anything they tell you

Right here

I swear

This is where you’re meant to be"

Crafty crafting

I am a candle girl. I la-la-la-love them. I would also love to be able to afford the always yummy smelling Yankee Candle but for right now I am a Wal-Mart girl and proud of it.

Mom got me hooked on the Wal-Mart brand pumpkin spice candles last year when I lived at home and this year I made the addition of the pumpkin apple scent to my little collection. These two scents together are heavenly!

Now, it says on the jar the label is "easy peel" but I have found that to be false so during my Christmas decorating extravaganza this weekend I discovered a quick and cute fix to that pesky label.

1 stray piece of burlap ribbon + a bobby pin + a $3 Wal-Mart candle = Ta-Da 

This little discovery along with my Christmas surprise of hand polka-dotted wine glasses from the little made me one very happy homeowner last night! Do you have any quick, easy, and most importantly cheap decorating tips? 

S.N.O.W

Downtown snow days are the pretties, but I may be biased.

Happy first snow Baby Kress!

FA LA LA LA

This past Sunday was certainly Funday full of burlap wired bows, wreaths, Christmas lights, and polka dot tissue paper wrapped presents.

Just change my address to 5th Ave North [Pole].

Such a HUGE thank you to my momma for the best holiday surprises of burlap, wired ribbon, extra wreaths, and those precious big bulb lights! 

xoxo Elf Caroline 

It's easy to forget in the day to day drudge, but this life really is something else.

Take it all in.

[not so] extreme couponing

My life theme at the moment can be summed up in three words: Ballin on a Budget ["a"s not really a word]

Just last weekend I was digging through mom and dad's recycling to find that $5 off Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon. 

So when Sara emailed me a Shutterfly offer last week, I couldn't refuse. 

Side Note: I am a HUGE fan of Shutterfly and their sister company Tiny Prints. Heck, I even blogged for Tiny Prints just this spring. 

Shutterfly runs some amazing deals, you just have to catch them! And boy did Sara catch a good one.

We each got an 8'x11' free photo calendar, all we had to do was pay the $4.95 shipping. Now, $4.95 I can handle.

A quick trip to the folder of all my favorite pictures from this past year, some dragging and dropping, and TA-da! 

I absolutely love it. And who knows, you might just be in it...

Southern Living kind of Life

Three words: I. Did. It.

I picked my recipes. I made a grocery list. I made a pie. 

And not just any pie, a Southern Living Thanksgiving Pie. 

(and mayyybe Mom saved my butt a couple times, but I still did it)

And it was a damn good Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

Now, we conquer Christmas..

So, here is my Thanksgiving in pictures [duh].

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Trail Mix, um #yum

My own personal heaven

Half way there!

November 28th was half Thanksgiving and half football

I. Did. It.

December 1st: Santa mug

Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year

Today and Forever

I remember hearing stories during rush, not only in the Zeta suite, about how these are friends you'll have forever. I remember in new member meetings hearing about how the big/little bond is something you'll have for life. I remember running through the halls of Laurel with my clues in hand to find my big. And my little screaming in my face when I finally took her blindfold off to reveal I was her big.

I've told the story before of how Molly and I fell apart my junior year, something I wish I could go back and remedy everyday. But like the stories told in countless sisterhood circles, big/little is forever and we found our way back to each other. 

This weekend I was lucky enough to get a night out with my little and her sweet boy. 

It reminded me how much I absolutely cherish our friendship and all the laughs we've shared not only this weekend but all the time.

I've learned friendships are built on the little things, like polka dot band-aids in Christmas present boxes, coordinating flannels and puffy vests, being eternal Mich Ultra girls, and that look we can give each other from across a crowded room and know exactly what the other one is thinking. 

So here's to big/little, today and forever.

Let Thankfulness rule in your heart.

As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens.

"Hallelujahs" are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart. 

A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles.

Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness. 

-Jesus Calling

When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run

Last year I dedicated my Thanksgiving week 10 Things post to being thankful. So this year I carry on that tradition. I have not made any effort to hide how rough 2013 has been for me, yet I think I have more to be thankful for this year than ever before. "It's always darkest before the dawn"

10 things...I'm thankful for:

1. This year I found my faith. For the first time in my adult life, I have a relationship with the Lord. We talk all the time now.

2. My health. [ especially thankful for Prilosec, Lexapro, Align, Dr.Parrish.]

3. My Mother. The woman that stood by me when I was at my lowest. The woman who held me the day my "life fell apart" The woman who sat in the waiting room for two hours at the doctor's just so I would have support waiting there for me. The woman who never gave up on me. The woman who now cheers me on once again.

4. My Father. The man who walked me through buying my first house [and climbed into my ceiling to fix my AC unit]. The man who still sneaks off with my car, fills it up with gas, and acts surprised when I turn it on and see that F. The man who made me the Steeler loving, curse word saying, beer drinking, hard working, sweat pant wearing person I am today.

5. My job. "It's going to be okay and it's going to be better" This was how it was suppose to go.

6. My friends. Their happiness and support. Their care packages and cards. Their love.

7. My sweet rooftop house. And my parents for letting me "shack" with them for a year so I could have Kress 308 and for constantly surprising me with mini heaters, bulletin boards, flowers, and little presents for my [now] home.  

8. Only 3 more years till we are NObama for-ev-er.

9. My [little] brother. He keeps me humble. He makes me laugh. He loves me a lot [even when I yell at him].Our car rides together, laughing. Being his Sissi,

10. Happiness. Good lord, HOW many times have I blogged about this topic? So go ahead, ask me. "Are you happy?" 

I've never been better. 

Bundled up on Church Street

It's officially chilly in Music City.

Yesterday was the first "ohh emm gee it's SNOW" day here in the 615.

It looked like a snow globe outside my office and when I got home to my rooftop house I was greeted by a snowy front porch [yeah that's a pumpkin, it's not even Thanksgiving yet y'all]

A couple weeks back I blogged about my first baby Christmas tree for my first house. 

Well y'all, I broke that sucker out of its box and couldn't get it set up fast enough. It's lacking ornaments but it makes me so happy to light it up every night after work!

And now we're just hours away from Thanksgiving. I will be joining Julie in the kitchen, for the first time ever, this year and I couldn't be more excited[nervous]. Thanks for the confidence and inspiration Southern Living!

Be on the look-out for my Thankful post tomorrow! 

Winter Layering

Scarves and monogrammed mittens are great, but this is my favorite kind of winter layering.

Another look inspired by Tumblr lunch breaks.

Baby it's cold outside.

. . you can walk instead of run

2013 has been a bumpy one for me full of highs and lots of lows.
But the one thing this year has taught me is I really will never be alone.
Happy Friday Eve.

Yea it's been a bumpy road

Roller coasters high and low

Fill the tank and drive the car

Pedal fast, pedal hard

You won't have to go that far

You want to give up cause it's dark

We're really not that far apart

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you're lost

And you should follow it wherever it may go

When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run

Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

Never be alone

Forgot directions on your way

Don't close your eyes don't be afraid

We might be crazy late at night

I can't wait til you arrive

Follow stars you'll be alright

You want to give up cause it's dark

We're really not that far apart

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you're lost

And you should follow it wherever it may go

When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run

Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

Never be alone

You want to give up cause it's dark

We're really not that far apart

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you're lost

And you should follow it wherever it may go

When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run

Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

Never be alone

When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run

Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

"Burrrrrrrrr"

Of course, as to be expected, momma did good with her "We left you for three weeks" trip present.

Just in time for colder weather, some gorgeous Bur[rrrrrrrr]berry.

Elf Elf baby

In case you missed it, JULIE IS BACK!

And what better way to jump back into #lifewithJulie than a four hour adventure to the Nashville Christmas Village?! After two cups of coffee, more mini muffins than I'm willing to admit, and a couple outfit changes [on both sides of the house] we were ready to go!

Um, we were not ready . These people mean business, like matching "I believe in Santa"/multiple Christmas themed tote bags for purchases/Christmas tree headbands business.But there is nothing the Pekarsky girls can not handle. Second booth of the first building and we had our first purchase! As American Pickers [and dad] would say, we had broken the ice. 

There were six buildings and we mini stepped our way through all of them.

At the end of they day, I had a precious new Christmas tree for outside my front door [thank you momma], two packs of fabulous Christmas cards, a burlap Steeler ornament, and two AMAZE presents for dad.

Oh and lots of laughs with mom [along with the promise that I will never bring my child under the age of 12 to Christmas Village.] 

Then it was home, hot dogs, nap, chili, Killing Kennedy [we all ended up getting sucked into that one], and Ron White on Netflix. It's like they never left for three weeks.

I am one happy kid. 

Stuck in Colder Weather

Because 30 degree weather calls for really big coffee, preferably in a monogrammed Steelers Tervis. 

Bundle up, y'all! 

Remember

Our Freedom is not Free.

Say a prayer for our troops this Veteran's Day. 

Nailed it

I am a sucker for a good manicure. No sheet imprints, no chips, good shine. 

I do an at home manicure every Sunday (usually while watching football, not the safest idea) and for the past 2 years I have sworn by Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure topped off with  her Dry and Go Drops. 

Well, that was until this weekend. 

I stalked down an Essie color I saw on Pinterest and had to have it about this time last fall, Going Incognito. The most gorgeous dark green color, perfect fall nails.

In true #whitegirlproblems fashion, I dreaded using this flawless color because the Dry and Go Drops just didn't work their same magic on Essie color (I had tried and the sheet marks prevailed).

Well, that was until this weekend.

I have found the Holy Grail of at home manicures, Essie's Good to Go top coat.

Homegirl is not lying when she says "color sets in seconds."

And the shine, oh my gracious. 

Price range, you're looking at the same as Dry and Go Drops, around $7.99. But Good to Go is a top coat formula vs the liquid Dry and Go Drops so they last longer! 

So I apologize Sally Hansen but Essie has won me over.

And just throwing it out there, an Essie winter collection color and Good to Go would make an awesome Christmas present for any nail obsessed girlfriend of yours! 

Wherever it Points

Her less than enthused face at the CMAs might have caused quite the stir but you gotta hand it to the girl, Kacey Musgraves sure does know how to write a song. 

She performed this one at the CMAs and I now I love it. 

tgif y'all.

Say what you think
Love who you love
'Cause you just get
So many trips 'round the sun
Yeah, you only
Only live once

Make lots of noise
Kiss lots of boys
Just follow your arrow wherever it points

Letting my freak flag fly

Yesterday I blogged about an amazing article that was passed along to me. 

This was one of the quotes that really jumped out at me: 

"I'm just going to tell you that you're kind of strange. You're kind of quirky in the sense that no one ever fully understands the person that you are so you carry it like a secret between your smirked lips."

Since I haven't done a 10 Things list in um, literally forever, I thought I'd share 10 things about me that are kind of strange. Hope you get a good laugh and get to know me a little better!

1. I love the smell of fake tan. [like love it]

2. I can wiggle my ears. 

3. I am terrified of squirrels. [I will scream and run]

4. When I get nervous, I rub the skin around my thumbs. It's bad. Like blood on final exams bad.

5. I sleep on my stomach, like a starfish.

6. I am a sucker for handwritten notes and cards. I keep them all. [still have a mini card mom put in my lunch box in 6th grade, no joke, it had a pig on it]

7. I have a coffee cup fetish. I just love them.

8. I am known to go back and delete tweets at the end of the week [especially replies to people]

9. I eat clockwise and none of my food can touch.

10. I slap my thighs when running up a tough hill. [feel the burn]

So there you have it. I'm not just "kind of" strange. But I own it. Obs. 

Talk Nauti To Me

Taking some outfitspiration from one of my favorites, Jen over at Three Sweet Peas today!

I may be biased, but I think my first go 'round at the shirt + dress combo was a success.

Happy Friday Eve!

Punch Drunk

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure- Punch Drunk

#currentlyobsessed

"Don't worry, you're beautiful. You're strong."

So I'm stealing this from the now Mrs. Leitch [The Heart of Life is Good].

She sends me some of the best 20-something problem life help articles.

She has the whole article on her blog [and you should totally go check it out] but I'm just gonna pull out a couple quotes that really hit my heart.

This summer was a rough one for me. 

For the first time in my 20-something era I confronted the fact that I was depressed. 

And had been for a good while. 

With the support of my entire family, especially my momma, I ran head first into getting myself healthy again. 

I was in the never ending downward spiral of the bedtime bed to couch to bed to couch fire drill; spouts of sobbing/crying/breakdowns; not wanting to be in my house that I had loved so much; no appetite; and just overall emptiness. 

I felt like I never laughed anymore.

This article brought me back to all of that, by showing me how far I've come from it.

I hope when you read this you feel proud of all you've overcome, no matter how big or small.

Oh, and I cry a lot now, mostly from laughing so hard.

"When I said I was struggling, people would tell me I was beautiful. 

"Don't worry, you're beautiful. You're strong."

Like just telling me "You're beautiful" was enough. I couldn't help but laugh. I was uncontrollable. I was sad."

"Babe, if you've got struggles then let's start raging. Your tiny fingers were prepped and created for battle"

" And baby, if you don't want to be something, then just don't be it."

"I'm just going to tell you that you're kind of strange. You're kind of quirky in the sense that no one ever fully understands the person that you are so you carry it like a secret between your smirked lips. Yes, you've been waiting for a moment to prove people wrong. I cannot wait to see that day."

" You're not an apology letter, you're a thank-you note just waiting to happen."

#TheLunns

Between starting a new job, getting mom and dad out of the country, and trying to remember to eat three times a day I haven't had anytime to post wedding pictures from Em and B's big day. 

So here ya go!

Happy One Month to these two favorites of mine!