Throw my hair up real big beauty queen style

  So Sunday was the Oscars and two Sundays ago were the Grammys but none of those mean anything because this Saturday is the Nashville ADDYs, The American Advertising Awards. All of Nashville's agencies gather in our most formal of attire and have a grand ole time full of cocktails, awards, and mingling. At least that's what I've heard daydreamt it's like, I've never been. I'm like a starry eyed freshmen at prom. So what better excuse to bust out the Rent the Runway credit I had laying around and get an amazing dress. 

Dress: Elizabeth and James- Share the Love Dress
Earrings: Miguel Ases- Dress Me Up Earrings
Clutch: Lilly Pulitzer- Blue Bow Tie Clutch

   I picked my dress without even looking at the designer, who just happened to be Elizabeth and James by the one and only well I guess technically two and only Olsen twins. And of course the clutch is Lilly, duh. Designer dress and accessories at 90% designer prices, what else could a girl want? Oh yeah, free return shipping? CHECK. I may be biased since I interned for them in college but they have become my greatest asset in post grad life other than a good messy ponytail. How many girls can say they wore Badgley Mischka for NYE and Elizabeth and James a month later all for under $200. This Girl. So next time you have an event or one a couple months out dresses reserve/rent out fast especially the new arrivals, Rent the Runway is your site. 

NYE, Hello 2013!

Empty cheers and a great defeat

   I love the show Heart of Dixie on the CW Tuesdays 8/7c. It is one of my many guilty pleasures I enjoy during my Friday night OnDemand marathons the only one I will admit to and what's not to love about it? First the name of the town is Bluebell presh ,it's all about the South and some SEC rivalry, and Lemon Breeland is just monogrammed fabulous. The CW is genius in their use of Spotify playlists username: thecwspotify. Each show has it's own playlist, some multiple playlists- one for each season, and they update them the morning after the show airs. I have pretty much memorized the Heart of Dixie Season 2 playlist so last night I shuffled the Season 1 playlist and found this little diddy. The title makes it sound sweet and cute but if you really listen to the lyrics it's about a little dream world where you can climb Strawberry Hill and the juice from the berries erase all your painful memories. I still think it's sweet. Wouldn't we all love to climb Strawberry Hill?

This was the best video I could find. Sorry y'all. Definitely go to Spotify and look it up. Or subscribe to the Heart of Dixie Season 1 playlist or any of their other show playlists! 
#np Strawberry Hill- Bronze Radio Return

Off to Never Never Land

   I could read and read and get lost in books 26 hours a day if I a) had the option and 2. had that many hours in a day. Cinderella got a shoe and Belle got a library. And I always wonder why I connected more with Belle..  Coming up with 10 things each week has proven to be harder than expected, but a little challenge is always good. And friends' blogs always serve as the best inspiration/tiny bit of idea stealing. So stealing some inspiration this week from a good friend of mine check out her blog, McCloud 9 here here are 10 reads you won't be able to put down once you finally find the time to pick them up..

10 Things [books]... you should read

each book is linked to its synopsis on Barnes and Noble

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

I have never gotten faked out by a book so hard, but SO good

2. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche 

we're all at this point in our lives, at least laugh about it

3. There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder 

that good ole Southern tradition with a twist 

4. Something Blue by Emily Giffin 

everyone knows Something Borrowed, but Something Blue picks up where Borrowed left off and humanizes Darcy a little

5. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks 

completely different from the movie, like in a GOOD different

6. Savages/Kings of Cool by Don Winslow 

technically two but can't have one without the other, Kings of Cool is the prequel but I suggest reading after Savages

7. Decision Points by George W. Bush 

read it. you're welcome.

8. The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham 

couldn't put it down. love her and love this book.

9. Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella 

technically 4th in the series but my favorite, we all have siblings we all "hate" them

10. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young 

best New Years day purchase ever

Gone Girl's on the NooK, sorry

Same person. Different nose.

   This week was a very big week in the life of the Pekarsky family. Particularly for my dad. While he lectures me the most, he is also one of the biggest fans of my life and now career. He's not one of those dads who is very sappy or "daddy's little girl" types. We never went to the father/daughter dances at school and he never sent me flowers on Valentine's Day, but he did take me to Paris... To make a long story short, one President's Club work trip bound for Paris and a cancelled babysitter later it was me and dad instead of dad and mom in first class seats on ze way to Paris. The entire trip was incredible, my grandchildren will hear me ramble on about this trip and one night in particular. From our hotel room balcony you could see the Eiffel Tower and every night when it lit up we'd stand there and watch it. [sidenote] Now the whole family had just gone to Paris that spring, and while dad and Joe stayed safely on the ground mom and I had ventured to the top. Well we tried to at least, while we were in line to get on the elevator to take us to the tippy top there was a terrorist threat and the Tower was evacuated. Never thought I'd get a chance to go back. [back to the story] So, after wandering the streets of Paris all day, creating our own The Davinci Code tour, eating way too much, and getting with my first Longchamp we decided to venture to the Eiffel Tower so I could see it light up and sparkle in person. Fun fact: It lights up on the hour every hour after a certain time at night. We got there 10 minutes after the hour. So for 50 minutes we sat on a bench right in front, front row seats, and laughed and talked and people watched and then had one of the most magical moments of my life. When that thing lights up and sparkles it's like nothing you could ever imagine. Being right in front of it is a whole other story. It's amazing. It's stuff like this and memories like those that never make me question how blessed I am to have gotten a dad like mine. Now it's his turn to go have all these moments, Lord knows he deserves it. Love you dude. 

Smile in the age of worry

   Today's gonna be a long one. I've had a small bout of heartburn every time I've caught a glimpse of today in my planner for about the past two weeks. But here we go anyway. This song came up on my shuffle while driving to work on Monday and I could not think of a more perfect song for today, and the next 8, eh 9 years of my life. So I guess I'll have my morning peppermint tea, take some Zantac, and rage in the age of worry. 

Close your eyes and clone yourself

Build your heart an army

To defend your innocence

While you do everything wrong

Don't be scared to walk alone

Don't be scared to like it

There's no time that you must be home

So sleep where darkness falls

Alive in the age of worry

Smile in the age of worry

Go wild in the age of worry

And say, "Worry, why should I care?"

Know your fight is not with them

Yours is with your time here

Dream your dreams but don't pretend

Make friends with what you are

Give your heart then change your mind

You're allowed to do it

'Cause God knows it's been done to you

And somehow you got through it

Alive in the age of worry

Rage in the age of worry

Sing out in the age of worry

And say, "Worry, why should I care?"

Rage in the age of worry

Act your age in the age of worry

And say, "Worry, get out of here!"

Eyes on the prize. Eyes on the prize.

   Yes, I will admit; I am one of those people who follows "All about [insert your zodiac sign here]" accounts on Twitter. Mostly for fun. Mostly because I want to see if they get it right. My curiosity is usually justified when the characteristics they describe fit me to a T or have something to do with what I were just gchatting about usually about how I'm emotionally challenged I try not to RT these just favorite them because no one cares about Gemini if they're not one and it would make me look weird[er], but there was one end of last week that struck a cord with me. It was talking about how Gemini focus on the here and now. They [we] have problems looking ahead/seeing the big picture. And this is when Julie would say, "I have no idea who that sounds like." So today's 10 Things are all about the big picture and looking ahead.  

10 Things... I'm looking ahead to

1. Lunch with mom on Thursday, Copper Kettle, um yes.

2. The Nashville ADDY Awards next weekend. I'll brag on us in a later post, no worries.

3. Muh gurl Jenn Pesek is comin to town y'all, second weekend of March. To quote Mary J. Blige, "hootie hoo, run for cover"

4. Maroon 5 concert with Miss Ashley McCloud, followed by a Monday vacation day, whoo!

5. Joe comes home for spring break! 

6. This is an odd one since you lose an hour of sleep but, Daylight Savings Time. I don't have to run in the dark and risk my life anymore!

7. Holy Week and Easter

8. This little thing called Steeplechase 

9. My 1 year BOHANniversary

10. MY BIRTHDAY and birthday trip to DC baby

Now, if I could just make it through the next two days that would be awesome too.

And unto dust you shall return

   Lent. It's here. Regardless of whatever your ashes look like today usually a smudge, last year a Harry Potter scar they all have one thing in common. They symbolize the 40 days to come and our preparation as Catholics for Easter. If you're not Catholic, you probably don't understand the gravity of today and what's to come, Easter. It's emotional. I know in our family, you think long and hard about what you can give up. It's suppose to be a challenge, if your Lenten promise scares you your priest would be proud. Don't pick something easy. I'm giving up fast food Sonic Zaxbys Chipotle Firehouse Taco Bell. After going over budget books with the dad the other week, that money would be better spent not being spent. Last year I gave up alcohol. Nothing crazy but a challenge.  My mom has always been my role model in life but over the past couple years this has expanded into other roles in life, especially Lent. It takes courage to give up something big, keeping the faith that it will be worth it in the end. Junior year of college she gave me up. The way my life was going she didn't agree with and couldn't be a part of anymore. We only talked on Sundays your cheat day and even then it was brief. I hated her that Lent. Thought she was being dramatic, stupid, crazy. I get it now. So this Lent look at your life and think of what you can gain by giving something up. 

It takes me all the way, I want you to stay

   There are all those sayings, "If you love something let it go" "Time shows you what's really important" "If it's meant to be, it'll be" blah blah. You keep people at arms distance because you don't want to get attached because in the coming months you're graduating, moving, whatever. You move on. And then wonder why everything after them isn't working out. Why every guy drives you nuts. And then it hits you, well more like grabs you. That person you had at arms distance now has you by the shoulder and you couldn't be happier. That's exactly what this song makes me think of. You can do no wrong with Mumford and Sons.

A good manicure can take on the world

   Way back in November I said one of my resolutions was to keep my nails done and, with some help from Sally Hansen, that resolution has yet to be broken. I guess you could say, I nailed it. ha, haha I personally swear by the Complete Salon Manicure line by Sally Hansen along with her Instant Cuticle Remover so worth the $5 and some other goodies of hers I will occasionally splurge on. At this stage of the game I definitely do not have the money to get a manicure every week. I do however have Saturday afternoons of OnDemand viewing that are complimented well by a new shade on my nails. But I digress, these past couple weeks Christmas came late, Easter came early, and I jumped for joy because the 2013 colors are finally stocked on the shelves! So this week's 10 Things is all in the wrist, put yours to good use and get these 10 gorgeous colors on your nails. Spring is coming and your nail color can always be the staple of any outfit. 

10 Things... or colors my nails are loving

1. Cherry, Cherry, Bang Bang! second from the top up there

2. Blue Rose (Fall 2012) gorgeous, unfortunately if you didn't get it then it's gone

3.Commander in Chic the perfect dark polish, especially if it's your first

4.Pat on the Black third from the top, a "safe" black, has more of a purple undertone

5. All Fired Up the perfect red for everyday

6. Greige Gardens don't let the name/color in the bottle fool you, has a pretty lilac undertone

7. Snappy Sorbet very bright, very summer

8. Kook- A- Mango first Complete Salon Manicure color I ever bought, still one of my favorites

9. Frutti Petutie not a hot pink but not a baby pink

10. Summer Plum (Summer 2012) pretty dark purple, yes that is possible

Saving the best for last, you can try on all these colors with the amaze "Nail Selector" found on Sally Hansen's website. Enjoy!

I still got time, I still got faith

   Stealing this one from a friend thanks Sara, per usual knowing what I needed to read before I even did, like I said you find the best inspiration from other blogs. I think it fits into not only my family's life but a lot of our lives right now. For the majority of us early 20 something year olds we just broke through the atmosphere, the first parts are starting to fall off. It's tough. Actually, it just plain sucks. But much like we realize later on in life that our parents kind of knew what they were doing raising us, we have to trust in the "designer" and his plan for us and our little rocket ship that could.

"A rocket ship is propelled into the sky, with every intention to succeed. It starts off with all the parts it thinks it needs to get there. It begins with all the things it deems essential in order to go about its travel in a safe and happy manner. However, the designer of the rocket ship knows that the rocket must shed some parts in order to make its destination safely. Some are large parts, some are small. They are parts that just fall off along the way. When the rocket gets to its destination, there is no need look back on all the parts it has lost, because the rocket is where it is because the designer knew exactly what must go and what must stay."

"There's something wrong with your love story baby"

   I'm boring. And it's awesome. Last night I got Sonic for dinner gotta get it while I still can, lent is fast approaching got in a pair of sweats I stole from dad the usual watched a little OnDemand and one of my favorite movies, Savages. Yes, Tim Riggins Friday Night Lights fans unite grew up and is now in an open relationship with a hot blonde and weed. Total Rom Com. Joke. But I'm obsessed. The only thing better than the movie itself the book is incredible also btw, definitely recommend reading that and its prequel The Kings of Cool is the soundtrack, it sounds like summer. And after thinking yesterday was Thursday it goes without saying its already been a long week. So listen to this and mentally picture summer, you can almost feel your skin soaking up the sun, almost. 

Three words. Eight letters.

   Valentine's Day... 

   Yes I went there. It's um, the greatest and the worst holiday depending on who you sleep with at night. If it's the heart shaped pillow your mom got you Valentine's day freshmen year of college, then maybe you should steer clear of the intense red and pink heart explosion also known as the Hallmark card display at Wal-mart. If it's your precious boyfriend who we all know has some amazing surprise planned for you, then you can just leave now. So, thinking ahead and pulling from personal experience of being single the past two February 14ths I put together a cute little list of things you can get yourself for heart day or hint at your mom to get you or get your best girlfriends and won't bust your budget. And remember, it took Noah and Allie SEVEN YEARS to get their shit together so don't stress about this over hyped holiday. Fat Tuesday is way better anyway. 

10 Things... you can get yourself for Valentine's Day

1. Your very own set of May Notes or a May Book or both!

2. Lilly Pulitzer coffee/tea cup or travel mug 

3. A new book, you know there is always one you want on the New Arrivals table at Barnes&Noble

4. Something cute for your office, I have one of Primitives by Kathy's box signs and love it

5. A set of Stickygrams, your Instagram pictures turned into magnets I mean come on

6. School or office "supplies", Office Depot's See Jane Work line is adorable and more importantly affordable

7. Finally buy that movie that you always watch and crack up at whenever you catch it on HBO 59 times a week, Friends with Benefits is mine

8. Um anything from Marley Lilly, monogrammed goodness

9. Obsessed with picture frames? You'll love Magnolia Lane. Or anything else in their The South collection.

10. Norts. So you can run and stuff..

All 10 things are $30 and under so you can treat yourself and still save. And don't worry this is the only post about Valentine's Day you'll see on here, gotta keep my surprise underwraps for a certain someone!

Uh huh, you know what it is

   I have the blessing and burden of coming from a crafty mother. While Julie is the former title holder of Greatest Room Parent ever, I am not. However, I try. And while the Steelers were not in the playoffs this year I kept the #blackandyellow flame alive in my heart by crafting for them instead of cheering aka swearing The long weekend over MLK day was the perfect time and since today is Superbowl Sunday vom, need a beer I'd thought I'd be stubborn and show my Steeler love with the blogosphere.

 

First up was a silouhette glitter canvas you keep seeing all over Pinterest. I highly recommend using glitter acrylic craft paint vs. painting on glue and then sprinkling on real glitter over and over. The project was super simple. Found a "stencil" I like using Google images, saved it, printed it full page, then cut out the parts I need to to make my stencil, nail scissors work like a charm for this part having tiny fingers helped too. Then it was simply tracing out my design with pencil, painting on my glitter paint, and waiting. I did two coats to cover brush marks and WA-LA!

 

 

 

My second project of the day was a fleece Steeler blanket. I got 3 yards of the Steeler logo fleece fabric from Hobby Lobby for 30% off, best day ever. It was then simply cutting my two pieces, pinning the edges make sure you've got it inside out and then sewing it all together. Sophie now enjoys watching Friday Night Lights with me under it.

 

Little crafts like these are perfect ways to rep your team without stooping to the level of the Victoria's Secret PINK NFL collection. Along with companies like Vineyard Vines who have NFL lines, I do turn 23 in four months and they do have a Steeler tote.

So, enjoy the commericals. I've got Rotel and Sweet Water Blue calling my name, along with my Steeler fleece. #blackandyellow