Who runs the world? Moms

Today is super exciting.

My inaugural post on BOHAN's Why Moms Rule blog was posted!

I had the honor of having a Q&A with mom and stationary extraordinaire Mica May.

Yes, that Mica May from May Designs! 

Click on the link below and enjoy!

http://www.whymomsrule.com/post/56995633922/q-a-with-mica-may

I'm lovin it

It's the little things in life that make it fun and pretty.

Here are 5 things I'm loving in my life right now.

Christmas in August

Counting down to August 10, first pre-season game! 

Eli Manning, you're precious. But #blackandyellow baby. 

Shaken, not Stirred

BIG accomplishment for my little loft this weekend:

the gorgeous bar cart mom found for my birthday is officially open for business.

With some styling by Julie and wine by dad, it's finally complete!

I'm a beer girl, but those stir sticks definitely make me want to learn how to make a martini!

Days like this

So, this life thing. It gets easier right? Because right now, I speak for a good number of us when I say, this is a lot more miserable than magical. 

"It gets better." 

I'll be completely honest and say I'm tired of waiting for it to get better. I wake up every morning like it's Christmas, "ooooo is it better yet?" You feel beaten down, exhausted, broke as a joke, and if you're like me- kind of alone. I have some of the best friends in the world, but not all of them are with me here in Nashville so 95% of the time I feel like I don't have any friends. I've found life is 99% a mental game with yourself, and you are the best at beating yourself up. It wasn't until my doctor finally said it for it to get through my stubborn head, your first years of your 20s aren't [or suppose to be] easy. It's a traumatic experience, going from college (where all of my stuff was paid for) to living at home for a year to save (where 50% of my stuff was paid for), to owning a freaking loft downtown (all me). Nothing I can't overcome, but it's gonna take some time and work. Being the youngest at work, stood up by guys, and throwing away half the dinners you make doesn't make it any more fun. But if the past two months has taught me anything, don't be embarrassed to admit you're struggling. You will never grow, never get better, never be happy if you keep it inside and try and fix it yourself. That does nothing, besides drive your mom crazy. You can only cry it out in the shower for so long. If you have the support system I do, someone's gonna crack and drop the "W" word, I'm worried about you. I always complain to mom that I bust my ass for people/friends all the time and no one ever asks me if I'm okay. And like always she made a good point, "maybe they don't think you need anything." When really, no matter how stubborn we are [ or like to come off as] we could all use something (at least every now and then) So I finally said it, I need help. I don't want to feel like this anymore. And today starts the new chapter of the new book of my 20 -something life. I hear people say this and as cheesy as it may be [judge me if you must], but I am way too blessed to be stressed. 

You're my best friend, Marry me.

Today is 7/11. If you grew up in the Pekarsky house you know that every time the clock reads 7:11 you make a wish. Why? Because it's mom's lucky time/day/numbers. And that's because on 7/11 dad proposed! 

I may be biased. Okay, I'm completely biased. But I absolutely love the story of my parent's engagement.

Dad had everything planned out. 

He had lured mom home early with the story of having tickets to the Pirates game that night. 

She walked in. He got down on one knee. She said yes.

Now, dad had only gotten the tickets as a ruse to get mom home early.

But in true Julie fashion, she wanted to go to the game!

So they went to the game, ate hot dogs, drank beer, and mom showed anyone and everyone her gorgeous diamond ring. 

A Pittsburgh sports team, hot dogs, beer, and a diamond ring.

Boys, take notes.

So happy 7/11 to my sweet parents.

I hope I find one as good as my mom did. 

Jesus Calling.

Every 20-something should have this on their bed side table.

And open it often. 

This home is home and all that I need

I jokingly tweeted on my birthday that I had never had a boyfriend on my birthday but this year I had a house, so I win. I may have said it tongue and cheek but it rings true of my life right now. The past two months have been a tidal wave of emotions, stress, and life moments. I'm sure it would have been wonderful to have a boy there to come over and vent to/watch a movie with/just talk to. I had one better, my incredible friends. And yes, Julie may be my mom, but she is at the top of my best friends list. I had text messages every morning at 6am from Sara, g-chats from Jenn before my tea had even steeped, surprise flower arrangements showing up at the front desk, encouraging notes from Knoxville and DC, and lots of Mean Girl related wall posts to make me laugh. And of course, lots of nights blowing into the laundry room and scaring everyone at dinner. I stumbled upon this song two weeks ago. At first I immediately correlated it with losing my grandmother, "everything goes away." But when you really listen to the lyrics, it's about two best friends. All the trials they go through, what finally separates them, and all the times they leaned on each other. Which is why, I return to my Wordy Wednesday roots for this post. Radical Face, I discovered you through a Pandora binge during finals Sophomore year of college, and here you are four years later still putting my life into lyrics. You girls will be Always Gold to me.

But everything goes away

So, we survived. 

2x 11 hour car rides, 1 in pouring rain. 

Eating out 5 days in a row, including ordering Jet's the night we got home.

Lots of tough moments, but lots of good ones too. 

I have never felt more incredibly blessed to have the family and father I do.

Our last day in Pittsburgh, we got to explore the Steel City with the best tour guide, dad!

We saw Pitt, Heinz Field, PNC Park, Mt. Washington, and more Steeler stuff than I could have ever imagined. It was awesome.

And I will admit, Dad wins in the Pekarsky family for prettiest college campus. 

Here are some of my favorites:

up and up on Mt. Washington

HEINZ FIELD, THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH

Overlooking Heinz Field #blackandyellow

The Pitt Panther, my vote for Christmas Card 2013

Ordering at The O, The Original Hot Dog Shop. SO good even mom had one. 

Home plate of the original Forbes Field, Pirates #1 right now! 

I was raised to love Pittsburgh. Love the Steelers. Love Pitt. Love my Dad. But after this trip I, a born and raised Southern girl, can say this is one of my favorite places. Ever.
Pittsburgh, I will be back. Still have to find myself a Steeler...