5 on Friday

This week had tons of fun moments and random rain showers [yes Lord, please water my flowers.]

And next week is 4th of July!! 

So here are five things that happened this week that made my heart full.

1. EMMA is here! Kylie had her gorgeous little girl Tuesday night and we got to go visit Wednesday at lunch!

2. 2014-2015 Lilly Pulitzer planners are officially here! Can't wait to fill that baby up with exciting events to come.

3. Tiernee and I celebrated my birthday [it's a birthday month, remember?] last night with Throwback Thursday night at the Sounds game. $2 hot-dogs and beer, yes!

4. Brad, Maggie, and I walked down to the World Cup festivities on Demonbreun for lunch yesterday, so much fun AND we are in the round of 16! U S A

5. Can't wait to get my hair done this afternoon, hello summer hair!

Friday 6/27

#tbt #OllertoLunn

It's crazy to think this was a year ago this weekend. Time truly does fly.

Now three of these beautiful women are married and there's a new Jackson baby [we found out about him that weekend!] 

To quote Cory Smith, if I could do it again [I would still hide in the bathroom from the stripper] I'd do it the same. 

Don't Sing I'm A Mess

I have professed my love for Ed Sheeran many a time through social media and Pekarsk-ing Around, but still no date with the tatt'd up voice of an angel. So what's one more blog post?

Yesterday, the precious best friend of T-swift released his new album "X" [pronounced "multiply"] and I can confidently say there will be no sophomore slump for this Brit. It is so good. 

I follow Ed on Spotify and the tricky ginger made a playlist simply entitled "The New Album." Every day last week a new song from X was added to the playlist so by the time the full album was released I was already obsessed! Here's the complete playlist from Spotify,

I knew Sara's favorite song immediately yesterday morning when she tweeted some of the lyrics from Photograph, and that song is def one of the best on the album.

Here are my Top 5:
Bloodstream
Afire Love
Sing
Tenerife Sea
One

That list will probably change by lunch time tomorrow. Like I said the whole album is just so good.
Now if I could just casually bump into Ed downtown..

Weekend Recap: 6/21-6/22

This weekend was full of dogs, soccer, blue Frisbee, pool floatin, and laughing.

I house and dog sat for Sara, The Heart of Life is Good, this weekend and it was so much fun!

I got to the house bright and early to see Sara and Patrick off to the lake for a much deserved weekend. Then it was just Lila, Rascal, and me. We played and played and played and then napped on repeat. 

We wrapped up the night all snuggled into bed with some Tim Riggins on Netflix. 

Sunday morning we hung out on the back patio while Lila paced the doors waiting for Sara.

Once Mom and Dad returned, I was off to my mom and dad's house just in time for pool time!

We moved the party inside just in time for the World Cup game aka the longest 90 [+5] minutes ever.

I mean seriously, what sport ends in tie? 

Then it was dinner, Penny Dreadful, and the usual 10:30pm drive back into downtown.

This week is packed full of fun things, be sure to check back for all the Instagrams!

5 on Friday

I am finally getting with the program and linking up with The Heart of Life is Good for 5 on Friday!

Sara had an awesome post today all about running in this wonderful 90% humidity, while I 'm going for a more "Random" theme for my first post out the gate. 

1. I am so excited to house and dog sit for Sara and Patrick this weekend! I like this phase of life we're entering where I can house sit for friends and they can get some much needed R&R.

2. I officially accepted the Vice President position on Ad2 Nashville's Board for 2014-2015. Aka cue the planning. I am all about the florals and bright colored Sharpies!

Planning with Pekarsky by crpekarsk

3. Two of my favorite shows came back for their summer seasons this week, Rookie Blue on ABC and Graceland on USA!

4. RIP to my ride or die gold sandals of three summers this week. Target to the rescue!

5. Happy Summer Solstice weekend!! I am 100% through and through a summer soul. Now get me to a pool or on the lake!

Friday 6/20

Follow meee

So we are moving on up over here at Pekarsk-ing Around.
No more mirror pictures, new header, and we are now on Bloglovin.
So follow me today!!

Follow Pekarsk-ing Around Town with Bloglovin

Pekarsk-ing Around Town

Brace yourself, the outfit pictures are coming.

Yes, real outfit pictures. 

No more of me trying to fit an entire outfit in a mirror picture without capturing my un-made bed in the background. 

First, let me explain:

At age 24 I feel like I am finally beginning to find my style.

I went to private Catholic school for middle school and high school, hello plaid skirts.

And we all know the "dress code" in college, nike shorts/oversized t-shirt.

So 2.1 years into "real life" I think I've finally hit my fashion stride.

When I plan out an outfit and it comes together as planned, I love sharing my style success usually through an Instagram picture. I am by no means a seasoned fashion blogger who has regular brand collaborations and am constantly watching my budget. So if I can put together affordable attire I want to share that [and all the great steals and deals] with my friends! 

And the responses/comments have been really great!

So I figured why not?

After all Courtney Kerr started out as a girl with a corporate job and a love for clothes.

With some help from my fellow downtown/Tennessee alum/Advertising lady, Tiernee [and her camera], I'm gonna give this a go!

Here's the game plan: each week I'll blog my favorite outfit from that week from one of my favorite places in Nashville. Simple right?

I really hope y'all enjoy these upcoming posts as much as I've enjoyed planning them!

First post coming next week, I'm thinking some JCrew Factory and Shop Dandy. 

"I blog because I'm not a good rapper"

Real talk, I owe a good 85% of all outfit inspirations to Tumblr.

I created Monograms and Media last summer and it has easily become one of my favorite downtime activities. 

In just the past year, I've found a handful of amazing new bloggers to follow and tons of pieces to obsess over. One of my absolute favorites is Danielle at Shop Dandy. My obsession with her pink faced Michael Kors watch and arm parties is unrivaled. 

As you can probably tell from the title of her Tumblr, Danielle is the owner of the precious Shop Dandy boutique. Those adorable "This is my #OOTD" boyfriend fit tshirts, yep that's all her! Once you start adding items to your cart you won't be able to stop. I just want it all, but since I also need groceries here are some of my favorites instead:

Pekarsk-ing Around love Shop Dandy by crpekarsk 

I now have a new line on my budget chart each month entitled "Shop Dandy."
Danielle is also so sweet, I even had a tweet chat with her while I was drafting this up!
Be sure to follow Shop Dandy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Oh, and be on the look out for how I style my "Bless" tshirt this week!

Weekend Recap: 6/14-6/15

This weekend started off on the right foot Friday afternoon when mom and dad finally returned from their trip up north to my favorite place on earth, Pittsburgh. I headed out to Hendersonville right after work and pizza was already ordered when I walked through the door. 

Saturday morning we were all up for coffee and to catch up on all the travelers' stories, from Falling Water to getting caught in the rain at PNC Park watching the Pirates win! Oh, and there were presents too,

After diddling around the house, mom and I were off to Publix [the usual] and back home for a mid afternoon couch crash. I headed over to Sara's house to see her new fence and patio set [grill is coming] and play with the dogs. Love those sweet things and their momma! We ended the night with a redbox movie and an early bedtime. 

Sunday was FATHER'S DAY!!

Like any other morning we started the day with coffee in the garden room. Then it was into the yard! 

[No, that's not league MVP Andrew McCutchen washing the bug]. 

Dad and I tag teamed our cars just like old times minus me spraying him with the hose every 45 seconds. 

Then it was down to the end of the driveway for trimming, raking, and wheel barrow-ing.

Dad finally called it around 1:30pm and we all headed straight for the pool!

No bikini, no problem in the Pekarsky house!

We rounded out the day with steaks and veggies on the grill and the whole family [even Sophie] watching the Game of Thrones season finale [I can't even talk about it yet.] I've come to find that the 10:30pm drive back into downtown isn't so bad after such an amazing weekend.

So, another holiday in the books..now onto deadline week!

Friday 6/13

"Post Grad" playlist #7

I have been in need of some new music so I turned to the fool proof The 1975 Pandora station.
This song popped up on my drive to work yesterday and I have already fallen in love with it.
Kodaline was featured on the Reign [Thursdays on the CW] soundtrack this season and yes all of their stuff is this good. Another great post grad life playlist song.



"Yeah, it's just the way it goes
Maybe you die young before you're old
Yeah, it's just the way it is
Nobody's gonna tell you how to live"

Mondays with Emily Giffin

In case you were under a rock last night or your WiFi got knocked out and you missed me blowing up all forms of social media, I met Emily Giffin last night! 

*back track to April*

Sara and I had Emily Giffin themed birthdays this year. You see, her new book The One and Only came out just a couple weeks after Sara's birthday in April. So naturally I pre-ordered her copy for her birthday present! THEN we found out Emily Giffin was coming to Nashville on her book tour the day after my birthday. So Sara got us tickets as part of my birthday present. We have been living for June 9th ever since.

*fast forward to yesterday*

With tickets, Something Borrowed, and The One and Only in hand we were fourth and fifth in line. Sara got there early and held our spots like a pro. 5:45pm we were in the door and front row center. 

After what felt like the longest wait ever the most precious person ever in white jeans, a pink flowy top, and nude heels made her way out on to stage and I about exploded with excitement! 

A) Emily Giffin has amazing legs

B) She is hilarious

C) She love sports and the ACC 

D) She and Sara communicated with their eyes about Rachel and Dex in Something Borrowed, it was magical

She talked about The One and Only, her journey to becoming a New York Times Best Selling author, the writing process, and how much she loves naming characters and babies. So if you love Emily Giffin and her books just as much as we do here are some fun facts:

-Rachel and Dex were originally not going to end up together in Something Borrowed, but "you have to be true to your characters."

-Her one regret is the title of Baby Proof

-The inspiration for Baby Proof was Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's divorce and the tabloid rumors it was because she didn't want children

-Darcy has twins in Something Blue because Emily Giffin found out she was having twins while writing it

-It took her 14 months to write Something Borrowed in London

-She always makes sure she has something in common with the main character [being a lawyer, having twins]

-When she started writing Something Blue she didn't like the character of Darcy, "Every time she said something I wanted to slap her and say 'Shut up.'"

-Something Borrowed was rejected by every publishing house with her first agent

-She uses baby name books when naming her characters

-Shea from The One and Only is the only character whose name she's changed while writing the book

-It really is her on Twitter and Facebook

Yes, she really is as gorgeous in real life as she is on the back of her books and so sweet.

She recognized me and Sara from Twitter and was so nice about taking pictures! 

Oh, and we made sure to tell her our birthdays were Emily Giffin themed.

Best. Night. Ever.

That time I turned 2-4

So, um, where do I even begin?

If you hadn't heard it was my birthday this weekend!

For some reason 24 sounds so much older than 23 [plus, no one likes you when you're 23.]

Even though my birthday was Sunday the party got started Friday morning. 

I ended up with more chi tea lattes than any small white girl could ever need, got surprised by Sara at work with a special "Happy Birthday" labeled Starbucks, and had a wonderful lunch in the sunshine with the best media team. 

Saturday I had been instructed to be ready by 9:45 so naturally I was ready by 9:15 [I had been up since 5am I was so excited.] Sara and I had our own little present party before heading off to my surprise and my bar cart is now even more precious thanks to Mrs. Leitch! 

Now Sara Lumley Leitch is the Queen of Surprises, there was half marathon morning when she was outside my door at 6:30am and my Sweet Caroline Starbucks Friday morning but what she had up her sleeve Saturday morning I could have never imagined! We got to Bricktops around 10am and I was just so excited to get to have a yummy brunch with my best friend when I walked into my very own surprise birthday brunch with all my Nashville girls already waiting for me! I was FLOORED! Lots of "OH MY GOD"s were said and lots of hugs were given! 

There were my Whitehardt girls [Rachael, Kylie, Sarah, and Maggie], the newly minted Mrs. Morgan Clingan, and the mastermind behind it all: Sara. After I said "OMG" a couple dozen more times, Bellinis were ordered, mini donuts were consumed, and I laughed my abs sore all while radiating with love and gratefulness for this amazing group of friends! 

I came home to birthdays cards from my Aunt Holly, college roomie Oller, and my little Molly. 

Could this day get any better? Yup, I was headed to Hendersonville for my actual day of birth with my family!

Dad was the first one out the gate with surprises, new mats for the bug!!

Once Joe got home from work we had a yummy homemade dinner followed by the best birthday cake ever, southern style red velvet with cream cheese icing and it was MONOGRAMMED!

And that was all just on Saturday!!!

Sunday, my actual real birthday, I woke up to Sophie licking my face and dad with a coffee ready to hand me! A bottle of Bellini, lots of laughing with mom, and a couple packs of tissue paper destroyed by Sophie later I officially felt 24!

We laid low the rest of the morning [I may have taken a nap around noon] then headed downtown for a yummy lunch at Chuy's followed by more cake at home, Game of Thrones and Penny Dreadful. I finally headed back to my house wayy too late with a full heart and sleepy eye balls. 

I have a feeling 24 is going to be a very good year.

I have the best family a girl could ask for, some pretty amazing friends, and a job I love!

PaTTerN pLaY

Wednesday I posted about my love for JCrew's Linen-Cotton Mini [yes, the one with pockets] paired with a graphic t-shirt or tank. It has easily become my go-to outfit! Now that [I like to think] I've mastered this combo I've started to play with patterns. 

This has to be my absolute favorite combo so far!

I mean how can you go wrong with Lilly and JCrew?

And be sure to check out my tumblr, Monograms and Media, for all pattern pairing inspirations!

Friday 6/6: BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

A BBQ stain on her white t-shirt

These past couple weeks I've been trying my best to transition my closet over to summer without having to buy too many new pieces.

Every 20 something girls' greatest challenge.

Through this I have fallen in love with JCrew's elastic band skirts [they have pockets y'all] and a tshirt/summer sweater/tank.

My desk buddy Maggie does this better than anyone I know. 

She is the queen of a t-shirt over a maxi, tied over a flowy skirt, or with leggings.

So taking inspiration from her, here are some combinations I'm loving and hoping to slowly add to my closet [b u d g e t].

Short sleeve summer style by crpekarsk 

Oh, so this is that real life thing

Yesterday started out like any other Monday, and ended with margaritas and celebration.

In the world of media getting your first buy is huge.

I remember the night my Pigeon Forge buy went out like it was yesterday, it was for the smallest market in the campaign but it was a huge life moment in my book. 

Yesterday trumped that, by like a bajillion.

Yesterday I sent out my [first] buy [at Whitehardt] for my client [in the Nashville market, big time], had my review, and got my raise! An epic afternoon would be an understatement.

And what better way to celebrate than braving CMA traffic, driving to Hendersonville, and getting some good ole Mexican. I think the only people more excited than me are mom and dad!! 

So here's to a very good start to my last week of 23, my first buy of 2014, and media domination.

Weekend Recap: 5/31-6/1

This post is gonna be short and sweet, just like this weekend.

I started off the weekend by waking up in a panic that I hadn't set an alarm, getting dressed for work, getting downstairs and realizing it was Saturday...

I then proceeded to get back in pjs and sleep till 9am. #heaven

The rest of the day consisted of laundry [five loads], OnDemand, Publix, prepping cole slaw, and a quite lovely nap. On a last minute whim I drove out to Hendersonville for the season finale of DaVinci's Demons and a sleepover with Sophie.

Sunday I was up early for coffee in the garden room with mom and dad [and Sophie] followed by some gardening aka weeding. Then it was finally luau time with the media family!

We grilled, flip cupped, trivia'd, "gardened", and laughed a whole lot! 

After one of the best Sunday Fundays ever it was back to River Chase for a shower and quick nap before Game of Thrones and Penny Dreadful. And I must say, packing pjs to drive home in has to be one of my best ideas to date.

So cheers to a wonderful weekend and my last week being 23!