Weekend Recap: 1/30-1/31

I feel like I haven't done a weekend recap in ages, probably because I haven't. I won't lie, I mostly stopped doing them because I was posting one 99% of the time to make myself and my life look like I wanted it to. But this weekend I went outside of my comfort zone and did something to make that life I always wanted the life I was living.

Last week my little from Zeta, and now one of my best friends, Molly asked me if I wanted to run a 5K with her on Saturday. It was a late start race, 10am, and downtown so we could grab brunch after. I won't lie, I had been slacking on my fitness the past few weeks. Mr. Jonas was a great excuse to stay inside and crank the heat [and Netflix.] And I might have cried previously while running 3 miles BUT this was my chance to get out there and do it so I signed up. 

Fast forward to Saturday at 11am.

We killed it. And didn't kill ourselves in the process. [win, win]

Finished with a 9:39 pace and a sub 30 min 5K.

AND we made the executive decision, before the soreness hit us, to try and run a 5K every month.

Next up, the Chocolate Lover's Valentine's Day 5K.

You get hot chocolate at the end.... I mean how could we not?

So here's to a new race bib on my wall and new adventures to come in 2016!

Red Carpet Round-Up: The SAG Awards

Another weekend, another red carpet to judge. Coming to you, once again, sweatpant/5K t-shirt from this morning/no make-up clad from bed [Netflix in the background.] First of all, the SAG awards are highly underrated. These red carpet arrivals were fire. For the first time in a while I was digging more of the suits on the guys than the gowns on the girls. AND for the first time, I think ever, Sarah Hyland is not my favorite look of the night.

So, here we go

The deep purple and grey-ish blue floral print are absolutely gorgeous together. 

The combination of the coloring of the dress and her features/coloring is perfection. 

#timesIwishIwasblonde

No words. 

This dress is a show stopper. 

It weirdly reminds me of a Kim Kardashian-West look but minus the excessive cleavage and back side. 

Love it.

Once, again..can I be blonde? 

The pale pink color paired with the print that is oddly subtle but bold is a winner.

Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing dresses. 

However, would have loved it better as floor length vs tea-length. 

#youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwant

The neckline.

The color blocking.

The husband.

Simple for the win here.

The side slit paired with the classic sleeves and collar is gorgeous.

I'm also all for the keeping the shoes and bag simple so the dress can shine.

But hands down, absolute and utter perfection:

The Queen of Dragons herself. 

I bow down.

Five on [almost February] Friday

1.
This song is hot and the video is even hotter.
NSFW




2.
Grease LIVE! premieres Sunday on FOX. Set your DVR!

3.
I absolutely love Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. They are one of those celebrity couples you feel like you could double date and laugh your ass off with. Their vacation video from Africa is hilarious and precious all wrapped up in a five minute epic lip sync masterpiece.
#relationshipgoals



4.
My best friend/kick ass boss/mom extraordinaire Sara is back to blogging!!!
Check out The Heart of Life is Good!!

5.
I threw on New Music Friday this morning while getting ready and thank goodness I hadn't done mascara yet when this song came up. Charles Kelly of Lady A released his first solo single, Leaving Nashville and it is just so good. So good.

Friday 1/29

Thursday Trending

I am a lover of bright colors. Unfortunately neon is usually associated with summer, well, or temperatures above 12 degrees. While scrolling Tumblr last week I found the best of both worlds, neon work out attire. All the praise hands. And you'll never be hit by a car while running in a bright pink vest! 

Oh baby baby, it's a wild one

It blows my mind to think I started this crazy blogging adventure four years ago as a college senior. I hadn't sent out 25 resumes yet, hadn't landed and lost the "dream job," hadn't watched friends of mine find their person and start a family, hadn't bought a house, and hadn't moved across the state to start all over again where it all began. Thinking back on everything that's happened in the past four years makes me excited for what's to come in the next four years. Walking out of work tonight, after working late [with work packed up to finish from the couch], all I could think to myself was,

"This is it." 

This is what the 21 year old who started blogging had written about wanting, working at an amazing agency on accounts that keep me learning and wanting to do better with every buy. I had the amazing opportunity to speak to the Media 360 class at the University of Tennessee this week; and while I told them all about GRPs, CPPs, CPMs, and BRBs [just kidding] I also talked about clients and their crazy commercial ideas, professors who become life long friends, and most importantly how much I love what I do long nights and all. Yes, there are nights when you cry in the Q-tip aisle at Target but there are also nights when you finish a buy under budget and pass out before 9pm. Do I have hopes and goals for the future? Of course, who doesn't? But what I've learned is to have hopes and goals with an open mind. You never know what series of events could lead you to something great or something that will make for a really great story. 

Lately [January]

Watching: After 14 years, The X-Files have been re-opened!!!
Fox premiered the mini-series Sunday night with a two part special concluding Monday night and I already cannot wait for next week's episode. Joel McHale makes his network return as an alien obsessed TV personality who takes an interest in Scully. Oh and there's a girl with alien DNA. And Mulder is still on the eternal search for his sister. Buckle up!

Eating: Buffalo Pretzel Chips dipped in ranch, the perfect snack.

Smelling: The Pink Peony candles are back at Target!

Drinking: Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz wine.
I am usually not a fan of red wine but this should be bought in bulk and drank often. In the tub. Sara gave me a bottle [with the sweetest note written on it] as my going away/first day of work present. All the praise hands to her for introducing this goodness to my taste buds!

Wearing: OPI: My Gondola or Yours?

Reading: February's Harper's Bazaar.
I won't lie I bought it after seeing the amazing cover spread with Reese Witherspoon but the article with Milania Trump was awesome. Not only is she stunning but studied Architecture and Design at university and knows her politics.

Listening: Gold in the Sun- Young in the City
"God damn you were the gold in the sun"

Loving: Loreal's Voluminous Carbon Black mascara. I am a lashes girl all the way but I also love my snooze button. A couple swipes of this mascara and you've got fashion blogger lashes and still time to grab coffee on the way to work. 

Wanting: Every Valentine's Day decoration in Target's $1 Section. Who says you need a boyfriend on Valentine's Day to decorate your house with pink and red banners and candy hearts in vases?

5 on Friday

1.

This month marks 50 years of Southern Living Magazine! To celebrate, February's a double issue with the best of the best of the past 50 years. This will be a weekend afternoon read and a coffee table staple for sure. 

2.
Evelyn Henson is at it again with her precious free printables and downloads. Head on over to her website to download yours today!

3.
The 1975 released a new single this past week, The Sound, and it is a sound I could get used to. I cannot wait for their new album to finally come out so I can listen to their sound all the time.



4.
I had my first official Knoxville snow day on Wednesday and it was a winter wonderland indeed. Even though the office was technically closed the emails kept rolling in with the snow; however with a view like this how can you complain?

5.

As of Sunday at 8pm EST football season was officially over. While my Steelers didn't pull it out in the Mile High City they went farther than dad and I thought and put on a good show for three quarters. I love these guys no matter what. #blackandyellow #blackandyellow

Friday 1/22

Friday 1/15

Five on Friday

1.

I love a good magazine editorial. I have bought Redbook before because Lauren Conrad graced the cover. The same will probably be true this month with Harpers's Bazaar thanks to the Southern Queen Reese Witherspoon being on the cover.  The shoot was at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville and every picture is just stunning.

2.

Like most of America, I binge watched the Netlfix docu-series Making a Murderer this past weekend. There are ten hour long episodes that you can easily finish over a two day span [may one day if you're really feeling it and have no interest in leaving the house.] I'm glad I watched it when I did because it blew up this week, every time I scrolled Facebook or read The Skimm there were countless articles about Steven or Brendan or one of Steven's countless fiancees coming forward. I give it five stars and want five more episodes!

3.

Parks and Rec Season 7 is on Netflix!!!
My day isn't complete without at least three good Andy Dwyer lines.

4.

The final college football AP poll was released this week and I don't know about you but Tennessee's feeling #22!! #VFL #GBO

5.

Adele was the latest passenger in James Corden's Carpool Karaoke this week and it was EPIC.  The woman is equally talented as she is hilarious and gorgeous. I don't know what was better, Adele belting out Wannabe by Spice Girls or absolutely killing some Monster by Niki Minaj.
However, the best part was hands down Adele recounting a night she got a little wine wasted and woke up with an email address in her pocket of a family she met the night before who couldn't get tickets to her show in Nashville and she emailed them and got them in!

Red Carpet Round-up: The Golden Globes

Ah another awards season is upon us, another opportunity for me to sit in my mis-matched sweatpants with no make-up on eating left over Christmas cookies and critique other people's fashion choices. Let's begin.

First thought I immediately had, what is with all the white? I mean bless it, it was a like the security check line at P Diddy's white party. I really wasn't a fan of any of them to be honest. They were either not my taste or all or way too bridal for the Golden Globes.

Next, when did Felicity Huffman go brunette. And when is someone going to tell her she needs to go back blonde?

And did Wiz Khalifa even have a song nominated? Or did he just want to break out his high waters and some velvet loafers on a Sunday night? I feel you Wiz

Now that that's out of my system, for the good..here are my 2016 Golden Globes favorites

Beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning.

The gold is amazing and the side cut outs give it that something extra!

The shoes make this outfit, oh and that necklace

My "I'm weirdly liking this" look of the GG 2016

The neckline is hot and the dress is stunning. 

Her hair and this dress, stunning 

black and white simplistic perfection

Once again this orange >> and those side slits. Love it all.

I am a sucker for a simple black dress and a brunette with a red lip. My hands down favorite.

But my real questions is, where was my girl Sarah Hyland?! She has been my hands down favorite the past how many red carpets! 

Oh well, not a shabby way to kick off Awards [Red Carpet] season as I call it.

Friday 1/8

Lately [in 2016]

Watching: The Bachelor is back!

All you need to know is .."we already have a villain and she's named after a fabric"

Eating: T Marzetti's Southwest Ranch veggie dip and celery sticks. I'm addicted. 

Smelling: Target's Cozy Nights candle, this became one of my favorite scents last year. This line of candles is great 1. because they're only $10 and 2. it only takes about 15 minutes for the whole house to smell amazing and the aroma stays long after you blow it out.

Drinking: Peppermint tea all day every day. It's the perfect morning wake me up or 8pm Netflix and chill. 

Wearing: OPI: Guys and Galaxies

Reading: The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. The movie adaptation comes out next month, just in time for Valentine's Day, and I was instantly intrigued. I always love a good love story, especially when it's 36 degrees outside and you have a bed full of pillows.

Listening: The greatest thing Spotify ever did was create the algorithm for the Discover Weekly playlists. My playlist this week is the best it's been in a hot minute and I already have four songs added to my songs list from it. My current favorite right now is this track from BANNERS.

Loving: 2016. The first full week of this year has been full of new fun adventures and work days that leave me feeling fulfilled and successful. Oh and a wonderful new place to call home. 

Wanting: She Reads Truth's Lenten study book. Lent is a special time in my life each year and after reading the overview of this study I cannot wait to begin. Join me?

Happy New Year!

And what a happy new years it was!! 

I didn't have a New Years kiss, instead I got five huge hugs from girlfriends I was out with.

I didn't shut down the bar, instead I was in bed with fuzzy socks by 1am and got to talk to my family when they celebrated at midnight in Nashville. 

I didn't wear a Happy New Year crown, instead a simple black headband and simple black dress.

That's the motto of 2016: simple.

So without further adieu here are my 2016 New Year's Resolutions:

-Run: don't run to train for a half or a 5K, just run

-Spend more money on food and less on everything else

-Go to mass and more importantly be present at mass 

-Every week make a prayer list that can hang on the fridge so when I'm waiting on something to microwave or getting water in the morning I can take a moment and pray

-Go outside of my comfort zone to make things happen/change in my life

-Be a better friend, daughter, sister, co-worker

-Focus on appreciating being in the moment

-No cell phones when in mom and dad's house

Let's go 2016!