Lately: September

Reading:

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero

We got dad this book for Father's Day more than a couple years ago and he passed it back to me this past weekend. Roberto Clemente had such an impact on his life, I can't wait to read it.

Anxiety about Nothing 

This book has been all over my social media lately and I was so intrigued I put it on hold at Barnes and Noble this week. This will be a great balcony read when the fall weather rolls in.

Wearing:

After years of wearing foundation and battling skin problems, I have kept a strict "less is more" mindset.
Enter E.L.F.'s Blemish Control primer and Illuminating Mist and Set. 

I don't feel like I'm wearing a mask but I also don't look like I've been through hell and back by 2pm.

Watching:

Friends from College on Netflix.

With only eight episodes at 30 minutes long, this is an easy watch for more than one reason.

Listening:

Wild Cub's new album Closer on repeat.
This album is amazing and I cannot get enough. 

Celebrating:

Miss Lottie Gillem!!
50 days until this sweet pea joins the My Kind of Lovely girl gang.

Going:

Sam Hunt and Maren Morris this weekend with Sara and Ashley.

Then LANY and Ed Sheeran in the SAME week with Sara!
I cannot wait.
Amazing concerts with the best friends.

Five on Friday

1.

HAPPY ED SHEERAN DAY!!

Yes, the day has finally come, Divide is here!

And thank goodness because I was running out of versions of Shape of Me to listen to. 

2. 

March definitely came in like a lion with tornado sirens, flash flood alerts, and some Oz worthy winds. But at least your tech can look cute with Ashley Brooke's monthly lock screen!

3.

Everyone knows how much I love my main man Ed, but Lorde released new music this week too. Green Light had me car dancing, shower dancing, chair dancing, bed dancing, kitchen dancing... 

4. 

ICYMI: She Reads Truth's Lent study started on Monday.

Follow along online each day, you won't regret it! 

5.

The first Friday of Lent is here,  don't forget.. no meat! #fishsticks #cheesepizza #macandcheese

Lately: February

Listening:

Ryan Adams finally released Prisoner on Friday after months of teasing with singles.
My current favorite?  Shiver and Shake. But give me another day or so and it'll change.

Reading:
Ash Wednesday is right around the corner on March 1st and I still haven't decided what I'm giving up for Lent. However, I am all set with my study for the 40 days thanks to She Reads Truth's Lent 2017 "You are Mine"

Loving:
Dr Teal's Pink Himalayan Foaming Bath.
Heaven in a blue bottle.

Watching: 

Riverdale [The CW Thursday 9/8pm CST]
I stumbled upon this show looking for when Reign was coming back on the CW website a couple weeks ago. Four episodes later, I'm hooked.

Wearing:

Tory Burch "Love Relentlessly"

Eating:

If you're like me and crave a good burrito bowl but can't drop $8 at Chipotle let me tell you about Red's Burrito Bowls. Publix, frozen entree aisle, $4.00, 3:15 minutes, delicious.

Going:

Friday night I was lucky enough to see Maren Morris in concert downtown at the Bijou.
She is so little with such a BIG voice. She absolutely killed it and definitely took us to her church.

Counting down to:
The 2017 AAF Advertising Awards next weekend

Ed Sheeran's new album on March 3rd

Thomas Rhett concert on March 23rd

Five on Friday

1.

Ed Sheeran finally quit teasing and announced the release date for his third album this week. Only 49 more days until Divide comes out on March 3rd. Let the countdown [and stalking of tour dates] begin!

2.

The My Kind of Lovely semi annual sale started this week!!

There are so many amazing pieces included at prices you cannot beat. 

Take a look and get to ordering!

3.

While being home sick for two days this week I discovered two really great shows on Netflix that are 100% binge worthy: Medici, Masters of Florence and Versailles. Each are under 10 episodes and it's a good thing because you'll be hooked not even 5 minutes in.

4.

ICYMI: Ashley Brooke Designs has the cutest calendar print for January.

Download it [and all her others] here.

5.

DIVISONAL playoff weekend is here!

#HereWeGo

#blackandyellow

5 on [a Knoxville] Friday

1.

It is officially desk calendar season, y'all. I swear I got three emails about calendar releases in one afternoon this week. I love love my Sweet Caroline Designs desk calendar but now there are just so many options, I don't know. One of my long time favorites Ashley Brooke Designs released her first ever limited edition desk calendar this week and it just might take the cake for me. 

2.

In addition to the dozen desk calendar releases this week, the holiday gift guides are flowing in. SummerWind debuted her's on the the blog this week and Tory Burch released her's earlier this week. To. Die. For. 

3.

There have been new music releases galore lately. You've got new All American Rejects, new Ellie Goulding, and most importantly new Ed Sheeran. Once again, it's a collaboration but it's just so good I can handle Ed sharing air time. 

4.
I can finally check another item off my 25 Before 25 bucket list this weekend! Even thought the forecast is rain I cannot wait for the Tennessee v South Carolina game this weekend. Let's win out the season and go bowling boys!

5.
One of my favorite parts of blogging is connecting with other bloggers across the country. I feel like I know everyone through their blogs and Instagram pictures. I finally got to meet one half of my favorite blogger bestie duo My Kind of Lovely. They just opened their newest location in The Southern Market in Knoxville and it is on a whole new level of cute [those ornament letters >]. Caroline and Katie are true #squadgoals and if you're not following them Peach Love Travel Bug and Pearls & Twirls you should be! And be sure to follow My Kind of Lovely too.

Five on [thank you Lawd] Friday

1.

New Ed Sheeran, I repeat, New Ed Sheeran.

Well..technically it's new Tori Kelly but Ed wrote the song and appears on it.

No surprise, the song is beautiful and one of my new favorites.

2.
I am a sucker for a well decorated planner. And lucky for me, Ban.do's new arrivals are exactly what every detailed oriented 20-something needs. I am obsessed with their sticker book, I Am Very Busy file folders, and I Did My Best notebook.

3.
Wednesday, I had the great honor of making a day trip to Knoxville to speak to the newest crop of Advertising students about to graduate from THE University of Tennessee School of Ad and PR. It is always a good day when you spend it in the shadow of Neyland Stadium.

4.

Thursday has now become my favorite night of TV thanks to Rookie Blue [ABC 9pm CST] being back for its summer season. 

5.

Next Friday we will all be off work and planning out our red, white, and blue for the weekend! 

We keep this love in a photograph

I was worse than a kid on Christmas morning Saturday. 

Why?

IT WAS FINALLY ED SHEERAN DAY!!

What's better than seeing one of your absolute favorite artists with your best friend?

Um, getting mexican [and margs]/catching the first part of the Tennessee game at Honky Tonk/laughing so hard your abs are still sore on Monday/taking your shoes off and dancing to every song?

YUP. 

Pretty much.

 Ed Sheeran is one of the most incredible performers.

The man sounds absolutely AMAZING live. 

Sara and I talked about it the entire walk back to my house and still could not get over it Sunday.

The stage was simply Ed and his guitar and I didn't want it to ever end.

We sang and danced and bonded with the 15 year old best friends sitting next to us.

It really was one of the best nights ever with one of the best friends ever.

This real life thing is hard; and when work and life takes over you don't get to see your best friend as much as you'd like to.

Saturday I was reminded how lucky Sara and I are to have each other and as strong of a friendship as we do. 

We keep this love in a photograph

We make these memories for ourselves

Where our eyes were never closing

Hearts were never broken

And time's forever frozen still 

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..

Let the blue skies go to your head

   It's like every K-5 hallway art display says, March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. And thank the good lord this month is on the way out. That means Maroon 5 concert next weekend, Easter and GAME OF THRONES the weekend after that, Lent is over SONIC ZAXBYS FIREHOUSE TACO BELL CHIPOTLE, and 65 degrees and up baby. The drive home Friday was glorious not only because it was Friday but because I did it with Ray Bans on and windows down. So this week's 10 Things are all about cruising with your windows on automatic roll down. And lucky you, I even put together a Spotify playlist with all these melodies on it, linked at the bottom of the page. Now turn it up!

10 Things [songs]... to listen to with your windows down and the wind in your hair

1. Love in a College Town- Luke Bryan 

2. Inside Out- Love and Theft

3. American- Lana Del Ray

4. Cinema- Benny Benassi

5. Bigger than my Body- John Mayer

6. All Summer Long- Kid Rock

7. What You Know about Little Secrets- The White Panda

8. Lucky Strike- Maroon 5

9. Drunk- Ed Sheeran

10. Fly Again- Kip Moore

Windows Down- Pekarsk-ing Around

I'm bout to back it up

I swore to the good Lord I would never go back to a ginger... 

But damn Ed Sheeran you make me fall in love with you a little more with every tweet/Instagram caption and now this. 

I like you way you work it tattoo'd ginger boy.

Cause you are my one and only, you can wrap your fingers round my thumb and hold me

   If you follow me on Instagram which you should, cpekarsk you know that I now know 7 places to met someone other than a bar. My mom is crazy but she loves me. And just wants me to finally have what I've wanted my whole life, someone to love and love me. 

   I don't know if Ed Sheeran wrote this song himself, but if he did I"m hoping he did whoever you are who loves Shrek, you are one very lucky and loved girl. I give you the sweetest song lyrics pretty much ever.

I should ink my skin with your name

And take my passport out again

And just replace it

See I could do without a tan

On my left hand,

Where my fourth finger meets my knuckle

And I should run you a hot bath

Fill it up with bubbles

'Cause maybe you're loveable

And maybe you're my snowflake

And your eyes turn from green to gray

In the winter I'll hold you in a cold place

And you should never cut your hair

'Cause I love the way you flick it off your shoulder

And you will never know

Just how beautiful you are to me

But maybe I'm just in love

When you wake me up

And would you ever feel guilty if you did the same to me?

Could you make me a cup of tea

To open my eyes in the right way

And I know you love Shrek

‘Cause we've watched it 12 times

But maybe you're hoping for a fairy tale too

And if your DVD breaks today

You shoulda got a VCR

Because I've never owned a Blue ray, true say

And now I always been shit at computer games

Because your brother always beats me

And if I lost, I’d go across and chuck all the controllers at the TV

And then you’d laugh at me

And be asking me

If I'm gonna be home next week

And then you lie with me 'till I fall asleep

And flutter eyelash on my cheek between the sheets

And you will never know

Just how beautiful you are to me

But maybe I'm just in love

When you wake me up

And I think you hate the smell of smoke

You always try and get me to stop

You drink as much as me

And I get drunk a lot

So I take you to the beach

And walk along the sand

And I'll make you a heart pendant

With a pebble held in my hand

And I'll carve it like a necklace

So the heart falls where your chest is

And now a piece of me is a piece of the beach

And it falls just where it needs to be

And rests peacefully

So you just need to breathe to feel my heart against yours now

Against yours now

‘Cause maybe I'm just in love when you wake me up

Or maybe I'm just in love when you wake me up

Maybe I fell in love when you woke me up

#WakeMeUp @edsheeran

All I want is the taste that your lips allow

   It has been said before by the truest Southern gentlemen of them all, Rhett Butler, that a woman should be kissed "often and by someone who knows how." So boys, jump on it. I get ahead of myself..
   As many of you know, yesterday was All Hallows Eve and between blasting Thriller from my office and material deadlines #mediaplannerproblems I failed to give you a Wordy Wednesday. So I'm here with something even better, Tune Thursday. Last week I gave in and spotlighted the one person in the world who doesn't need any more attention right now, Taylor Swift. This weeks selection stems from the album RED as well if you stop reading now I understand He has a duet with her on the track Everything Has Changed and is her guest of honor on her RED tour this coming year. Blogosphere, I give you Ed Sheeran. You might know him from his current single The A Team. His album is so much more than that. I am currently obsessed with at least half the tracks. Which is good, because I needed to give the hallway a break from T-Swift. Oh right, so back to the kissing. There is a list of 5 solid kiss fantasies every girl hopes to one day experience and then retell for the rest of her life. 

1. The run across the airport to the love of your life and have the passionate head turning making the baggage claim sirens go off kiss.

2. The fighting in the rain "The Notebook" kiss OR kissing in the rain period.  

3. The perfect outfit perfect day hand holding his arm around your back your hand on his face this would only happen on The Hills kiss. 

4. The foot pop kiss.

5. The kiss with a dip.

Now, I don't know the rules on these kisses. You might only get one a lifetime. But I do know one thing, Ed Sheeran's Kiss Me makes me think back and smile on the incredible kisses I've had in my short life and look forward to the ones to come. It's the exact reason why my parents always do the dishes together, sneaking kisses yeah I can see you from the couch. 

"Yeah I've been feeling everything. From hate to love. From love to lust. From lust to truth. I guess that's how I know you. So kiss me like you wanna be loved."