Five on Friday

1. 

Evelyn Henson released her fall downloads today and I cannot pick a favorite.

They are all so cute and have me in the fall/Halloween spirit!

2.

While it may be bye week here in Knoxville, I am always planning my next game day outfit. 

My Kind of Lovely is running all game day attire 50% off in-store! I absolutely love this fun shoulder top for only $17! 

3.

We checked another concert off our 2017 Concert World Tour list last night.

LANY, you are INCREDIBLE. 

Next up Ed Sheeran and SURPRISE...The Maine!!! 

Sara successfully kept the secret and surprised me with tickets as an early Christmas present!

4. 

Riff Raff's Halloween shop is now shipping! I am personally obsessed with the Hocus Pocus t-shirt.

#amuckamuckamuck

5.

ICYMI: Maren Morris released her incredible single Dear Hate this week. 

No words. I love her.

Lately: August

The past two weeks have been a blur of celebrations, Sunday night drives back to Knoxville, laughter, and a very full heart!

Listening:

Another Friday, another Thomas Rhett song!!

Each song becomes my new favorite and Grave is SO good.

Running:

Third 5K back since my half marathon in April and I am happy to say my black toe is back along with my sub 27 time. With cooler weather hopefully coming looking to finish out the year with a 5K a month. 

Opening:

MY KIND OF LOVELY KNOXVILLE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!

Tuesday we opened the doors for the first time and it has not slowed down since. 

Heading into Bid Day week hot!

Celebrating:

Warren turned TWO and we PAW-ty'd it up!!

I have never laughed so hard or felt so much love in one room!

It still blows my mind he's two and my best friend is a super mom!

Going:

Sara and I continued our concert tour of 2017 with Dashboard Confessional, All American Rejects, AND The Maine last Saturday night in Nashville and it was incredible. 

Tyson Ritter is hilarious, Dashboard encored with Hands Down, and The Maine will have my heart forever.  Next up: Sam Hunt and Maren Morris!

Counting Down To:

Caroline's baby shower next weekend

Mom's birthday

Sam Hunt and Maren Morris

FOOTBALL!

Five on Friday

1.

Thomas Rhett released another single off his upcoming album Life Changes and no surprise here, it's so good. I cannot wait for the full album to come out next month! 

2.

SAVE THE DATE: My Kind of Lovely's Knoxville store opens next Tuesday August 15th!

3.
If you want to get some shopping in before next Tuesday, new MuMu and game day hit the website this week. Fair Warning, you are going to want it all.

4.

Steeler football is unofficially officially back with the first pre-season game tonight against the Giants!

#blackandyellow

5.

NINE years ago this summer Sara and I discovered The Maine.

Saturday we'll get to see them for the second time this year and I cannot wait. 

Five on Friday

1.

ICYMI: Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren have teamed up with one of my favorite Nashville brands, Project 615, to design the limited edition "Home Team" t-shirt! All profits will benefit the non-profit 147 Million Orphans! Hurry up and order one today before they're gone!

2.

The weekend has FINALLY come for The Maine concert! 

I have been closely watching every Snapchat/Instagram story they've posted so far this tour to piece together the set list. Excited is an understatement!

3.

Speaking of The Maine...I've been listening to one of their openers the Orphan, the Poet this week getting ready for Saturday night and they're amazing! 

4.

The Penguins finally closed out the series against the Blue Jackets and are headed to round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs! 

5.

ONE WEEK until I am Nashville bound to pick up my race packet! 

Five on Friday

1. 

What could be better than new music from one of your favorite artists on a Friday?

New music that features two of your favorite artists on a Friday!

Craving You with Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris is out today!!

2.

Happy #nationalstripesday from JCrew!
You know you're truly an iconic brand when you can create your own holiday.
I, for one, am all for this. Stripes are like denim, they go with everything.

3.
Exactly one week until The Maine drops their new album; but lucky you another sneak peek of a track released this week. I already love Do You Remember? and cannot wait to finally hear ALL the tracks April 7th!
[tour tickets are already on sale btw]



4.
Evelyn Henson's new Spring collection launches Monday!
Prints, notebooks, mugs, phone cases, and free downloads are all coming your way.
Be sure to sign up for her mailing list to get first dibs!

5.
29 days until 13.1
Lord help us all [and my knees]

Five on Friday

1. 

The Maine released the music video for their single Bad Behavior this week.

Now I really can't wait for the full album to come out on April 7th!

2.
ICYMI: Big Little Lies premiered on HBO this past weekend.
I am furiously trying to finish the book before I watch any of the show, so keep the spoilers to yourself!

3.
March is right around the corner or should I say weekend.
Get your tech ready with this cute calendar wallpaper from Evelyn Henson!

4.
Ash Wednesday is next week.
Lent is always a great time to re-set and re-focus!

5.
The ADDYs are this weekend.
Advertising prom here we come!

Five on Friday

Occasionally I get on a music kick and find a really great mix of songs that can get me through the work day, a workout, a shower, or simply driving to Publix. These five songs are a combination of covers, new releases, and some good finds. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have the past couple weeks. 

If you've got a song you're loving leave it in the comments!

1.

Body Like a Back Road- Sam Hunt

2.

We Do- LANco

3.

Somebody Else- VERITE

4.

Don't Give Up on "Us"- The Maine



5.
Doomsday- Ryan Adams

Lately: January

Listening:

One of my favorite bands The Maine released new music for the first time in two years. To say I was anxious to hear it was an understatement. However they did not disappoint and Bad Behavior was everything I had hoped for, very reminiscent of their first album. Only 75 more days until Lovely, Little, Lonely is released in its entirety... not like I'm not counting down or anything. 

Reading:
Lilly: Palm Beach, Tropical Glamour, and the Birth of a Fashion Legend. -Kathryn Livington
I am a huge lover of Lilly Pulitzer, her bold prints make any day a little more colorful and full of life.
I had heard her biography was a really good read so I took advantage of a Barnes & Noble coupon I had been holding on to and ordered it. I'm only a couple chapters in but am already loving learning more about the lady behind the brand I love. 

Watching:
The Tudors
I am not a huge history buff but this series piqued my interest when I was sick a couple weeks ago. Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as Henry VIII and it explores all his conquests both in and out of the bedroom. All four seasons are on Netflix so you can binge uninterrupted.

Smelling:
While it might be the middle of January I am still burning my Gingerbread House candle from Target. The scent is the perfect subtle scent but fills up the apartment with a warm aroma. I figure by the time this candle burns out it will be time to break out the peony candle for spring!

Wearing:
OPI "Never Have Too Mani Friends!"
After rocking some light nails for NYE back to my staple black.

Drinking:

Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus

Yes, I was skeptical of a flavored beer too but we had it at the beach this summer and it was actually really good! I've had it the past two weeks during the Steeler game and now it's part of my playoff superstition. #herewego

Lusting Over:

Ivanka Trump's style from Inauguration week.
Every single one of her outfits was stunning. I saw someone tweet she is the American equivalent of Kate Middleton and I couldn't agree more.

Counting down to:

Maren Morris in Knoxville

The ADDY's

A long weekend home

Five on Friday

1.

The Maine finally released Covers Side B this morning and thanks to the insane thunder this morning I got a first listen at 3am. This time around we've got Drake, Rihanna, and wait for it... Shania Twain.

2.

As of yesterday, my first 10 mile week of the summer- DONE!

3.

ICYMI: yesterday was #NationalPinkDay so it was the perfect afternoon to try the infamous "secret menu" #pinkdrink at Starbucks. And I must say, it is worth the hype.

Strawberry Acai Refresher, Coconut milk, and strawberries >

4.

The Shallows comes out today! While I cannot wait to see Blake Lively be a total boss in her itty bitty bikini, think I might have to wait to watch after our beach trip next week.

5.

ONE WEEK until VACA!!!!!!!

Confetti for the Gathering

I fell in love with the band The Maine the summer before college, #summer08. Their album Can't Stop Won't Stop was the staple CD in my car and still lives in my glovebox to this day. 

They released their latest album American Candy last spring and was easily one of the most played playlists on my Spotify. One of the tracks I really grew to love was Am I Pretty. Your feet immediately start moving after the first cord, the words are catchy and easy to sing along to, especially with the windows down. 

This morning the video for the track was released and I now love The Maine more than ever. 

I had heard the lead singer talk about the meaning behind the track 24 Floors and depression but I never realized the meaning behind the words of Am I Pretty until five seconds into the video this morning. It's absolutely beautiful. I think John's quote introducing the video sums it up perfectly:

"You are beautiful because your eyes are different sizes and your lisp gets in between your tongue and teeth every time you try to say "something". You are beautiful because the scar under your chin looks like a spider and because you have a massive fear of heights. You are beautiful because there never has been, nor will there every be anyone else on this Earth like you. Because your flaws are like fingerprints and should be embraced just like the free will that resides inside. You are not beautiful because of the symmetry in the little squares on your telephone, you are beautiful because "you" are the only "you" this place will ever know."

-John C. O'Callaghan V.

There's beauty and grace in the flaws of your face

Musiccc, makes the people, come together

You've probably seen Spotify's Year in Music link floating around on Facebook the past couple weeks; well last night I had a few minutes to play around with the feature and it is awesome. 

You never really realize songs you fixate on or how different albums you listen to define seasons of your life or in this case your year.

I kicked off 2015 with No Rest for the Wicked by Lykke Li

As much as I love this song it didn't make my top 5 tracks of the year.
Those five coveted spots went to:
XO by John Mayer



Can't Pretend by Tom Odell

[sorry not sorry?]

First Defeat by Noah Gundersen



Speaking of Truth by Laleh



GDFR- FloRida [the greatest hill running song ever]



Two of those songs came from two of my top five artists of the year:
The Maine
Noah Gundersen
Tom Odell
Hozier
One Direction

Yup, One Direction. #noshame

And three of those five artists had one of my favorite albums of the year:
The Maine- American Candy



Long Way Down- Tom Odell



Greatest Hits- David Gray



Carry the Ghost- Noah Gundersen



Life Imitating Life- Augustana



All in all I listened to 108 THOUSAND minutes of music or 75 DAYS.
5,803 tracks and 2,572 artists made up the soundtrack to my year.
Is there any wonder why I post about songs and music so much?

Here's to another year of songs on repeat, playlists you never have to skip a song on, and lots more hills to run.


explore your #spotifyyearinmusic to unlock your Top Tracks of 2015 playlist, I've had mine bumpin all morning

Five on [the last] Friday [before Christmas]

1.

The fabulous Courtney Kerr turned 34 yesterday and shared 34 things she's learned along the way in life. They are all wonderful and if you don't subscribe to her blog What Courtney Wore you should! 

Prayer works miracles and is powerful.

Beauty rest is a real thing. I sleep almost 10 hours a night!

Money is better spent on a good skincare regimen than a pair of shoes.

Red lipstick can change your entire mood.

Listen twice and speak once.  We’ve got 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.

Check out her other 29 life lessons here. 

2.

Earlier this week I blogged about The Maine releasing a cover of You Get What You Give and mentioned the upcoming release of their EP Covers Side A.  Well today is the day!! All the tracks are amazing, no surprise there. But I am personally still having a 90s white girl moment that they covered Backstreet Boys.

3.

I've mentioned how much I love the Southern Weddings website and products here before but they have so many hidden gems even us single girls can appreciate. This week my discovery was their Southern Newlywed At Home profiles!! These houses and decor are incredible, so many great decorating ideas. 

4.

Thanks to the awesome Sara Matthews I got to try Rocksbox for free! This is like Birchbox for the jewelry obsessed. After taking a short survey about my personal style and what events I'd like to be styled for, aka work or weekends or fun, I got to build my wish list from amazing designers like Kendra Scott and Loren Hope. You get three pieces a month can even add to your wish list via Instagram. I can't wait for my box to arrive next week. 

5.

There is a new royal family picture, just released this morning!
I mean how beautiful is this family? I just love them.

ONE WEEK TILL CHRISTMAS!!
And don't forget to send off some Christmas cheer to Safyre Terry if you haven't yet!

Lately [in December]

Watching: One of my all time favorite movies is Independence Day. I mean it doesn't get much better than a shirtless Will Smith dragging an alien across the desert OR Uncle Eddie saving the day and taking out the aliens. Wait for it... they're making a second Independence Day! Yes, you read that right. Independence Day: Resurgence comes out next June. Check out the awesome trailer here.

Eating: If you live in Knoxville you must must go to Sweet Pea's BBQ on Jackson Ave downtown. Their brisket and BBQ sauces are mouth watering. Literally, was craving it at the office Sunday afternoon. 

Smelling: I absolutely loved Tory Burch's first fragrance, it's definitely an everyday scent. And just in time for Christmas her new scent, Tory Burch Absolu Eau. It smells divine. Santa baby..

Drinking: Another day another La Croix flavor. This week, Passion Fruit.

Wearing: OPI: Got the Blues for Red

Reading: Christmas cards!!

Listening: The Maine has been releasing covers of classic songs on YouTube every week and finally released one on Spotify last week! I have loved this 90s song since my middle schools days [mix CD, what up] and now I love it even more.

Loving: Driving home each night and seeing all the Christmas lights and tons of Christmas cheer around town! The office is swimming in Christmas packages and cards and decorations and I could not love it any more.

Wanting: Everything on Brittany Fuson's 12 Days of Christmas list. One of Brittany's personal favorites on sale each day. Don't miss out on all these pretties!

Lately 12/3

Gifting: Gifts get trickier the older you get. Everyone has bills and expenses but you still want to get in the Santa spirit. Bottles of wine or champagne with a cute stopper are always a great go-to gift! Target has all their $3 ornaments out and you can't go wrong with an initial ornament. I've learned as you get older, just being with friends is the greatest gift of all! 

Reading: She Reads Truth's Advent: Born is the King plan.
"Being born isn’t what made Him a King. The Prince of Peace made Himself low, taking on flesh to be Immanuel, "God with us."

Loving: My advent calendar from mom! It is the perfect end to my day and the perfect countdown to heading home for Christmas!

Watching: I am finally catching up on AHS: Hotel. I was about five episodes behind when it was announced this week's episode would reveal The Ten Commandments Killer so I had to get my butt in gear and catch up! FOMO took over hard core. 

Drinking: The snowflake might have gone off in my car on the drive to work yesterday but I am all about a good iced coffee these days. Some mornings you need something to quench your thirst and get you going at the same time. And I wouldn't recommend chugging a hot coffee before a 9am meeting. 

Eating: Publix's Organic Pizzas were 2 for $10 this past week and let me tell you the veggie is so good. And for all us single ladies out there, one pizza makes dinner for two nights! #winning

Listening: Cue the Christmas playlists, it's officially December! There are a ton of Christmas albums out there by lots of artists I love BUT The Maine's And a Happy New Year is my hands down favorite. Ho Ho Hopefully is a go-to of mine year round, no shame.

Love from Maine

Last night pretty much my favorite band ever, The Maine, was in town so in honor of that I listened to their entire library all day. Right Girl [acoustic] will always be my favorite, that Catholic girl shout out has my heart. But yesterday I found a close second, Good Love. 

I feel like these lyrics have been written on my heart the past couple months.

Eight years later and these boys are still singing the soundtrack to my life.

Tossing coins down the wishing well,

Don't fall in now, it leads straight to Hell,

I need you closer, need you beside me,

Good Love will find me, Good Love will find me,

The coffee's cold and it still works cold,

So do the highs but you always end up alone,

So no more lying and no more fighting,

Good Love will find me, Good Love will find me,

Tossing coins down the wishing well,

Don't fall in now, it leads straight to Hell,

I see the fire, it's almost blinding,

Come out and find me, come out and find me,

So fuck your coins and I wish you well,

(Ahhh it feels good, don't it?)

Good Love will find me, Good Love will find me

Good love will find me.