{the weekend ahead}
Oh the glorious three-day weekends. Memorial Day weekend in particular holds a special place in my heart, since three years ago this weekend I married my high school sweetheart. Last year we celebrated with a weekend getaway to Kansas City; this year we’re celebrating by enjoying a weekend in our new HOME. Even though I am always full of wanderlust and several months ago had grand plans of going to Washington D.C. for Memorial Day weekend, I’m oh so content just staying home with my love.
My T O – D O L I S T for the weekend:
Set up our ping-pong table for our impending summer tournaments.
Make these drool-inducing Lime-A-Rita Pops.
Hang photos – in our bedroom, entryway, living room, etc.
Finish my latest read, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.
Familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood on a long walk with pup.
Catch up on Game of Thrones.
Find our mailbox. (Seriously, this is a legitimate task)
Sleep in, X3.
Go on a stock-up trip to Walmart to fill our new refrigerator and pantry.
Take a bath in our oversized tub catching up on my magazines.
Visit one of our favorite breweries for an afternoon of sipping and relaxing.
xo xo
{inspiration} Home Decor
As stated previously, I am now a homeowner, which means I am also now an interior designer, and where else do homeowners/interior designers find inspiration, but on Pinterest?
Follow my inspiration below. xo xo
{absolutely need these}
{stunning doors}
{love how rustic chic this is}
{organization – I need more in my life}
{in love with mirrored furniture}
{this would make my mornings so much easier}
{gold, gold gold}
{beautiful mirror gallery}
{april showers bring may flowers}
What I’ve Learned From Being a Homeowner in the First 7 Days
It’s an amazing, incredible, tumultuous, life-changing thing.
But let me back up first … we bought our first house!! It’s really amazing how mysteriously and perfectly God works. We had not planned on looking for a house at this time, but due to unforseen circumstances we began the search. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you the house we purchased is the very first house we looked at. Husband and I are opposites in a lot of ways, but we’re also alike in a lot of ways and one of those is our taste in design/decor/clothing, etc.
We had decided on a price range and several neighborhoods to look at, so one day we went driving around simply “window shopping” with mom. We ended up touring one house and loving the style, but it was out of budget and bigger than what we were looking for, so the realtor told us the house next door was just about to go on the market. We went in and it was literally love at first sight. It was the perfect size to grow into (4 bedrooms), a large backyard for our dog, open concept, hardwood floors, wrap-around porch, basically it couldn’t get any better than this.
The same time we were starting the house search, we were also exploring some other career opportunities that would take us out of state. You know those times when God is very clearly closing one door and opening another? This was one of those times. I truly believe the timing was not accidental and God was clearly telling us where he wants us for now. How awesome is it to have a God like that??
{our perfect home!}
{first meal in our new house}
{sneak peek of what will most definitely be one of our favorite rooms}
{lounging on the porch watching the sunset}
7 things I’ve learned in my short time of being a new homeowner ….
1. The budget is in full effect. Being a homeowner is anything but cheap.
2. That feeling of coming home, to YOUR home, is indescribable.
3. For the first time in my life, I’m not thinking about spending money on clothes, but on furniture and decor.
4. Buying a home isn’t just about the home, but the surroundings – where’s the closest Walmart, what’s our new go-to fast food place, how long will it take me to get to work, etc.
5. The little things are ridiculously exciting, like having a garage to park in or hanging a photo in the perfect spot.
6. There’s no shame in stealing decorating or organizational ideas from Pinterest.
7. I officially feel like an adult – mortgages, mowing the lawn on saturdays and spending a paycheck on a refrigerator will do that to a person.
xo xo
life lately, stress + prayer
Hello luvvys, it’s been a while. I’ve missed blogging and my creative outlet. It’s been a whirlwind here as of late, more so than usual, and there’s really not an end in sight until June. Sigh. The busy-ness has been some exciting things (to announce soon), some monotonous things, some fun things, some work things, some of which you’ll see below.
I’m struggling with how to process everything. I’ve always been prone to stress. I often blow things out of proportion and focus on the negatives, not seeing the positive and not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I see the present and the present is stressful. I’m constantly looking for ways to de-stress – reading, walking, baths, ice cream – but none of them are long-term solutions. I always wonder if I’m just meant to stress. If it’s a personality trait like being persuasive, considerate or outspoken. Husband is the opposite and doesn’t understand stress, doesn’t understand how I can let it affect my sleep or my eating or my weekend.
I know deep down that the key is prayer. I think it’s being so connected to the Holy Spirit throughout the day that He’s constantly giving you exactly what you need in that moment – peace, joy, faith. “Pray without ceasing.” He is the only thing that can calm you when everything around you is a storm. Everything else is temporary. Everything else will fade away. But He is always there.
I know this, but it’s so hard to put into practice, and I’m really struggling right now. I’m writing this really for me as a reminder, in what sometimes feels like a diary in which I give away the key to anyone who asks, and as an open prayer.
I hope to keep my blogging consistent over the next few weeks, sharing updates and inspirations, but I’m not sure I can keep that promise. For now, here are a few photos of my life lately.
{celebrating // Easter with my beautiful family on Mount Sequoyah}
{reading // like crazy, review post to come soon}
{loving // these glasses for my vision center photoshoot}
{enjoying // a perfect evening on the Bentonville square with friends}
{remembering // my dad’s birthday}
{working // the sustainability expo with 4 of my Walmart Moms}
{celebrating // this bride-to-be getting married in 7 weeks}
{drinking // craft beer at foamfest with these boys}
xo xo
{spring things}
{pretty in pink mani}
{pink lemonade margaritas}
{colorful minis + windblown hair}
{breathtaking sunsets}
{patio living}
{inspiration}
{farmers market flowers}
{long walks with pup}
{outdoor brunch}
xo xo
derby daze
Friday night we went to the ArtInfusion Derby Party at Crystal Bridges. After our trip to the races a few weekends ago and this weekend being the Arkansas Derby, we were all in.
As Lorelai from Gilmore Girls says, “I’ll do just about anything if I can buy an outfit.” So that I did. I found a fascinator at Dillards (which, by the way, I didn’t even know what a fascinator was then I saw photos of Kate and Pippa wearing them and I knew that’s what I wanted instead of a hat) and a bowtie for husband to match his salmon pants (perfect for the occasion, right??).
Enjoy some photos below from our “night at the derby”! xo xo
{obligatory pre-party selfie}
{first round of mint juleps – cheers!}
{love, love, love this photo!}
{the girls and the boys}
{the second round of mint juleps}
{the amazing tour guide, featured: Boy Leading a Horse, Picasso}
{look who we found heading to the after-party}
{after-party with penguins at 21c}
{what a terrific evening with these party people!}
Book Reviews: Short Stories, Love Stories + Horror Stories
I have officially woken from my no-reading slumber. As I’ve said previously I get into habits where I either binge-watch or binge-read. I’m currently in the binge-reading. There have been a few factors contributing to this, one being that husband and I have made a “no more TV after 9pm” rule. (This rule was put in place due to some serious Homeland-bingeing.) Another factor was mom gave me a perfect book to start off my reading list …
Wonder – This book is it’s title, a wonder. I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. I cried a lot more. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but just go read it. The ending is really perfect and will re-invigorate your faith in humanity.
Grade: A
Grade: A+
Grade: A
Final Grade: B-
my wednesdays.
Can I let you in a little secret? I secretly LOVE Wednesdays, and probably not for the reasons you may love Wednesdays.
Wednesdays are my night to do exactly as I wish. We’re always busy throughout the week with various things, but there’s one night I can always count on to relax and rejuvenate. Husband doesn’t come home until late, after teaching karate, so I get to spend the time with no one to answer to except myself.
My Wednesday evenings usually look fairly similar, with tonight being a prime example:
Go on a R U N*
{mindlessly blaring Queen Bey}
B L O G
{unfortunately one of the only days during the week I seem to find time to do so}
Pick-up an easy dinner and my favorite W I N E
{preferably sushi and a good cabernet}
R E L A X on the couch and catch up on my magazines + girly TV shows
{currently consisting of Pretty Little Liars, Nashville and Revenge}
Retire to bed early, with time to R E A D
{new post coming soon about my books of late}
*new addition with the beautiful weather and renewed sense of fitness
It does vary a bit each week, like next week I’m hosting a girls happy hour, and sometimes I get the urge to cook so I’ll spend my time grocery shopping and preparing a late dinner for when husband gets home.
Pretty simple, right? I don’t need much to rejuvenate, but I do need alone time – something I’ve learned means I’m actually an introvert, not an extrovert as I would have previously thought. Oh, and wine … wine is always good. (says mille davis and olivia pope)
Happy Wednesday! xo xo
Lent Update: Thankful + My Sweet Tooth
Lent is a little more than halfway over so I thought it was about time to give an update on my challenges. I’ve done poorly in one and very well in another … can you guess which is which??
Surprisingly, I’ve done poorly in something I thought would be so easy, too easy – taking a photo every day of something I’m thankful for. At first, it was a fun challenge, but now it’s gotten harder and I’m getting lazier. It’s not that I’m not thankful for so many things, but it’s often hard to capture that in a photo in the moment. I have my good days and my bad days of remembering. But overall it’s definitely served it’s purpose – reminding me to recognize the small things in my everyday life that I have to be thankful for. My last post showed days 5-13, below are days 14-24.
{Day 14: I’m thankful for Spring so I can wear peep-toe wedges and bright polish! #lent #40daychallenge#springishere #shoelove}
{Day 15: I’m thankful for large Diet Coke Fridays – something I’m allowing myself only once a week these days! #lent #40daychallenge #dietcokeobsession #tgif}
{Day 17: I’m so thankful for this gorgeous guy I get to call my husband {all day and every day, but specifically thinking about him today} ❤️ #lent #40daychallenge#mcm #aruba #honeymoon #throwback}
{Day 19: I’m thankful for amazing opportunities to experience art at a world class museum in my little hometown. #lent #40daychallenge #modernism#crystalbridges #picasso #matisse}
{Day 22: I’m thankful for this beauty on our mini spring break getaway. #lent #40daychallenge #hotsprings#sunset #lakehamilton}
{Day 23: I’m thankful for the little moments that make me happy. #lent #40daychallenge}
{Day 24: I’m thankful for a new month and a fresh beginning. #lent #40daychallenge}
As for this infamous sweet tooth – it’s killing me! So, when I first started this no desserts for Lent journey it was very hard. I was going through withdrawal symptoms daily. Then after about a week or so, they went away. I’d practically forgotten about desserts and how amazing they taste. I sighed with relief at how easy the rest of Lent was going to be. Then there’s been the last week or so and it.has.been.torture! The purpose of fasting for Lent is to rely on God instead of these other things. Well, I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve prayed to God to take away my craving and focused on Him instead. I’ve definitely lived out the purpose, maybe more so than other years, but even so I’m here to tell ya – nothing is going to stop me on Easter morning from eating ice cream for breakfast.
xo xo
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, Part II
As crazy as this sounds, The Walking Dead is a big part of our life. It’s the only TV show we watch live every week. We often watch it with a group of other zombie-obsessors. We spend at least 30 min-1 hour dissecting the episode and what’s going to happen next. And we even dedicate another hour of our Sunday to watching The Talking Dead. What is it about the show that makes it so perfect? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s so.freaking.good!
I’ve written two other posts about the show (How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, Sundays are DEAD to me), but with the Season 4 season finale last night I decided to follow up the former with a Part II. We’ve learned a lot since I wrote that post 2 seasons ago. While those tips are definitely still relevant, below are some more advanced lessons we’ve learned.
1. Keep your legs closed. I understand the need for intimacy in a time like this, but without protection, it’s just a no. Babies are way too much of a hassle in this situation and will put others in danger.
2. Don’t trust anyone outside your group, and if you’re considering inviting others to join your group, don’t forget to ask them the 3 questions: How many walkers have you killed? How many people have you killed? Why?
3. However, if you do find people you can trust – stick together at all costs.
4. Get over yourself. You’re going to have to do things you never thought you would (and I mean NEVER thought you would … case in point, season finale). That does not make you a bad person, that’s just life now.
5. As with #1, I also understand the desire to drink in a time like this, but again, it’s just a no. Is it really worth it to lower your inhibitions with zombies and other people trying to constantly kill you?!
6. Ration your food. You may get overly excited when you find a 112 oz. can of chocolate pudding, but you’re going to want that later when there’s nothing but a rabbit leg to eat.
7. Get creative. Unfortunately these days, shooting and stabbing aren’t the only ways you’ll need to kill.
8. If you’re staying in one place for a while, always have a getaway plan that can be executed very quickly.
9. Get a bow and arrow and practice shooting it. It will be invaluable.
10. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t look right or feel right, it’s probably not right.
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: Hot Springs
{started the weekend off right with margaritas!}
{then back to the house for pool and beer … among other things}
{love this pic – as someone said, it either looks like a rom-com or a psa for underage drinking}
{beautiful home we were so fortunate to stay in}
{day at the races!}
{dinner at backporch grill}
{downtown hot springs – superior bathouse and brewery}
{sunday morning mimosas}
{brunch at fisherman’s wharf before heading home}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Cabin in the Woods, Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock
I’m doing okay.
Remember that post I wrote about two months ago? Where I led with, “You want real, here’s real: I’m not okay.” Well, it’s two months later and I’m doing okay.
Guess what, friends, time works. Time heals. Not all, but it heals. It’s a Friday night. I’m laying in bed writing this after a great evening at home – taking Olli on a walk, cooking dinner barefoot in the kitchen (which Mom thinks means I’m pregnant … but I’m not) and relaxing with some favorite shows.
I’m trying so hard to be thankful every day for things in my life. I’m trying so hard to work through my grief. I’m trying so hard to praise God in all circumstances. It’s still hard, but I’ve definitely made progress.
I’m not here to sugar coat it and tell you it’s not all gone. Lord knows it’s not. I still feel a little hollow inside. I still feel sadder than I use to, lonelier than I use to, more reflective than I use to.
There’s still bad days. Days when all I want to do is cry. But those days are getting fewer and farther between. The perplexing part though is, I’m not sure if that’s what I want. I’m not sure if I want to be okay. It makes it feel more real and it makes it feel like I’m forgetting him. So some days I hold tight to my grief, letting it bury me because I don’t want it to go away.
I need to learn how to hold on to it and let it go at the same time. That’s where I am. Caught in the divide. I can see the light though. I can see the Lord pulling me in the right direction. He’s been so evident lately, putting specific people in my life at certain times to talk about certain things. I just love that. Love that I have someone looking out for me like that.
It’s getting better, friends, and I have all of you to thank as well for your continual love.
As Henry David Thoreau says, “Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”
xo xo
thankful {days 5-13}
{Day 5: I’m thankful for blue skies, sunroofs + lunch breaks. #lent #40daychallenge}
{Day 6: I’m thankful for good conversations with old friends. #lent #40daychallenge}
{Day 7: I’m thankful for this beautiful devotional that has been my source of hope, joy and peace the past few months. #lent #40daychallenge #jesuscalling}
{Day 8: Rough day at work then I come home to puppy and puke in his crate. So today I am thankful for the little things in the mailbox that made me smile. #lent#40daychallenge #birchbox}
{Day 9: First day that I’ve missed … but I was thankful for Fridays!}
{Day 10: I’m so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate a beautiful marriage that truly embodies the love of Christ. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Saunders! #lent#40daychallenge #weddingday}
{Day 11: I’m thankful for social media. Otherwise I may not have the opportunity to be so encouraged by words like these. {regram from @jtlstreet} #lent#40daychallenge #johnpiper}
{Day 12: I’m thankful for retail therapy – one of my purchases being this adorable shirt from Elysian Boutique! #lent #40daychallenge}
{Day 13: I’m thankful for to-do lists and time for blogging! {new post: milledavis.com} #lent#40daychallenge #blog}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: My Lenten #40DayChallenge, there’s beauty in the weekends
11 Reasons “Pretty Little Liars” Is My New Obsession
{FYI – I’ve only watched the first two seasons, so I am NOT caught up. I repeat, I am NOT caught up. No spoilers please. Unfortunately I already know some, so no more!}
1. The fashion. Who dresses like that in high school? Scratch that. Who doesn’t wish they had dressed like that in high school? Or even post-high school??
2. Every single episode leaves me with another question and wanting more. (Case in point – the number of episodes I binge-watched Saturday, which I won’t tell you, but it was a lot.)
3. The four girls’ friendship through thick and thin (i.e. murders and swim meet championships) and their weekly gossip-fueled sleepovers.
4. Caleb is so bad boy dreamy. Fitz is so book nerd dreamy. Wren is so foreign dreamy. There’s a lot of dreamy.
5. The town square is the same set used as Gilmore Girls. (and we know I’m obsessed with anything GG)
6. Those texts from A are like a box of chocolate, you just never know what you’re gonna get.
7. It’s like Veronica Mars meets Desperate Housewives. Perfect.
8. The music change every time Jenna Marshall walks into a room and the looks all the girls immediately give each other, despite the fact that she isn’t doing anything … except walk into a room.
9. I can get my high school girl-crazy, hair-pulling bathroom fight and my front row seat to a murder investigation all in one place.
10. I don’t understand how/why this is on ABC Family, but that makes it even more scandalous.
11. Hidden lovers, hidden bodies, hidden secrets … what’s not to love??
“Only two can keep a secret if one of them is dead.”
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 10 Reasons “The O.C.” Was the Best Teen Drama Ever on TV
there’s beauty in the weekends
{Day 3: I’m thankful for a date night with @ourdudekyle consisting of dinner, drinks (with free mittens!!) and an evening catching up on our TV shows. #tgif #lent#40daychallenge}
{Day 4: I’m thankful for rest with a cute puppy. #lent#40daychallenge}
Sundays don’t count in the 40 days of Lent, so I’m not doing a photo for today, but I still have so much to be thankful for:
early morning coffee + donuts, a wonderful church family,
the opportunity to serve every week,
learning about love + obedience, book searching + chicken eating with husband,
a gorgeous sunny day,
movie date with mom to see frozen (finally!), giggling in the movie like the little girls behind us,
a long walk with our little family (me, mom, husband and two dogs: roxie and olli),
relaxing at home with the biggest question being to nap or read,
a Sunday evening ahead of steak, veggies + The Walking Dead.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: My Lenten #40DayChallenge
My Lenten #40DayChallenge
This year for Lent I’m doing things a little different. Well, I’m still doing some familiar things, like fasting from all sweets. (But this time I’m not going to let Sunday be a cheat day. So straight 45 days without sweets. Eek!)
But I’m also doing something different. I’m taking the time to be intentional about things I’m thankful for. I will share a photo every day on my instagram account @milledavis of my #40daychallenge. You can follow along there or on my blog. I won’t update on my blog every day, but will share in batches several days worth of photos.
This is a great exercise for anyone, to be conscious every day of the many things you have to be thankful for, but for me specifically in this time of grief. I pray that through this season God will open my eyes and remind me of all of his wonderful blessings. I pray I will reflect during this time on what’s truly important. I pray I will be reinvigorated with His truth and the passion to share the Gospel.
I hope you’ll follow me in this journey and share things you’re thankful for too!
xoxo
{Day 1: I’m thankful for the freedom to practice my religion during this sacred season.}
{Day 2: I’m thankful for fun coworkers and belated mardi gras celebrations.}
life lately
{working // with the Walmart Moms while they were in Bentonville}
{dressing // in black tie for the NAACP Image Awards}
{relaxing // with friends, beer and games}
{reading // my People magazines}
{painting // with a twist}
xo xo
Oscars 2014: 5 Best + Worst Dressed
B E S T D R E S S E D
{Cate Blanchett, Armani // This dress and those applique details are just a dream. She looks like a goddess, just floating along without a care in the world. The nude could easily wash her out, but somehow it complements her skin and hair perfectly.}
{Lupita Nyong’o, Prada // Oh my goodness, breathtaking. She set the bar pretty high as she’s been killing it all awards season, but this “Nairobi” blue instantly set her apart from her peers. Only change in my opinion – lose the headband. It makes her look too young.}
{Angelina Jolie, Elie Saab // Angelina Jolie (and Brad Pitt) are practically royalty in the movie star realm, and she totally brought it. This is the definition of confidence and age-appropriate sexy.}
{Charlize Theron, Dior // Talk about a simple stunner. The fit of this dress could not be more perfect and I absolutely love the nude straps. Top it off with perfect hair, makeup and accessories and you’ve got a winner.}
{Kate Hudson, Versace // I really have no words except, just look at her. The plunging v-neck accentuates her fit figure flawlessly and that cape takes it from beautiful to outstanding.}
Honorable Mentions: Jennifer Lawrence, Olivia Wilde
W O R S T D R E S S E D
Okay, to be fair, there really wasn’t any look on the red carpet I thought was just awful. Overall, the gowns were beautiful, but the five below were just some of my least favorites.
{Jennifer Garner, Oscar de la Renta // I just don’t love this for the Oscars. She looks too much like a high-end flapper and the neckline is too grade school. Spice it up a little bit, Jen.}
{Kristen Bell, Cavalli // I ADORE Kristen Bell, so I hate to put her on this list. Again, it’s not horrible, but it’s not great either. The dress is fine, but the entire look is a little boring and safe. Also, the middle part hair? No.}
{Anne Hathaway, Gucci // This just looks strange. I can’t really put my finger on it, but it kind of looks like she’s wearing an armor breastplate on top of a gown. Sorry, Anne.}
{Sally Hawkins, Valentino// Sally, this was your moment! You were nominated for the first time! You could have killed it and you totally lost it. As we saw, the nude and applique were huge trends, but she did not pull it off properly. It looks like this dress was not fitted for her at all and she just threw it on last minute.}
{Amy Adams, Gucci // I was so excited to see what Amy was going to wear after her amazing dress at the Golden Globes … and this was totally underwhelming. It’s a beautiful dress, but the look is just so-so. I would have completely changed the hair and accessories to make this look more sexy.}
xo xo
Pop, Fizz, Clink!
This will be one of the first years in recent memory I have not hosted my annual Oscars viewing party. Awards season is one of my favorite things ever and it all leads up to the Academy Awards. A good watch party includes friends, ballots, champagne and red carpet critiquing.
Below are a few photos from my first ever viewing party in high school. The attire was sweats (which back then meant we were all wearing Victoria’s Secret PINK), we traced our hands on a fake red carpet and we drank sparkling cider.
Last year I rented out the theater at our apartment complex and had a special cake made just for the event. You can see photos and read my post here. Unfortunately this year I decided not to host an event. As it turned out, mother nature affirmed my decision, as we’re currently in a thunder-sleet-pocalypse and I’m not sure how many people would have been able to attend anyway.
While of course I’ll still be watching (ballot and champagne in hand) I wanted to share some fun viewing party ideas I’ve seen around the web.
Enjoy your evening with the stars! xo xo
{Oscar nominated actor straws via}
{popcorn bar via}
{easy gold decor via}
{movie quote cupcakes – TDF via}
{custom labels via}
{confetti poppers via}
You might also enjoy: 10 Facts You Should Know About the Oscars, Oscar Noms Reviews: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
life lately
{laughing // during our weekend getaway to Tulsa to see Aziz Ansari}
{partying // at a two-year-old birthday party}
{drinking // at our favorite brewery on a sunday funday}
{traveling // to San Francisco, including FB and Pinterest HQs}
{enjoying // this saturday morning}
{loving //my valentine and our night out}
xo xo
“I’ll stand before the lord of song with nothing on my tongue but hallelujah”
I’ve had the urge to write lately. The urge, but not time. Or the urge, but nothing to say. Such is the life of a writer. The thoughts that follow may make no sense at all, or they may be perfect as a poem. Again, such is the life of a writer.
Life has been hard lately. I mean, it hasn’t exactly been easy the past month and a half, but the past few weeks have been a different kind of hard.
I assume I’m going through the 5 stages of grief: 1. Denial and Isolation 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance, but definitely not in order. Over the past two weeks, I’ve been going through 1, 2 and 4 practically on a daily basis. I hadn’t really experienced anger until now. It’s odd, being so angry even though there’s nothing you can do. No one to be angry at. I’m not an angry person, but boy have I been angry, and it’s made me just more irritable in general. I come home and I’m just in a bad mood and there’s nothing I can do to get out of it.
But mostly, I’ve felt depression. I could completely understand how someone could fall into a serious depression after the loss of someone. There have been several days when all I want to do is sleep. I don’t want to go anywhere or see anyone. I just feel like I can’t move or think, so I don’t want to. Like I physically cannot move my body. But I get up. I push myself out of bed to go to work or whatever, but I’ve been wanting to less and less than usual.
I’ve been busy. Very busy at work. Maybe too busy? I’m not sure how busy I should really be. There have been days when I’m so overwhelmed at work, then I’m so overwhelmed at home with my thoughts and emotions. There’s no escape. I need to seek more balance.
You know how sometimes a song comes on the radio and it’s just absolutely perfect for the mood you’re in? This happened the other day with the song below. I couldn’t tell you why, but it calmed me and provided me with a sense of connection. I don’t even really know what the song is about, but it’s just so beautiful.
I don’t want to end on a somber note, so I’ll close this out with a few other thoughts that have been occupying my mind, unrelated to the above.
- House of Cards season premiere … OH MY GOSH. There are no words.
- Please please don’t make us go back into winter. These 50 and 60 degree temps have been heavenly.
- Beyonce’s new album still rules. #flawless
- When you pay more for a bottle of nice wine, it’s totally worth it.
- Valentine’s Day may be cheesy and commercial, but I love the opportunity to celebrate my husband like I should every day.
- If you hadn’t heard yet, my new car’s name is Sofie.
- I need a vacation. A hot, beach vacation. Stat.
- Can I also get a tan and a margarita with that ^^ please?
xo xo
Oscar Noms Reviews: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
This snowy weather (again!) makes me want to stay in all day and watch movies. Alas, that is not an option, but I wish it were. I could sit and watch movies for days on end. If made correctly, they’re so beautiful and give you a peek into another world, sometimes so different from you that you could have never imagined on your own.
With the Academy Awards less than a month away, I’m on a mission to see as many nominated movies as I can. You can see the full list of nominations here. While I still have a few to go, below are reviews of the movies I’ve seen lately. As I always say, take reviews with a grain of salt. If you want to see something, go see it. No matter what anyone says.
Wolf of Wall Street: B+
Here’s the short of it – the acting was phenomenal, but everything else was excessive. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill absolutely deserve an award for their work, but it was overdone with sex and drugs. I understand why Martin Scorsese did what he did, but I just don’t agree with it. It also could have easily been cut by an hour at least.
American Hustle: A-
You want to talk about beauty, this was a beautiful film. The clothes, the music, the hair, the music – it was all absolutely perfect for the era. (I was born in the wrong decade!!) This acting was also top-notch. Every single performance was terrific, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and of course, my love, Jennifer Lawrence.
Gravity: A+
I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a film so much. Scratch that – enjoyed and been on the edge of my seat so much. The entire film was just breathtaking and Sandra Bullock was perfect. George Clooney was good for some eye-candy and comic relief (per usual). Alfonso Cuaron needs to win Best Director.
Her: A-
I give this one a minus simply because parts of it were just too odd. While we are in the day and age where this could legitimately happen, we’re not quite ready to embrace it. That being said, the film was wonderfully made, retro and modern at the same time. Scarlett Johansson was brilliant. She made you feel and believe simply by her voice. That’s true talent right there.
Blue Jasmine: B+
The story was interesting enough, but as a whole it just wasn’t quite there. The movie’s one redeeming quality was Cate Blanchett, who seems to shine in any role she plays. However, when you don’t have the supporting actors and the plot to hold you up, there’s only so much you can do.
August: Osage County: C+
This movie was just sad. And I mean that in several ways. Sad as in super depressing and sad as in, I was really looking forward to this movie and it did not live up to expectations. Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts were INCREDIBLE. Streep’s monologues were remarkable and reminiscent of a stage play, but the story was just too depressing to justify the performances.
On the top of the list to watch before March 2: Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Nebraska, 12 Years a Slave, Frozen
What do you think of the Oscar nominations?
xo xo
Birthday Week
You can ask my husband, for as long as he’s known me (10 years) I’ve never celebrated my birthday. I’ve celebrated my birthday week.
I really love birthdays. (Deduce from that what you will – possibly that I love the attention) I just don’t understand people who don’t want to celebrate their birthday because they’re getting old. Yeah, you are, but wouldn’t you rather “get old” in style and have a party?
My official birthday week began Friday. So it’s still in full swing. We’re ending the week with a road trip to Tulsa to see some dear friends and comedian/favorite-Parks-and-Rec-character Aziz Ansari. Eeek!! I’m SO excited!
I’ll do a weekend picturebook of the trip next week, but wanted to share some memories from the fabulous birthday week thus far.
{Friday – flowers from Husband}
{Saturday night – party at Maxine’s Tap Room}
{Monday – at work & play}
{Tuesday – best birthday present ever!!!}
xo xo
m.davis xoxo 
