favorites, round 3.
Things I love that I want to share with you, so you can love them too.
1. Beyonce – Queen Bey did it again. This album is phenomenal. I can’t stop listening to it, and I have a new favorite song every day. Current favorites: Partition, XO and Drunk in Love.
2. Chapstick Hydration Lock – I got this new chapstick in my birchbox a few months ago. (Another one of my favorite things.) I’m already a huge chapstick person, but this has just fueled my obsession. It’s so soft and creamy and vanilla-y. It’s amazing.
3. Macarons – I’d had macarons once before and wasn’t a fan. Then, my friend Mollie starting making them and they are out of this world. She might start selling them soon, in which case you can definitely expect a blog post about it so you can buy some!
4. Leopard Scarf from Nordstrom – This scarf has probably been my one favorite wardrobe piece for fall and winter. It’s cute and trendy and leopard is always versatile. Infinity scarves in general are my current fave!
5. Moscow Mule – This drink is amaaazing. Who would have known I’d like Ginger Beer?? It also doesn’t hurt that it’s served in an adorable copper mug. #love
6. Candy Crush – The first step is admitting you have a problem … I’m addicted to Candy Crush! It seems so ridiculous, but it’s so fun. (Until you get stuck on a level for weeks.)
xo xo
You might also enjoy: favorites., favorites, round 2.
life lately
{eating this // biscoff macarons}
{enjoying this // beautiful flowers from a beautiful friend}
{reading this // perfect for bedtime}
{traveling for this // Dallas for work}
{doing this // with mom on a saturday morning}
{relaxing in this}
xo xo
Life, it’s hard.
You want real? Here’s real: I’m not okay.
This situation has been more difficult than I could have ever imagined, and I’m tired of telling everyone I’m doing fine. I mean, I am doing fine, but I’m also not doing fine. Do you understand? If you do, please let me in, because I don’t understand. My thoughts, feelings, tears, emotions have been so scattered the past few weeks I honestly don’t know what I’m feeling. So often I feel numb – numb to the pain, numb to the world then all of a sudden I’m the opposite of numb (sensitive?) and I can feel everything all at once. All emotions come rushing to me. The tears don’t stop. The memories don’t stop. I can’t do anything.
I went back to work at the beginning of the week. I was so anxious about starting back, but it’s really been pretty good. I’ve enjoyed getting back into work and into a semi-normal routine. Everyone has been great, but someone shared a piece of advice that has stuck with me – Don’t just throw yourself into work. It will only elongate the healing process.
I’m honestly at a point right now where I can’t even imagine not feeling sad. I know it will happen, but it seems like such a foreign concept. When will I ever not be sad that I don’t get to see or talk to my dad again? When will that ever seem normal?
But life goes on. It’s amazing that it does, when everything around you seems to be crumbling and changing. But if I had any doubt in my mind, I look at Facebook or Instagram and it definitely goes on.
I love you all, and I don’t want you to read this and pity me. I just needed an outlet to be real. To be raw. If anything, just pray for me. If there’s been anything that’s given me peace and hope and strength through all of this, it’s been my faith. I honestly don’t know how people do it who don’t believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To end, I want to share with you my devotional from today. I pray it gives you hope in your life and your situation as it did for me today.
My face is shining upon you, beaming out peace that transcends understanding. You are surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face-to-face with Me, your Peace. As long as you focus on Me, you are safe. If you gaze too long at the myriad of problems around you, you will sink under the weight of your burdens. When you start to sink, simply call out, “Help me, Jesus!” and I will lift you up.
The closer you live to Me, the safer you are. Circumstances around you are undulating, and there are treacherous-looking waves in the distance. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. By the time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of My design. I am always beside you, helping you face today’s waves. The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you. Laugh at the future! Stay close to me.
xo xo
2013: My Top 5 Movies, TV Shows + Books
I love reading end of year lists. I love seeing the popular opinion on top movies, books, fashion, etc. and how it compares with what I think. Last year I shared my top 10 movies of 2012. I planned to do my top 10 movies of 2013, but as I was looking back I honestly couldn’t find 10 movies that I would want on my list. (yikes!) So I decided to shorten it and add a few of my other tops from this year as well.
Enjoy! Let me know what your favorites were this year!
xo xo
M O V I E S
5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Catching Fire was my favorite book of the series, so they had a lot to live up to, and they did. 10 times better than the first movie and of course Jennifer Lawrence is flawless.
4. Mud
Skeptical at first going into this movie since I didn’t know a thing about it, I walked out in awe at how much I enjoyed it. Maybe because I can semi-relate to the rural Arkansas lifestyle or because Matthew McConaughey had his best performance I’ve seen. Either way, you need to see it.
3. The Spectacular Now
This is the best indie movie since Garden State. It’s beautiful, it’s touching, it’s heart-wrenching. You will fall in love with Shailene Woodley and newcomer Miles Teller and reminisce about your first love.
2. Rush
What a RUSH! Bad pun, I know, but I absolutely loved this movie. It made something I wasn’t interested in (racing) very interesting and you were hooked until the last second.
1. Gravity
There literally are no words that can describe this movie. I didn’t think I was breathing the entire movie. Even after the movie I was unsure. Outstanding.
(Note: I’m still dying to see the following – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Wolf of Wall St., Inside Llewelyn Davis, Dallas Buyers Club, Saving Mr. Banks)
T E L E V I S I O N S H O W S
5. Parks and Recreation
Somehow I’ve gone several years without seeing this show and I’m kicking myself for it. However, binge-watching this over the summer might have been more fun. I love Tom Haverford … and Leslie Knope … and Andy Dwyer … and Ron Swanson … I love them all!
4. House of Cards
The second season starts streaming on Netflix Feb. 14. No lie, all I want for Valentine’s Day is just to make dinner and binge-watch it with Husband. That’s saying something!!
3. The Walking Dead
Yes, this is a great show, but maybe I’ve loved it this year more because we’ve started watching it every Sunday night with a group of friends and that makes everything better. (Husband will definitely be mad at me for not putting this first … but I just adore Mindy Lahiri and Olivia Pope more than zombies!)
2. The Mindy Project
This has by far been the best sitcom of the year. The first season was shaky, but this season has been hilarious. The addition of Peter and Cliff to the series has been brilliant.
1. Scandal
Somehow this show just keeps getting better and better and better. I never know what to expect each episode, except for glamorous Miss Pope and her big glass of vino. #Olitz4Eva
B O O K S
5. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Practical, honest and smart, this book opened my eyes and gave me the power and perspective I needed to continue in my life and career.
4. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
A grown-up version of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, this was an easy book to read, but with more depth and wit than you’d expect.
3. 7 – An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker
This book has changed the way I think about everything. Read it and challenge yourself. Learn about my challenge here.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Intrigue, suspense, love, drama and it’s currently in works to be a movie starring Ben Affleck. I could not put this book down.
1. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling
I love Mindy Kaling. I love her writing style. I love her humor. I love her personality. Enough said. (Have I said how much I love her?)
2013: my year in pictures
{January: Birthday in Vegas}
{March: Weekend Getaway to St. Louis}
{May: Celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary in Kansas City, complete with fireworks from the hotel balcony}
{June: Celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. DeMoss…}
{… and Mr. and Mrs. Davila – yay!}
{July: Essence Festival in New Orleans, where we got to see BEYONCE!}
{July: Also celebrated Husband’s golden birthday!}
{August: Moved into my parents house with a beautiful backyard!}
{August: the start of our NWA breweries obsession}
{September: Alderman Music Tour – Part 1: Denver}
{September: Alderman Music Tour – Part 2: Nashville}
{October: Trip to San Fransisco and Facebook HQ}
{November: Two wonderful weekends with my parents for tailgating & Thanksgiving}
{November: Weekend getaway with our community group}
{December: #mkredparty}
{December: Christmas in Seattle and Vancouver (pictured above) to celebrate a friend’s wedding}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 2012: my year in pictures, 2011: my year in pictures
A Tribute: Wonderful Father, Loving Husband of 40 Years, Loyal Friend aka Donny “Rooster”
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – John 14:1-4
My Dad passed away December 30 unexpectedly from a heart attack. This blog has been my online scrapbook of sorts from the last 4 years, so I wanted to include a tribute to him, no matter how hard to write, as he is a huge part of my life and memories and always will be.
Bear with me as I sort through some photos and memories, some of mine and some of others who have shared the last few days. I do not intend for this post to make anyone cry or be sad (myself included) as I really want to celebrate his life more than anything.
{Dad’s school days photo and high school football photo – look how handsome}
{me, Dad and Mimi, his mother, 1998}
My very first memory is with my Dad. I must have been 2 or 3 and I was visiting him for a week while he was working in Kentucky. I remember seeing snow for the first time. I remember the hotel ladies bringing me cheese pizza (my favorite). But I also remember a story that my Dad loved to tell – we had stopped at a gas station and he left me in the car. I had just gotten a new outfit that I just couldn’t wait to wear, so my dad comes back out from the gas station only to find me standing in the back of the station wagon, butt naked, trying to put my new clothes on. (I still want to put on new clothes the second I get them!)
{with friends at a class reunion}
{planting trees with “forever” friend Joe Miles for a boy scout project}
As we’ve been reminiscing the past few days with family and friends, there has been story after story about Dad that I have just soaked up. Some of them involved dancing (with his little girl, with his beautiful wife, with his friends, my friends, anyone), some of them involved his mischievous doings with the Walnut Street Gang in elementary school and some of them from the college years are not fit to print here (he was a true 70s hippie, what more can I say?)
{family/friend tailgate weekend, Nov. 2013}
One of my other favorite memories is the story of how he and my Mom met. I’d heard the first half of the story multiple times, but only heard the second half this weekend from one of their college friends. They both went to ASU in Jonesboro. Dad and a friend would sit in their dorm with their binoculars scoping out the hot girls on the lawn. One day he spotted Mom and said to his friend, “I have to meet that girl.” Later, Dad was in the lunchroom with another friend/an ex-girlfriend and he saw Mom again, to which he said, “That’s the girl!” The ex said, “Oh, that’s Robin. Do you want me to introduce you?” “Oh no, no, don’t do that.” The ex went up to my Mom and asked if she wanted to eat lunch with her and her friend, pointing to Dad. To which my Mom replied, “The guy with the binoculars?!” Obviously she went out with the guy with the binoculars anyway, and the rest was history.
{Appleton family photo, 2006}
{father-daughter dance, 2011}
Some things about my Dad that I hope never to forget: his love of people; his habit of drinking coffee in the morning with mom while she read the paper and he did the crossword puzzle; his new addiction to candy crush thanks to me and mom; his willingness to give me money all the time, even if it was his last $20, he just wanted to make sure I was taken care of; his habit of watching Jeopardy at 4pm and yelling out the answers; his stories of growing up in Newport and keeping up with his classmates; our game of “Name that Tune” on car rides, as he tried to educate me on classic rock; his insistence on trying to teach me to fish even though I just couldn’t stand it; his friendliness to all – he had no prejudice to ethnicity, religion, class; his laugh and his positive outlook – not holding grudges and just moving on; his love of good southern food (mashed potatoes, grits, bbq) and his sweet tooth (that I inherited); his willingness to travel just about anywhere with his girls, though his suggestion was always the same – Destin or the Keys; his compliments that he was unafraid to give; his nicknames for me, including LD (little darlin’) and Mille Moo from Tuscaloo.
{Park City, Utah, 2012}
{Orlando, FL, 2010}
Now a tribute from Kyle, his favorite son-in-law:
I wanted to take a moment and say thank you to everyone for all the love and support you have given us. Robin, Mille, and I surely have the most amazing family, friends, and coworkers, and as Donny would say: “y’all are good people”.
You form a special bond with a man, when he gives you his blessing to marry his only daughter, and that bond only strengthened over time as we rode along together through all the awesome (and some times crazy) trips that Mille and Robin planned. From the Islands of Adventure in Florida, to honky-tonk hopping in Nashville, every year just seemed to get more awesome, and gave me so many wonderful memories.
Donny, I am so grateful that you (and of course Robin too!) said yes to me when I asked for your daughter’s hand, and that you so easily accepted me as part of your family. You are so very missed, and I want you to know that I will do everything I can to take care of your two beautiful girls.
What an amazing and sweet husband I have. I’ve always known how great he is, but he has been such a blessing the last week. I don’t know what I would have done without him – from driving us 13 hours from Ohio then 5 hours to Newport to always being by my side and giving me a hug or a kiss on the forehead exactly when I need it. I also want to give a shoutout to everyone else who has been so supportive during this time – family, friends, co-workers. We have just been overwhelmed by the love and support and prayers, and please, keep the prayers coming. There will still be a lot more hurt and pain. This is not an easy journey, but we’re thankful to have all of you by our side. I leave you with a poem that was read at Dad’s service, that is absolutely perfect.
You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has livedYou can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has leftYour heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you sharedYou can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterdayYou can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live onYou can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.xo xo
Love, LD
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Now that our party is over, I can focus on our next big thing. We’re heading to Seattle and Canada in T minus 8 days – eek! I love traveling, but I also love planning the trips almost as much. The excitement and anticipation is sometimes better than the actual trip.
One of my dream jobs is to be a travel planner (not a party planner as I learned this weekend). I absolutely love exploring new cities, researching where to stay, what restaurants to eat at, the hottest bars, the trendiest boutiques. Of course, the downside to planning other people’s trips is you wouldn’t actually get to experience any of the things you planned, which would definitely be hard for me.
As I’ve been planning our trip to Seattle and Canada, I thought I’d share with you some of my top tips for travel planning. {First, you should read my post from several years ago about how to dress while traveling: Travel Chic.}
And if you ever want any help planning (or need a trip buddy) I’m your girl.
Enjoy! xo
1. Set up price notifications to places you’re planning on visiting, or want to visit, so you can see how and when the prices change to ensure you get the best deal. (I currently use the Kayak iPhone app to do so.) However, be prepared to book quickly if you see a dramatic decrease in price because they go fast.
2. Decide if you really need a rental car. If you’re staying in a big city, it might be cheaper to use public transportation and/or walk. Don’t forget to take into account overnight parking rates at your hotel and public parking costs. For people like us in small towns like Bentonville, we don’t think about these things.
3. Crowdsource. Crowdsource. Crowdsource. The best recommendations are from other people. Post a status on Facebook and Twitter asking for recommendations. Ask your co-workers. You will most likely get inundated with tons of reccos, which is where the fourth tip comes in.
4. After getting recommendations, do your own homework. Don’t assume everyone likes the same things you do or eats at the same types of restaurants you like. Visit the website, look at the menu and look at reviews on Yelp.
5. When looking up reviews (for a restaurant, hotel, museum, etc.) always read the worst rated reviews. You can see if the bad things people are saying are legitimately bad, or just nonsense that’s dragging the ratings down.
6. Make your list of a couple things you must-do on the vacation (like for us in Seattle – visit the first Starbucks location, duh) but also leave time for wiggle room, whether for a nap or for that cute boutique you saw down the corner.
7. Once you get to your location, ask the locals their favorite places to go. We did this in New York last year and found the most amazing bar ever (Beauty & Essex) that we might not have ever found otherwise.
8. Eat local. I’m a huge proponent of no chain restaurants while on vacation. A huge part of a city’s culture is it’s food, so you need to get a true taste!
9. Pack comfortable shoes and basics you can accessorize with. Overpacking is never a good thing. It’s stressful because you can’t find what you need. It doesn’t really matter what you wear on vacation anyway (who’s going to know if you wore the same thing twice?!) AND you can fill your bag with stuff you buy shopping!
10. If at all possible, only pack a carry-on. You’ll save money and time. If you have to check a bag and you’re traveling with others, pack one big back and put several people’s stuff in it, then each pack small carry-ons too.
11. Lastly, plan things that you want to do. It’s your vacation! If you don’t normally like to go to museums, don’t assume you’ll enjoy museums just because you’re in another city.
#mkREDparty
{the piano bar}
{the hashtag}
{the RED decor}
{the peppermint and chocolate macaroons}
{the macaroon lovers}
{the RED shoes}
{the santa hat cuties}
{the beauties dressed in RED}
{the snazzy community group}
{the bestie}
{the favorite}
xo xo
Our Snow Days By The Numbers
4 days working from home
6 home-cooked dinners in a row (my personal best)
2 Walmart trips, $200 spent on groceries
30 oreos eaten
2 TV series watched from start to finish (The Blacklist, The Big Bang Theory Season 7)
35 TV episodes watched
1 movie watched (Love Actually)
10 pots of coffee made
4 blog posts written
5 school days off for the kids and 5 days of rejoicing we didn’t have kids
25 photos taken of puppy playing in the snow
15 hours of video games played
259 oz. of alcohol consumed (6 beers, 6 straw-ber-itas, 3 bottles of wine, 1 growler)
1 bad fall on the ice
4 magazines and 9 book chapters read
7 presents wrapped
Innumerable posts read on Facebook and Twitter about the storm
3 additional hours spent planning for my party next week
60 group text messages sent re: snowpocalypse
5 DAYS OF INSANE CABIN FEVER
xo xo
You can read more about #Snowpocalypse2013 here: Observations on Working From Home, Snowpocalypse Meal Plan
Homemade Hot Chocolate {Snow Day Recipe}
Ever since Thursday I’ve been craving hot chocolate. Unfortunately it was one of the things that escaped my mind as I was hurriedly pushing through Walmart Wednesday night fighting for bread and water. Since I am not a homemade-type person, it didn’t even occur to me I could make it on my own. To me hot chocolate means a paper pouch in a blue box or a decadent dessert drink at a restaurant. (I know, I know, I’m a child of consumerism.)
Well today, the stars aligned. I found cocoa powder in the pantry and looked up a recipe for homemade hot chocolate. Do you guys know how easy it is to make?! I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but not a three ingredient recipe. I also just bought candy canes today and boy, do I love anything peppermint chocolate. So, still stuck at home and dreaming of a creamy hot beverage? Go all out homemade with this easy recipe!
H O M E M A D E H O T C H O C O L A T E
Ingredients:
1 c milk
1 tbs cocoa powder
1 tbs white sugar
2 tbs cream or milk
Optional: marshmallows, whipped cream and/or candy canes
Directions:
Place the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot.
Meanwhile, mix cocoa, sugar and cream until it’s a paste like consistency in your mug.
Pour hot milk into the mug and stir until combined and smooth.
Garnish with your favorite toppings!
Enjoy! xo
You might also enjoy: Pumpkin Cheesecake, {Almost} Better Than Sex Cake
life lately
{relaxing // with my girls at happy hour, 21c}
{babysitting // adorable miss scarlett}
{wanting // a french bulldog, sooo baaad!}
{giving thanks // for time with family}
{drinking // pony coronis with friends}
{marveling // at snowpocalypse 2013}
xo xo
Observations on Working From Home {Snow Day Edition}
The impending snowpocalypse arrived. Boy, were the weathermen right for once. Last time I measured, we had 8″ of snow in the backyard and it was still coming down. Husband and I have been working from home (wahh, waahhh) since we are unsure if we could make it down the hill from our house, let alone if there’s even still life out there. Oh wait, of course there is, I’ve seen every single person posting a picture of their backyard on Facebook or Instagram.
I’ve worked from home before, due to bad weather, sickness or just because, but never for two days in a row, and never without the option of leaving the house if I wanted to. As our second day at home and hopefully last (I HAVE to get out tomorrow so I can plan for my Christmas party for next week!!) I’ve learned a few things about WFH.
1. If you have a lot of pressing work to do, you can easily focus with less distractions than at work.
If you don’t have a lot of pressing work to do, nearly everything in the house is a distraction.
2. For the most part, you will eat healthier (depending on the food in your house.) But you will also eat more, because the kitchen is five steps away.
3. Sitting on your couch, in your PJs, drinking coffee from your favorite mug is so much better than sitting at a desk, in uncomfortable pants & blazer, drinking breakroom coffee from a paper cup.
4. Day 2 is not nearly as exciting as Day 1.
5. The dog is and always will be a distraction. Especially one that wants to be in your lap at all times.
6. Morning talk shows are where it’s at. Quite literally meaning, that’s where I wish I was. Sit around drinking wine, interviewing celebs and gossiping all morning. NBC, how about Hoda and Mille D???
7. You can get so much more done – the laundry, the dishes, walking the dog – oh and actual work, too.
8. You will miss your co-workers in a weird way. Your husband just doesn’t quite understand like they do.
9. You don’t have to shower, or fix your hair, or do your makeup, or get out of your pj’s for that matter. You do have to brush your teeth, because that’s just bad hygiene.
10. That extra hour and a half you get to sleep in is totally worth it.
11. When the clock hits 5pm, it’s a lot easier to just walk over to the fridge and grab a beer.
xo xo
Snowpocalypse Meal Plan
If you live in NWA, you know there’s an impending snowpocalypse on it’s way. We’re supposed to get 5-7 inches of snow and several inches of ice within the next 48 hours.
It just started sleeting at our house, making it the perfect time to start the crockpot of chili for tonight. What’s better than chili on a snow day?!
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, boy do I wish I was back in school when snow days come around. It’s not quite the same when we’re working and have laptops and portable phones to keep us busy during a snow day.
{You can read more of my thoughts and memories about snow days here: Grownup Snow Days and What I’ve Learned in College, Snow Days Edition}
Let’s talk food. When it comes to snow days, you want to have enough food and drink in case you get snowed in. It needs to be delicious comfort food, and it does not necessarily need to be healthy. Below is our meal plan for the next few days.
W E D N E S D A Y
Italian Meatball Sliders (kings rolls + frozen meatballs + provolone + marinara = amazing)
Leftover Green Bean Casserole (officially the end of our leftovers, don’t judge me)
T H U R S D A Y
Chili! You can get Mille’s Chili recipe here.
Salad (simple – lettuce, baby tomatoes and balsamic)
F R I D A Y
Tacos
(we love the tyson pre-cooked and cut chicken and steak for tacos,
add sliced peppers to the pan and it’s just like a restaurant)
S A T U R D A Y
Pepperoni Rolls (recipe below, one of our favorite meals ever, so delicious!)
Salad or veggies, for good measure
Fingers crossed we can leave our house Saturday, otherwise it will be peanut butter sandwiches.
Others fingers crossed the power doesn’t go out, otherwise it will also be peanut butter sandwiches.
Stay safe and warm out there, and full! xo xo
* * * * *
Pepperoni Rolls {recipe}
Ingredients:
2 cans biscuits (we prefer the small biscuits, but any would do)
pepperonis
block of colby jack cheese
italian seasoning
grated parmesan
marinara
Optional: jalapenos
{photo cred: The Gunny Sack}
Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees.
Flatten the biscuits on a baking pan.
Inside each biscuit wrap 2 pepperonis, piece of cheese and jalapenos if you wish.
Fold up.
Sprinkle italian seasoning and parmesan cheese on top.
Bake as directed on the can of biscuits.
Serve with marinara dipping sauce.
A Griswold Charlie Brown Christmas Rap
Thanksgiving is over and I’ve officially moved on to Christmas. I don’t know what it is about this year, but I’m really getting in to the Christmas spirit. I turn the tree lights on the second I get home, and I’ve been listening to Christmas music more than usual, dancing and singing in the kitchen last night as I was preparing dinner. So I’m going to do a series of holidays posts over the next few weeks – holiday decor, gift guide, fashion, party tips, etc.
But first, I want to make sure all of YOU are in the Christmas spirit. Below are some of my top favorite moments from Christmas movies and TV episodes over the years. If you’re not in the spirit after this, you might just be the Grinch!
LOVE ACTUALLY
GLEE
ELF
COMMUNITY
THE O.C.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
GILMORE GIRLS
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: Cabin in the Woods
One of the things I’m most thankful for this year is our Community Group. After we got married, husband and I started looking for a couples bible study to join. We searched on our own and couldn’t find one we thought would be just right. Of course, God already had a plan for the perfect group for us to join. We got a text message from a co-worker from my previous job asking to prayerfully consider joining their group. God clearly led them to ask us and clearly led us to say yes, because it has been the best decision we’ve made all year.
These are some of the most loving, generous, inspirational people we know and we are so so grateful to call them our friends. It has become so much more than just a group we go to on Thursday nights, but people we share life with.
I wrote this post yesterday, and this morning at church they happened to be talking about community. They shared a great passage about what it means to be in community (Acts 2:42-47) describing biblical community as studying God’s word together, praying together and breaking bread together “with glad and sincere hearts.”
Last weekend we rented a cabin on the Buffalo River together and had an amazing weekend of true community. See below some highlights from the weekend.
{Friday night Newlywed Game – where husband correctly guessed the two things that would be in my “wild night”. We also won the game.}
{Saturday morning mimosas and scrabble. It’s a rough life.}
{It was FREEZING, but we went hiking anyway}
{and relaxed with a brew…}
{and did some caving…}
{and celebrated a birthday…}
{then relaxed by the fire.}
{What a great group of people – and a random little girl who jumped in our picture!}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Halloween, Birthdays & Football, Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock
5 Tips I Learned From My First Black Friday Experience
Thursday night I did something I never thought I’d do. I went shopping at Walmart for Black Friday (Thursday).
I’ve never been a Black Friday shopper. I hate getting up early, I hate the crowds and I never think there’s really anything worth it. However, in my second year working the holiday at Walmart, I decided I needed to see what it was all about. I drug husband with me after our third huge meal of the day, promising it would be fun and we wouldn’t be in there too long. Well, I was right about one thing. We were in there for a pretty long time, mostly due to the checkout line. But, honestly I actually had fun. I can’t say the same for husband, but to me it was exhilarating. I totally understand now the thrill people get from Black Friday shopping. (The people watching was also prime time.)
I might go again next year, but with my tips below I’ll definitely be more prepared.
{Yes, I even bought Diet Coke on sale. But it was the Taylor Swift DC and it was only $1!!}
1. Go in with a plan. If your shopping includes Walmart, this means using maps for the store. Who knew DVDs would be in the Garden Center and iPads would be in the meat section???
2. Only bring people who are equally as excited as you are to be there. Case in point, photo below. Also bring people who are equally as aggressive as you are. Otherwise, they will get stuck in a sea of carts while you’re 50 feet ahead of them fighting for sheets. (I only wish I had a photo of that.)
3. If you’re not doing a big overhaul of shopping, forego the cart. You’ll get around a lot easier and faster. Also, forego the jacket, it may be 30 degrees outside, but it’s 100 degrees inside.
4. Make friends with the people standing in line next to you. You will be in line for a long time, so you might as well have some people to gripe about the lines with, strategize if you should get in another line and talk about the awesome deals.
5. Most importantly, do not bring kids under the age of 10. (Over the age of 10 is a different story, they might be part of your strategy, but I digress.) I understand sometimes that may be the only option, but is it really worth it to lose your kids in a sea of people or get knocked around by carts? The $98 TVs, the $200 iPads, the $3 DVDs – it sounds worth it, but it’s definitely not.
xo xo
“What a lovely surprise to discover how unlonely being alone can be.”
A funny thing has happened since I’ve been married. I’ve forgotten how to be alone.
In college I cherished my alone time. Living with 2, 3 or 4 other people was often too much for me to handle. I wanted to go to my room, shut my door and be alone.
Until recently, I’ve always been someone who recharges by being alone (the true definition of an introvert they say.)
I’m so used to being with my husband that when I’m not, I don’t know what to do with myself. Being with him has become my new recharge. I still need my “alone” time, but now my alone time means me and husband time.
On a recent work trip, I spent a full day and night alone. I wasn’t traveling with anyone so I didn’t have anyone to talk to in the airport or eat dinner with. I didn’t have anyone to “get away from” and go into my room and shut my door. It was so lonely. I couldn’t enjoy the peace with myself. I couldn’t enjoy myself.
This weekend, husband was busy all day Saturday and Sunday so again, I was alone. But I did something I haven’t done in a long time, I took myself on a “me” date and spent some good quality time with myself.
I did exactly what I wanted to do – I went to Barnes and Noble. I chose 3 books I was interested in and sat down and read the first chapters of each. (How I decide which book to buy) I was in no rush. I had no one to answer to. I just sat and read. After that, I did my favorite me activity – shopping. Then, before I was ready to head home I did something else just for me – went to TCBY.
What a rewarding, comfortable, enjoyable afternoon that was. God opened my eyes to the importance of me time and gave me an opportunity to see how valuable it can be.
Tuesday nights are officially me nights now. Husband has karate for several hours so I can spend it as I please. It would be so easy to take this time to clean, do grocery shopping, be busy (which I’m so good at), etc. but instead I’m going to relax and do what I want to do.
I’m sure in a few years when I have kids, I’ll be dying for alone time. Time to just sit on the couch with a glass of wine and a good book. So tonight, I will do just that and enjoy.
xo xo
life lately.
{enjoying // breakfast (and mimosas) for dinner & a great girls night in}
{celebrating // Elsa’s first birthday}
{more celebrating // Jon and Ashley’s beautiful wedding}
{meeting // a country music legend, Garth Brooks !!!}
{eating // chicken + waffles for dinner}
xo xo
True Grit{s}
It’s a rare lazy Saturday in our household. One to cherish before Thanksgiving. The house is clean, reminding me of the relaxation that comes along with tidiness. The coffee is brewing, eliciting smells of vanilla nut and awareness of autumn comfort. The morning rain stirs suddenly and briskly, adding depth to the muted gray skies.
Faintly, I hear the sounds of husband and his ritualistic Saturday morning video games in the other room, but I sit peacefully alone thankful for the open day ahead.
Rustling through the kitchen to find something to subside the hunger pains, I find a leftover batch of 5-minute grits from the parents’ visit a few weekends ago. As we always say, if you don’t like grits, then you just haven’t had them cooked right.
So, I decided to cook ’em right.
To make grits less, well, gritty and more delicious, you just need five ingredients: salt, garlic, butter, cheese and a southern palate.
I don’t have a recipe to share, because I don’t quite know how much of everything goes in the recipe. This is where the southern palate comes in. But if you don’t have a southern palate and want to give it a try, I’ll give you this tip: Go sparingly on the garlic and heavily on the butter. (Did I grow up watching Paula Deen???)
Something my grandmother does with her grits, that I did not do this morning, was put the cheese on top, put it in a casserole dish and bake it in the oven for about 20 minutes. #DoesntGetBetterThanThat
From my southern family to yours, I hope your Saturday is just as restful and your grits are just as tasteful.
xo xo
Thankful.
I’m writing this post mostly for me. In no way am I trying to “humbly brag” about the amazing things in my life that I’m thankful for. Instead, I’m using this as a reminder to myself of how blessed I am even though it is so easy to forget.
Last year around this time I did daily posts about what I was thankful for each day, ranging from good food to clean sheets to “a busy August and a quiet September.” But this year I want to focus one thing I so easily take for granted: my job.
I have been at Walmart for a little over a year now. If you work at Walmart or know people who work at Walmart, one of the most common phrases people say about Walmart is that they get their moneys worth out of their associates, meaning it’s quite often long days, nights and weekends. We work hard for the money.
It’s often hard and stressful and frustrating, but as I’ve been looking back on my last year at Walmart I have been blessed in so many ways by this job. Now, I might have drank the kool-aid here, but bear with me. I’m not saying Walmart is the best company in the world to work for and I’m not saying I’ll work there my entire life, but I believe the experience I’ve gotten from one year of working there is unparalleled.
Let’s recap –
I’ve gotten to meet Drew Barrymore, Trey Songz, Kori Robertson and Steve Harvey. I will be meeting Garth Brooks and Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) next week.
I’ve gotten to see Miguel, Jill Scott and BEYONCE perform at Essence Festival, and Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Hugh Jackman and John Legend perform at Shareholders.
I’ve traveled to New Orleans, Cleveland, Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, Nashville and San Francisco – including spending a day at Facebook Headquarters, which was just as amazing as you’d think it is.
I LAUNCHED WALMART’S INSTAGRAM. I was given the opportunity and the support to develop the strategy and content to launch the hottest social channel for the Fortune 1 company. I will forever be thankful for that opportunity.
I’ve been more challenged than I ever have been and ever thought I would be, whether making presentations to senior executives or managing 21 women on a day to day basis.
But most importantly, I’ve built some incredible relationships. I truly love the people I work with every day, and I strive to make a positive difference in their life. I started a women’s prayer group on our floor that gives me so much hope every time we meet because the ladies are just so inspiring.
I could not be more thankful for where I am in my life right now and the job the Lord blessed me with a year ago. I have no clue what my future holds, but for now, I’m content.
xo xo
10 Reasons “The O.C.” Was The Best Teen Drama Ever on TV
After the show’s 10th anniversary a few months ago and after reading this Buzzfeed, I started reminiscing about my freshman year when I binge-watched the four seasons of The O.C. I immediately became obsessed. Coincidentally, I spent the following summer in California and visited Orange County for the first time. Since then, The O.C. has been one of my favorite shows of all time.
Just recently I started re-watching the series from season 1 and was reminded all over again why I LOVE the show. Below are 10 reasons The O.C. was the best teen drama ever on TV.
1. Seth and Summer – This has to be number one in every list. They are the perfect couple. Their relationship taught me a lot, namely that there’s so much more to a person than looks and it’s okay to have your own passions and go your own way. If you’re meant to be together, it will happen when it’s suppose to. Just recently, a friend told me and my husband we reminded him of Seth and Summer. #biggestcomplimentever
2. The O.C. Mix soundtracks and most importantly, the iconic theme song by Phantom Planet. I’m almost positive this is when indie music became mainstream (Death Cab, Spoon, Rooney, Imogen Heap – I could go on). Watch these 21 Most Important Music Moments From The O.C. and you will be transported back to the show.
3. Chrismukkah – Christmas + Hanukkah, the perfect Cohen holiday
4. Remember when Marissa’s mom slept with her ex-boyfriend, then married her current boyfriend’s kinda grandfather?It doesn’t get more scandalous than that.
5. Every season finale made me cry. That’s a pretty darn good show.
6. Sandy Cohen is literally the perfect father figure on TV
7. The O.C. is the most beautiful, perfect place to live – if you have a trust fund, a dysfunctional family and a beach house
8. Things the show made cool: sailing, bagels and schmear, indie bands, comic books, being an outcast, white muscle shirts, plastic horses as best friends – we love you Captain Oats and Princess Sparkles!
9. The original bromance: Seth and Ryan ❤ ❤ ❤
10. Seth Cohen, a walking one-liner who spoke fast and furiously, doling out pop culture references and witticisms faster than Ryan could throw a punch. (I did not write that, but it was too perfect not to share!)
“Welcome to The O.C., bitch!”
xo
You might also enjoy: How One Tree Hill Saved My Marriage
Weekend Picturebook: Halloween, Birthdays & Football
This weekend was a BUSY one, rolling right off of a busy week for Halloween. (Fun fact: Walmart Home Office does Halloween like you’ve never seen. #amazing) I’m pretty sure every weekend will be busy until 2014, but this one was special in that we had 5 guests in town none of which had never been to a Razorback game. My parents invited some of their friends they’ve been working with in Ohio to Northwest Arkansas for the weekend – coming in from Ohio, West Virginia and Texas. It was a great weekend with lots of laughs, good food and beautiful weather. (We won’t mention the Hogs’ loss.)
As our guests were coming in town Friday, we also had another commitment that night – my mother-in-law’s surprise 50th birthday party that turned out just perfect. Enjoy some photos below from the weekend!
* * * * *
{Started the weekend off with a bang for Halloween – at work and home}
{SURPRISE! What a beautiful birthday party for my beautiful mother-in-law!}
{Saturday am: had to take our guests to Crystal Bridges, 21c and Downtown Bentonville}
{The girls ready for the game!}
{Second surprise of the weekend – our “bus” to Fayetteville was a limo!}
{LOVE this photo of my parents! Happy to have them home for a few days}
Hope you had a great fall weekend! Our next weekend adventure features a 1-year-old birthday party and a wedding!
xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock, Weekend Picturebook: St. Louis
My Weekend Was:
the opposite of last weekend
spending time with friends
a successful October girls happy hour
random, in a great way
finding a new nighttime hangout
celebrating our favorite brewery’s first birthday
touring Texans around Bentonville
eating lots and lots of tacos
beautiful
jumbling towers + blockus + more beer
excitement for a friend and her world tour
doing something for someone simply because it will make their day
relaxing on the couch with my old friends in the O.C.
xo xo
Dolce Far Niente
This weekend was quiet.
I mean, so quiet that at one point Husband and I tried to take a nap (without success) because we didn’t have anything else to do.
The musings of my blog are typically all about our busyness. Busyness at work, busyness traveling, busyness with this event, that birthday party, this dinner with friends.
But this weekend was a collective breathe out. There was no busyness. We still had specific things to do at specific times Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, but the days were filled with nothing.
I cleaned. I cooked. I read magazines, I read books. I worked. I went on a run. I went grocery shopping. I watched a movie. I looked at the clock and wondered how this was happening.
The sad thing about our culture is that we equate busyness with happiness and success. We don’t think we deserve to have a moment without being busy and if we do, we feel guilty about it.
All weekend I kept trying to think of more things to do. I never have this much time, so there’s definitely things I should be doing. Not once did it cross my mind to just sit. Relax. Pray.
Next time you have a moment to spare, take a deep breath and remember dolce far niente.
Enjoy the quiet. Enjoy the peace. Enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing.
xo xo
m.davis xoxo 