10 teensy things that make me happy.
1. Immediately taking my heels off when walking in the front door after a long day.
2. When my favorite song comes on the radio.
3. Crawling into a clean, made bed.
4. Opening the sunroof.
5. That first sip of Diet Coke (every day).
6. Getting something unexpected in the mail.
7. Starting a fresh book. (A real one, not on an e-reader)
8. Putting the last dish in the dishwasher before turning it on. (Very strange, I know)
9. A smell that reminds me of a specific memory.
10. When husband sends flowers to brighten my day. (Okay this isn’t so teensy, but just made me so so happy today.)
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 10 things you probably don’t know about me, but should., 10 things I love about my life right now.
I need the smell of summer, I need its noises in my ear.
Who else is starting to feel those winter blues and blahs? The past week has just been darn right cold. And when we got all excited we would at least get some snow out of the cold (See: Grownup Snow Days) it brought half an inch. Ugh.
I’m ready for the sun.
I’m ready to sweat.
I’m ready to have my happy hour by the pool.
I’m ready to go on a summer vacation.
Can I get an amen?
Whatever the weather is where you are, let’s take a little mental vacation together to the good ol’ days of summer …
Ahhh, don’t you feel at least a little bit better now? I know I’m ready for a Pina Colada.
xo xo
2013: be happy.
“I have decided to be happy, because it is good for my health.” – Voltaire
* * *
I’m typically against New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I’ve decided just to go about it in a different way. Instead of listing the same things I want to do every year (lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, read more, save more, etc. etc.) I’m making one goal, that if done every day, will lead to all of these things. Be Happy.
Is this too simplistic? Or just simplistic enough? If you think about it, it can change everything, if we work to be happy every single day. It will affect the choices I make and the person I become. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but this morning I read my dear friend Nicky’s blog and she shared this quote from the book Eat, Pray, Love and it is just perfect for my 2013 goal.
“People universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you’re fortunate enough. But that’s not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”
Brilliant and true. I can’t tell you exactly what my 2013 will look like, or if I’ll lose weight, save more, read more, but if I end up being truly happy every single day, what more could I really ask for?
xo xo
***
You might also enjoy: 2012: resolutions via Kate Spade
life lately: July
Traveled 1,732 miles
Found a new favorite place in Fayetteville, Tanglewood Branch Beer Co.
Celebrated husband’s birthday four times
Taste-tested for a new food truck coming to NWA
Wrote 8 articles for AY Magazine
Enjoyed my first family reunion
Books read: Fifty Shades Darker and started Fifty Shades Freed
Movies watched: Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Rises, Moonrise Kingdom, People Like Us, Old School, Magic Mike
TV Shows watched: finished The Big Bang Theory, started White Collar
Re-connected with several old friends
Partied in Dallas for my best friend’s bachelorette party
Colored my hair ombre
Learned about a couple’s mission work in Jordan and how we can support them
Rejoiced that a dear friend moved home from across the country
Experienced my first mineral bath in natural springs
Ate: the best margherita pizza, grandmother’s grits casserole, bachelorette party cupcakes, baby shower cupcakes, birthday cake X2, tuna tartare, margarita popsicles
Joined the YMCA, and have successfully been … twice.
Danced, in a burlesque fashion
2012: resolutions via Kate Spade
Dear Kate Spade,
How do you know me so well? How did you so perfectly capture my 2012 resolutions that I couldn’t seem to form into words? Well, no matter that now, but thank you.
P.S. My birthday is this month, and if you’re searching for something to get me, Kate Spade will do ♥
2011: my year in pictures
{Sugar Bowl – January}
{Happy 22nd Birthday to me! – January}
{Wedding showers! – March}
{Randomly met Donald Glover (I thought it was a big deal!) – March}
{Bachelorette party to remember – April}
{Got a big girl job! – May}
{We’re college graduates! – May}
{First comes love, then comes marriage – May}
{Honeymooning in Aruba – June}
{Summertime at the Ranch}
{Got a second job – Associate Editor of NWA, AY magazine – September}
{Visiting the parents in Colorado – September}
{Christmas with two wonderful families – December}
{Celebrating 2011 – NYE}
Happy New Year, friends! I wish you peace, love and joy for 2012.
All I Want For Christmas…
… is my two front teeth!
I’m decked out in the Christmas spirit – I’ve had one Christmas party thus far, a company-wide holiday luncheon + fun holiday meeting with America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., our newlywed apartment is filled with holiday decor, I’ve already watched Elf once this season and most importantly, had the pleasure of serving families in need this season with my team at the Salvation Army.
But, what is it I really want for Christmas? That’s easy. “All I want for Christmas is you.” Simple, cheesy, I know. But it’s the truth, and I am so blessed to have my ultimate Christmas gift by my side forever and this year as my HUSBAND!
As we all search for the perfect gifts for our friends and family, let’s remember that it’s more important to cherish and spend time with them. Throw a party, invite them to coffee or after-work drinks and share the spirit with love this season. I may be sappy, but I’m in a sappy mood this evening – partially because of the videos below and partially because I get to spend the evening with the person I love. Our Friday night agenda? A night in – cooking dinner together (steak, fresh green beans + leftover mahi mahi) and relaxing on the couch with a movie.
Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Oh, and watch the videos below to get into the Christmas spirit.
{the Biebs is one of my guilty pleasures}
{Oh Glee, how I love thee}
{What is Christmas really all about?}
C’est la vie
It’s been a crazy, fabulous, ridiculous, stressful, exciting, reminiscent, tiring week. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This week’s recap in lessons learned.
1. You can sleep when your dead.
2. One text/phone call/email can make the world of a difference to someone.
3. Sometimes reconnecting with old friends is exactly what you need.
- 2007 – growing up with fabulous friends
4. Whether people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime, cherish each of them.
5. A sunday dinner, whether with a big family or a lone newlywed couple, is the perfect way to start a week.
6. Risk it all and just say yes.
7. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. *truly a life motto
8. Best friends are for life, no matter what gets in the way.
bridesmaids & best friends
9. You can have more fun at a janky bowling alley than a fancy party if you’re with the right people.
10. Don’t judge something simply because you don’t understand it.
11. Relax.
12. Never stop learning – about yourself, your significant other, your family, your friends, the world around you.
13. Don’t be complacent. Don’t be afraid to dream. Don’t forget your passions. Don’t quit.
14. To art enthusiasts and newsies around the world, Bentonville, Arkansas is no longer simply Bentonville, Arkansas.
- Crystal Bridges Museum of Art
15. “Success, people praising you, it all goes away.. and when that day comes, if you dont like who you’ve become, you’re done.” – Rufus Humphrey, Gossip Girl
My Weekend Was:
{Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs}
*seeing a new band with old friends – Andy Frasco, I love you.
*dancing like nobody’s watching ’til the wee hours with my best friend
*spending a full day in my pajamas on the couch, only leaving the apt for ice cream
*two fabulous impromptu afternoon naps
*incredible steak dinner cooked by the hubby
*a beautiful drive through the Ozarks to Eureka Springs
*driving through historic downtown windows down, 70 degrees, playing O.C. soundtrack – perfection
*a much-needed afternoon getaway with the husband + a reminder of God’s beauty all around us
*Sunday night – getting ready for the crazy week ahead with Desperate Housewives + late night hot tub
05.28.11
Our wedding pictures have finally arrived! Below is a snapshot of my perfect day.
*
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
– Colossians 3:12 – 17
{Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks}
{story time with my girls to calm my nerves}
{BFFL}
{so darn cute}
{olivia + emma + zoe = most adorable flower girls ever}
{my new father-in-law}
{what a studly group of men}
{the best part of the bride walking down the aisle – watching the groom}
{so many emotions}
{maid of honor + best man}
{best bridesmaids a girl could ask for}
{so epic}
{“I’ve only waited 7 years for this!”}
{beautiful mother}
{first dance}
{I definitely get my dance skills from my dad}
{my new parents-in-law}
{most incredible speech I’ve ever heard}
{bromance}
{time to party}
{so much dancing}
{and it comes off}
{pink mustang getaway car}
{one of my favorite parts of the night}
{Aruba here we come!}
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and finally the wedding video, which shows the entire evening so perfectly.
Weekend Picturebook: Colorado
The husband and I took a weekend trip to Colorado to see my parents in Loveland. Ask him how the trip was, and he’ll tell you without hesitation he’s ready to move, and after this trip, I’m inclined to agree.
{Loveland}
{Taking a shopping break with a ‘Rado brew}
{Pearl St. – Boulder}
{Red Rocks Ampitheater – unfortunately, I did not take this picture, but had to share the beauty}
{STS9 at Red Rocks – an experience we’ll never forget}
{ “cutest” Bloody Mary I’ve ever seen}
{the bike library – Ft. Collins}
{evening picnic}
{thank you Whole Foods for a delicious, unconventional picnic}
{Mom and her second baby Roxie}
{beautiful morning walk – goodbye Loveland, we will be back soon}
Hello, Monday
I love Monday nights. How could you not? Mondays are… Mondays, so the relaxation that comes after 5pm is better than any other day (except Friday of course.) Agreed?
Last Monday was spent catching up with two beautiful gals over wine about college, weddings, husbands/boyfriends/fiances, big girl jobs and life. This week? Relaxation with my latest therapy, The Hills.
Oh, and not to mention Gossip Girl and the new Rachel Bilson show Hart of Dixie are on Monday nights starting very soon. ❤
Thank GOD it’s Friday
Can I get an Amen to TGIF? It has been one of those weeks. Though I’m lazing on a Friday night, the weekend is full of fun surprises trying to stay busy while the husband is away and getting in much needed time with my girls – Saturday brunch with one of my oldest and dearest, Saturday afternoon shopping and rendezvous with my always exciting bff and Sunday decorating and gossiping with my lovely {practically} twin. And of course the much anticipated Sunday night when the husband comes home from a week away. Oh weekend, I love you.
A few lovely pics and thoughts for your weekend:
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you will be criticized anyway.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the woman I wanted to become.” – Diane Von Furstenberg
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder
My weekend was:
*dinner with friends and developing our reality show “Pinnacle Hills”
*the start of a birthday week celebration for the husband
*shopping, including a handsome new Diesel watch and a gorgeous new Gianni Bini bag
*reconnecting with old friends, ones which you can sit and talk to for hours and it passes in a blink of an eye
*planning – a trip to Dallas, a trip to CO and a sad going-away party
*1 of 3 birthday dinners for the husband with his new in-laws
*relaxation with my friends on Wisteria Lane
*solving mysteries with the husband, Castle and Beckett (blogpost to come on what this tv show has taught me)
*sleeping in and taking naps, how much better could it get?
*fantastic.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry: Life Lessons from an Aruban Honeymoon
1. Never underestimate the advice of a cab driver.
2. While on vacation, leave behind social media as well. Nothing on Twitter and Facebook are that important. Be in the moment.
3. Do what you want to do on vacation – even if that’s laying on the beach all week and only moving to flip over or for Happy Hour.
4. Make it a habit to ask for one piece of marriage advice from couples who’ve been married longer than you.
5. You will be gouged for food and drink while on vacation. Get over it, and enjoy. (It will be worth it to live on cheese and crackers for a few weeks when you get home)
6. Always, always pack a snack and a blanket for a plane ride – even if you don’t have kids, and especially if you have a husband with a teenager’s metabolism.
7. You can always learn something new about someone else, no matter how long you’ve known them.
8. A book can be a great companion. (Side recommendation: The Girl with the Pearl Earring)
9. If there is a specialty drink popular to your location, live like the natives and drink up.
10. Don’t get too caught up in taking pictures. The best memories are unforgettable.
11. A room that’s always clean is the sign of a wasted life.
12. Go off the beaten path, preferably in jeep wrangler, and you’ll really get to experience beauty.
13. Don’t be that American. Learn about the history of other cultures while visiting them.
14. Eat the irresistible gelato two nights in a row. It won’t kill you, or make you fat.
15. Honeymooners are always recognizable – especially ones with “youthful exuberance.”
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed
Last time I saw you bloggers, I was “An Apple A Day.” Don’t be alarmed, this blog will be very similar – simply chronicling a new life and due to a new last name, we had to part ways.
As an introduction to the new blog, here’s a tidbit about me:
Recently married to my highschool sweetheart.
Recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Journalism.
Recently employed at Sam’s Club as Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator.
My life is changing from a single girl livin’ it up in college to an eight to five working girl who’s just trying to figure out life in between.
This is my blog of all things mille – love, faith, fashion, food, adventure and life.
*
I’ve thoroughly missed blogging. I’ve seen pictures, recipes, advice, inspiration and so much love that I wanted to share with you. To make up for it, my goal is to post something every day this week. (Hey, we’ve got a lot to catch up on. I’m MARRIED!)
Get excited. My theme for tomorrow?
Life Lessons From An Aruban Honeymoon
No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch
I’ve gotten back into the habit of running this week and in all honesty it’s been GLORIOUS. I’ve had so much more energy, by body feels great and it just makes me happier. So, I’ve decided to share with you the top songs on my ultimate running playlist to inspire you to get your body moving! And please share some of your favorite inspirational running songs!
1. Never Say Never, Justin Bieber
2. Get Me Bodied (Extended Remix), Beyonce
3. Did It Again (Remix), Shakira + Kid Cudi
4. Bottoms Up, Trey Songz + Nicki Minaj
5. Dog Days Are Over, Florence and The Machine
6. Like a G6, Far East Movement
7. Can’t Be Tamed, Miley Cyris
8. E.T., Katy Perry + Kanye West
9. Raining Men, Rihanna + Nicki Minaj
10. Freaks and Geeks, Childish Gambino
Happy Running,
XOXO
My Weekend was:
Michael Jackson Dance Experience (video to come soon)
Date night, Carrabbas + laughing in the rain + opening surprise wedding gifts + Modern Family
Farmers Market, tulips + puppies + coffee + bonding
A Couples shower + learning more about the dear bride & groom
Presidents & Assholes — watch out world, there’s a new prez coming at ya for 2012
Excitement for a newly engaged beloved friend
Tanning, at the baseball game.. Did we win?
Blogging + Napping as a Sunday procrastination method
Girlfriends
The best I’ve had in a long time
XOXO
Happy Friday
It’s been a long, cold, rainy, depressing week.
And then came along Friday (I’m refraining from singing the song here, you’re welcome.) The sun’s out, the windows are rolled down and everyone remembers what spring feels like again.
For some of us, though the beautiful day beckons there is still so much work to be done and we’ll hold out until summer to really feel the warm release.
So for those of you stuck inside today, here’s some video entertainment. Hope you enjoy.
{Watch the whole thing, or at least get about halfway through to the rap part. Trust me, it’s worth it.}
Taylor Swift ft. T-Pain – Thug Story from Antoine Pham on Vimeo.
{Hopefully you’ve all seen this, but if you haven’t, it’s probably the No. 1 reason why Taylor Swift is my all-time favorite.}
{We saw Donald Glover, on the right, on campus last night and his stand-up was hilarious. He also did some of his rapping for us, which was awesome. To hear his raps, check out my story on the UATrav website.}
Also, check out my new quote of the week on the top right of the home page.
XOXO
Note to Self
I reached a breaking point today.
I realized how much work I have ahead of me in the last month of school. I realized I’m almost done with school forever. No more summer breaks. No more month-long Christmas breaks. No more spring breaks. I’ll be in the real world with a real job. And then there’s just that, a job, which I don’t have. Terrifying.
I think I’m making myself physically sick.
So instead of more rambling about my stress that will only make me more stressed, I wanted to stop and focus on the wonderful things in my life right now, because somehow I keep forgetting about them. Even though I’m pretty sure I’ve blogged this exact same post before, I need reassurance and reminders over and over and over and this is my way to de-stress. And again as much as I want you to read this and get something out of it, this blog is really for me.
*
What I’m thankful for right now…
I have a roof over my head, food to eat and clean water to drink.
and if I didn’t have those things, I would have plenty of people to provide them for me.
I have people in my life who really care about me. I have someone I can call or text or drop by to see at any time — to complain to, to share good news with, to cry with, to laugh with, to simply be with.
As much as I forget it, not everyone has that.
I’m getting married in less than 70 days.
Though the rest of my future is uncertain, that’s the one thing I know I have, and goodness, that makes things so much easier.
I’m healthy.
Yes, I get headaches more often than I wish. And some days I feel nauseous or my stomach hurts or my feet hurt, but I don’t have to live with a disease that affects my life. I can do anything I want without even thinking about it.
I’m blessed financially.
I’m not living from one paycheck to another. I’m not worrying about how I’m going to feed myself. I’m not worrying about the bills getting paid on time.
*
The most important thing to remember about being blessed with all these things is how I use them.
Do I give back financially like I could? Do I complain too much about my aches and pains? Do I show how thankful I am to the people around me and tell them how much they mean to me? Do I groan at having to drink tap water when some people have no water?
Looking at everything I have and everyone I have in my life, my life seems almost perfect. Why complain about a silly old thesis when the death toll is rising in Japan and people can’t find their families or have nowhere to go with no food to eat?
Yes, we all know this already. But another reminder can never hurt.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” -Luke 12:48
What I’ve Learned in College, Snow Days Edition
Snow days have quite possibly been some of the highlights of my college career, starting with Ice Storm ’09 which was the week of my birthday and resulted in about 10 people staying in our 2 bedroom apartment for 5 days. Best. Week. Ever.
Then there was Snow Storm ’10 which was, again, the week of my birthday, and this time there were again about 10 people under one roof, though we had upgraded to a 5 person house.
And now, #nwasnow11 with me tucked away inside a 2 bedroom apartment with 3 guys for 3 days. (That could very well be a blog post all on its own)
So here’s what I’ve learned in my three years of college snow days…
Day 1 of 5 of Ice Storm '09
1. Whatever the situation, and whoever you are with, make the most of it.
2. Snow days can turn a person inside out- crazy, if you will.
3. Though the Internet is infinite, there is not enough there to sustain you for days when you’re trapped inside a house.
4. Board games are one of the best inventions.
5. So is sleeping.
6. You cannot, I repeat, cannot eat healthy on snow days, no matter how hard you try.
7. I could never live with a household of guys.
Album Cover?
8. As much as I want to go outside and play in the snow, I will always complain that I’m cold.
9. Alone time is underrated.
10. Prepare for the worst, expect for the best.
11. You can do whatever you set your mind to. (Such as walking 2.2 miles in the snow just for pizza)
12. Don’t eat yellow snow.
13. Pack some snow in a bucket, put it in your freezer and save it for July. You will wish it was winter again.
14. I am not, and never will be, a video gamer.
Ice Storm '09- Mario to the death
15. A pot of pasta can go a long way.
16. Snow day/week inside jokes are the best.
17. Spend a snow day however you want to.
5 Minutes
My soul was unexpectedly revived this morning with a beautiful, inspirational blog post from a beautiful, inspirational friend. She mentions the website Reverb10 as a place to find prompts for introspection from the last year. Yes, I have already done a 2010 reflection post and yes it is nearly a month into 2011, but I want to do anything I can to make sure that years down the road I remember the important steps taken to get me where I am. So, I’ve chosen the prompt:
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)
21st birthday: snow, friends, cops, fights, dancing, love. Vegas. Paris Hilton. seeing the reconstruction of old friendships and building new ones. making your own family wherever you are. game nights: wine, catchphrase, laughing, things, telephone pictionary. learning to let go. the importance of phone dates. learning to re-appreciate my parents. the look in my fiance’s eyes as he proposed. learning to love new people. LA. finding passions: children, human trafficking. weddings. moving and the excitedness that comes with it. the sweetness of doing nothing. the birth of a beautiful child that came to be my godchild.Veronica Mars. community group. the joys of finishing french. having a puppy in the house. realizing who is really important in my life. continually seeing God’s hand in my life.
Confession: I re-set the timer for another 5 minutes after the first one went off. This is way harder than it looks, and I know I didn’t even come close to everything I would want to remember from 2010.
2010: my year in pictures
What a year 2010 has been. As I grow older (I’m almost 22!) I’m losing my memory rapidly, and I would love to use this blog as a scrapbook of sorts. So, let’s begin the year’s highlights with one of the most memorable moments of my year. My 21st birthday party.
Fake snow, lots of friends, dancing the night away, cops (X 3), and a fight in the middle of the street. Could I have had a more memorable 21st?
And the best birthday present? I got to go see my favorite singer, Taylor Swift, in concert in LA with my mom!
This summer, I was in my first wedding as one of my dearest friends from high school got married in Virginia. It was a beautiful ceremony at her parents’ house, and truly an international wedding as she married a charming man from Belarus. (And this year that same weekend she will be in my very own wedding!)
Which brings me to…. my engagement! By far, the best memory of my 2010 was Sunday, September 26. I am so very thankful for my incredible fiance and can’t wait to finally call him my husband this year! What a very special day this was that he had planned out so perfectly, first spending hours together in the park with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, then with a surprise (and I was VERY surprised) engagement party on the patio of Noodles. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
Of course I can’t go without mentioning all of the awesome trips I’ve been on this year. Vegas, for business and pleasure. Minneapolis, for business (and we threw in some pleasure.) North and South Dakota, a unique spring break trip. Harry Potter World, more amazing than I could have even dreamed. And ending the year off right in Florida, a final trip with just my parents.
2011, you’ve already brought me a trip to New Orleans and the promise of a marriage to my best friend. I can’t wait to see what else lies ahead.
m.davis xoxo 