life lately
So I’m breaking my streak of posting life lately every two weeks, as I just posted one last week. I have good reason, but I’ll get to that a little later. First, here’s a little bit of my life lately…
{readjusting to normalcy after a fun weekend getaway in STL}
{working with Drew Barrymore while she’s in town to promote her cosmetics line, FLOWER, at Walmart}
{Happy hour at The Hive, drink of choice Five + Dime}
{obsessed with this}
* * *
I’ll be going off the blogging radar for a few weeks. Well, really, probably the everything radar unless I work with you or have specific plans for you. We’re starting a media fast Sunday. (I’m terrified) I’ll be blogging more about that tomorrow. But for now, it’s time for a House of Cards binge before it all begins.
xo xo
What’s in a Happy Hour?
Age 8 – 22: Happy hour consists of two things – Sonic + an obscenely large drink
Before you could drive it was all dependent on whether your parents would take you to happy hour on the way home from school. Those days consisted mostly of Cherry Limeades, Slushies and Ocean Water, before you got into the hard stuff.
Then you get into high school and you either you have cool friends who can drive or an older boyfriend. You have more leeway here than with your parents, able to persuade friends with the promise of an ice cold drink with the best ice ever.
Once you can drive you realize you can go to happy hour whenever you want, but it’s not nearly as much fun by yourself. (see similarities to second happy hour below) So in college when you’re heading home from class or out running errands with your roommates and you see what time it is (2-4pm) it’s a must.
Sonic happy hour to me = summer, sunroof down, loud music, great friends and the hard stuff – a super extra large Diet Coke. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
Age 22 – ?: Happy hour consists of two things – great atmosphere + adult beverage
Before graduating college and getting a 8-5(ish) job, I didn’t understand happy hour. Happy hour is 4-6? What kind of time frame was that? Who wanted to go get a drink at that time? Then I got a job and by the time 5 o’clock rolled around, I totally understood.
I’ll never forget my first “real” happy hour almost two years ago. One of my best friend’s and I started working “real” jobs and met up at a bar in Rogers after work. We felt so adult. It was such a novel idea at the time.
Fast forward two years later and happy hour is an almost weekly staple. I’ve had happy hours with co-workers, girlfriends, college friends, even meeting husband every once in a while. Sometime’s it’s at the Gucci Gas Station, sometimes beautiful patios. For birthdays (see husband’s 25th below), for job celebrations, for just because.
I officially started a standing Monthly Girls Happy Hour in 2013 and so far it’s been a hit. We switch up the place every month and whoever can come comes and can invite whoever. It’s a great way to stay connected and end the workday or workweek.
What is it about happy hour that makes you feel so happy? It might be the atmosphere, it might be the drink (whether Diet Coke or wine), it might be the end of day timing. I really think its all those things combined with the single perfect ingredient – the people you’re with.
xo xo
life lately
{marveling at snowy days}
{celebrating a friend’s birthday}
{breakfast with penguins, 21c museum hotel}
{volunteering at Havenwood gala}
{remnants of an Oscars party}
* * *
Things never slow down in the Alderman household (if you’ve havent realized that yet) and they’re not slowing down this weekend. Tonight we’re headed to St. Louis to visit a dear friend and see a {hopefully} fantastic musical. I’ll share all the details when we return. Happy weekend, friends!
xo xo
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
Grownup Snow Days
You go to bed wishing, hoping, praying. You can barely sleep all night. You wake up in the middle of the night and run to the window to see what it looks like outside. You wake up at 5am, turn on the TV and watch for your school at the bottom of the screen. You’re hoping for a SNOW DAY.
I remember those nights growing up all too well. Since we don’t get a lot of snow here when we do it basically shuts everything down and you’re pretty much guaranteed at least one snow day a winter.
Those were the elementary school, jr. high and high school days. No school = play day/snow day/fun day.
{said play day/snow day/fun day senior year of high school}
Then you get to college.
I’ll never forget my sophomore year we were expecting a huge ice storm. The UA kept sending out emails saying they hadn’t closed school for snow/ice ever. (Maybe it wasn’t ever, but it was like 30 years or something crazy.) So I wasn’t expecting school to be cancelled and I definitely wasn’t expecting school to be cancelled for a week, but that’s certainly what happened – The Great Ice Storm of 2009. There are a lot of things I’ll never forget about that week. Let’s just put it this way, we were the only people who had power so we had about 10-12 people staying with us for a week. Infer from that what you will.
While that was awesome, it wasn’t quite as exciting as snow days growing up because guess what your assignments are still due the same day they were due before the ice-pocalypse. Your teachers can email you. You can email assignments to your teachers. Sometimes I curse technological advancements.
{a huge part of The Great Ice Storm of 2009 was beating Mario on Nintendo 64}
We actually ended up having two more of these storms while I was in college, not near as bad as 2009, but just as entertaining. During Snow Storm 2010 I’ll never forget is walking 2 miles to Gusano’s for pizza. Totally worth it.
Read my blog post “What I’ve Learned in College, Snow Days Edition” here.
{Snow Storm 2010 walk to Gusano’s}
But here’s the thing. I’m not in high school any more. I’m not in college any more. I’m not a kid waiting by the window any more. Now I’m an adult with a real job that doesn’t close because of snow or ice. We have computers. We have blackberrys. We have deadlines and projects and social media. (which never sleeps!) A snow day does not mean a play day anymore. So as I watch the snow out the window and read about the impending overnight ice, it’s not quite as exciting as it use to be. But hey, c’est la vie, and one thing I am looking forward to is the day I have kids of my own and I get to see their excitement for a snow day.
xo xo
life lately
{quick trip to West Palm Beach was all work & no play, but at least there were palm trees}
{monthly girls happy hour, Ruth’s Chris}
{Olli wore these girls out on their Saturday night playdate}
{a gorgeous Sunday afternoon calls for open sunroof + ice cream}
{beautiful expression of love from my husband on Valentine’s Day}
* * *
We have a busy weekend ahead including celebrating Valentine’s Day with home-cooked steak, exploring a new Bentonville hot spot, catching up with friends in from out of town and a Sunday chic flick matinee.
What are you up to this weekend?
xo xo
Sit. Breathe. Enjoy.
Do you ever have those weeks where you feel like you’re going nonstop? Nonstop 8-5, nonstop after 5, nonstop for as long as you can see in the foreseeable future? We’ve had one of those weeks and they can be so draining. (We haven’t even caught up on Revenge for goodness sake!) In honor of this week and many more to come for us and you, I’ve compiled a few tidbits be they interesting, funny, enlightening, heart-warming,
because sometimes you just need to sit. breathe. enjoy.
Rules to New Girl’s True American
Must watch for anyone who uses Instagram
Giving up gluten for Lent & this article solidifies why – NYT
Big Bang Theory Flash Mob
Binge -TV watch much? Yes.
Oscar party menu inspiration.
Keeping up with New York Fashion Week here.
14 hotel restaurant views worth dining for.
xo xo
Olli’s first puppy shoot
Okay, so he didn’t have a real puppy shoot with a real photographer and real background choices and real costumes, but don’t put that past me. He did however have quite a few pictures taken of him this morning as he was just being so sweet and giving me that “model” look. You’ll see what I mean. Anyway, my baby turns 6 months tomorrow so happy almost half birthday to him.
Enjoy some puppy cuteness.
{the Saturday morning}
{the lazy lounge}
{the zoolander}
{the suspicious one}
{the sleepy eye}
{the ninja}
{the couch cutie}
How did I get so lucky?? xo xo
You might also enjoy: Puppy Love
#throwbackthursday
Throwback Thursday – When people post photos from the past on social media channels, most commonly Instagram.
* * *
I love Throwback Thursday. I love sharing my own photos and I love seeing everyone else’s – the older the better, and funnier! I thought I’d share some of my favorite #throwbackthursday photos I’ve posted on Instagram so you could join in the fun.
{high school sweethearts}
{Go Tigers!}
{Bentonville’s Next Top Models}
{age 3}
{first trip together, Canada}
{mother-daughter trip to San Diego}
xo xo
just a few things.
After a whirlwind Vegas weekend two weeks ago, this week I headed to West Palm Beach, FL to experience my first ever commercial shoot. It was challenging, but interesting and always fun to do something different. Next month I’m off to Cleveland!
* * *
During my travels, I found this via Lauren Conrad. What a great idea to give up something different every month?? I wish I’d found this sooner, but nevertheless I’m starting No-Fried February! So look forward to the aches, pains (and hopefully positives) that come out of this experience. Husband and I are also working on an exercise plan I’m going to share with you and see if you will join us in our journey. More to come on that.
* * *
Books, books, books. I’m trying to read more because when I do read and finish a really good book, it is just so gratifying. I recently finished Where We Belong and Where’d You Go Bernadette, both of which I’d recommend. However, I made an impulse buy in the West Palm Beach airport knowing I had a 2 1/2 hour flight ahead – Bossypants. I finished it on the plane and absolutely loved it. Every page was hilarious, and if I hadn’t been on a plane I would have been laughing out loud the entire book. Tina Fey does a tremendous job of providing hilarity, wit and advice. As if I didn’t already love her before thanks to Mean Girls, SNL and 30 Rock, now I adoooore her.
* * *
The second book is one I just picked up that husband and I will be reading together as part of our new couples Bible study. 7 – An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess is a challenge to cut down areas of excess in life: food. clothes. spending. media. possessions. waste. stress. I hope to share our challenges with you and inspire you to do the same.
* * *
Oh, and if you don’t follow me on instagram, (first, you should: @milledavis) here’s another tidbit you missed…
Adorable Adam Brody from The O.C. meets fashionista beauty Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl = cutest new couple ever!
xo xo
life lately.
life lately: bi-weekly posts that give you a peek into my world of late.
{celebrating // with the in-laws, at work, with the girls}
{marveling // at Crystal Bridges for an innovation conference}
{playing // Sunday Funday with the pups + hubs}
{inspiring // new favorite quote}
{eating // mini chicken + waffles at work Super Bowl party}
{enjoying // personality profile via}
* * *
After finishing my Three Week Cooking Challenge, I’m determined to challenge myself in other areas as I’ve realized blogging is a great accountability partner. But what should I do, fitness? fashion? reading?
Let me know what you think!
xo xo
life lately
{reading this// almost done and so so good, but creepy!}
{playing this // lunchtime hide & seek}
{wearing this// working from home dress code}
{and while husband is away … // Rockfish Hackathon – read more here}
{wife will play// girls night in prep}
xo xo
P.S. 7 days until my birthday! and Vegas! my birthday in Vegas!
You might also enjoy: Life Lately {holiday edition}, Life Lately {12.21}, Life Lately {9.15}
32 Things You Should Stop Caring About // Thought Catalog
I’ve mentioned once before in my blog how much I love Thought Catalog. It’s a blog of collective thoughts about relatable, relevant non-fiction. Almost every time I read one they are spot on. and hilarious. I read this one this morning and had to share because it is so.damn.true. I always need these reminders, and hopefully you can gain something out of it too.
[Favorites bolded]
* * *
1. Your ex. (Yes, really, once more with feeling.) Your ex.
2. Whether someone thinks that the literature, music, art, film, or any other kind of entertainment you enjoy isn’t cool.
3. When someone looks at the food you’re eating and comments on how it isn’t good for you. (THAT IS WHY I ORDERED CHILI FRIES BITCH PASS ME THE RANCH DRESSING)
4. What the people you don’t like post on their Facebook status (why are you even still friends with them?).
5. Getting/maintaining a tan.
6. Which celebrity’s breasts are exposed this week.
7. Which celebrity is cheating on which other celebrity.
8. The opinions of people who a) will never like you and b) have absolutely no bearing on your life.
9. Whether or not you look as good as some random, well-dressed stranger on the subway.
10. Who is making more money than you, or how much exactly you think that they are making.
11. The fact that you are perceived as not as sexually appealing as a picture of a celebrity or model that has been put through so many rounds of makeup and Photoshop as to be rendered little more than a cartoon.
12. Reality television stars, how much sex they are having (and with whom), and whether or not they decide to start a family.
13. Whether people you know are getting married, having children, or making big life changes when it either hasn’t happened to you yet or you don’t want it to happen at all.
14. The social lives of people who don’t invite you out places.
15. What negative thing a critic has to say about a film you really enjoyed.
16. The fact that friends are going to make harmless decisions that we wouldn’t necessarily make for ourselves. (They are there for your love and companionship, not to have another parent.)
17. What people are going to think about the clothes that we really enjoy wearing.
18. What someone might be saying behind your back (the answer is almost invariably that they aren’t even thinking about you).
19. The path that everyone else thinks that it would be “appropriate” or “practical” for you to take, especially if that path doesn’t make you happy.
20. Whether or not your hobbies, interests, or personality make you “masculine” or “feminine” enough.
21. How many followers you have on Twitter.
22. Being the only one without a significant other at a given event.
23. Having the same IKEA furniture as all your other 20-something friends who have IKEA furniture. We’re all in the IKEA furniture phase, okay? It doesn’t make us bad people.
24. Changing your personality when you hang out with someone who you can feel doesn’t like you.
25. Eating salads on dates. (Can I get this burger literally wrapped in bacon, please?)
26. Not being as well dressed as all of the beautiful models doing impossibly twee activities that people keep reblogging on Tumblr.
27. Not being found attractive by someone who is not even remotely worth your time.
28. Whether or not you cry during movies that are somewhat embarrassing to cry during, such as The Notebook. (Oh my god, but seriously, when they have to subdue her and Noah is crying and, oh my god, the feelings.)
29. Watching your former bullies become train wrecks via Facebook (though I will admit that that shit is pretty satisfying.)
30. Hitting your life milestones at the “right” moments.
31. Proving to people who aren’t willing to listen that you are an okay person who is happy and whole.
32. Trying to convince your friends/acquaintances to start watching Breaking Bad**. If they’re not going to do it, it’s their loss, dude.
** or in my case – Revenge, Scandal, The Walking Dead, etc. etc.
A few other Thought Catalog favorites: How to be a 20-Something, I Went To An Adult Christmas Party, 42 Life Lessons from Mean Girls, I Want To Be A White Girl Rapper
xo xo
life lately {holiday edition}
{celebrating mom’s birthday on the Fayetteville square 3 days before Christmas}
{Christmas with the fam}
{snuck in some relaxation}
{confirmed birthday plans, now only 22 days away …}
{kisses for 2013, NYE at Petit Bistro}
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
2012: my year in pictures
{January: Sundance Film Festival}
{March: Kiss a Pig Gala}
{May: Celebrating my bff’s graduation from graduate school}
{June: Weekend getaway to St. Louis for Fun. concert}
{July: My first family reunion, Hot Springs}
{August: West Coast Vaca}
{September: My best friend’s wedding}
{October: Got a new job at Walmart!}
{October: Got our puppy Olli!!}
{December: NYC with mom}
* * *
You might also enjoy: 2011: my year in pictures, 2010: a year in review
xo xo
New Year’s Eve: The Most Overrated Night of the Year
Can I get an amen?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always tried so hard to make New Year’s Eve special, and by special I mean, spending it with a group of people, planning a party, and trying to make it the best night of the year. But you know what, that’s just too much pressure, and honestly, it never has been the best night of the year. Of course we’ve made some wonderful memories with friends over the years, but the best nights are usually the most random and not necessarily a perfectly planned evening with fancy dresses, overpriced drinks and crowded bars.
So this year, we’re doing things a little different. But first, a look back at NYE pasts …
[2006/2007 – Bentonville]
[2007/2008 – Shogun, Fayetteville]
[2008/2009 – volunteer trip to Texas]
[2010/2011 – Shawn and Rhagen’s, Rogers]
[2011/2012 – Crabby’s; Eddie Haskell’s, Rogers]
* * *
So this year, we’re going to be an old married couple and do things quietly. We have a reservation for two at Petit Bistro, then we’ll be snuggling up with the pup to watch the ball drop at midnight.
As they say in The O.C., “The way you spend your New Year’s Eve is the way you’ll spend the rest of the year.” Well, if my 2013 is just as relaxing and content as my evening with husband and Olli, I’ll take it.
xo xo
life lately
Aside from my NYC travels, which you can read about here, here’s what else has been happening in my life lately.
{wearing this // pants Anthropologie, shoes Target}
{winning this. #tswiftobsessed}
{cuddling with this}
{enjoying an evening of this}
{dying over this White Elephant gift}
{loving this new lunchbox from Target + Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch}
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: Tulsa & Oklahoma City
{Friday night in Tulsa, The Cigar Box}
{and then some Drenga}
{Saturday morning brunch at Kilkenny’s, complete with Bloody Mary’s, “Manmosa’s” and Breakfast Shots}
{Dinner at Bricktown Brewery, OKC}
{Drinks before the show}
{Trans Siberian Orchestra!}
{Got to see a dear old friend, Edna’s OKC}
{The morning after, IHOP}
* * *
You may also be interested in: Weekend Picturebook: Kansas City, Weekend Picturebook: Colorado
My Week in To-Do’s
Monday
Purchase stamps
Pay Electric bill
Address and mail Christmas cards
{sneak peek for my readers}
Catch up on Gossip Girl
* * *
Tuesday
Happy hour
Plan outfits for weekend in NYC
{inspiration}
Purchase black boots + winter coat to complete said outfits
* * *
Wednesday
Get nails done
Wrap Christmas presents
* * *
Thursday
Pack for NYC
Watch Scandal
Set alarm for 4 am for NYC flight
* * *
How are you staying busy this week?
XO
5 {things I’m thankful for} + 5 {quotes from the day} + 5 {turkey day photos}
5 {things I’m thankful for}
Two incredible families who we got to spend Thanksgiving with
Our baby (puppy!) who we didn’t have last year
An abundance of food and drink
A husband who keeps me laughing and loving in our second year of marriage
The good Lord who blesses us with all of these things
* * *
5 {quotes from the day}
“Did you see her mimosas?? They were, like, clear.” – in regards to why someone was being extra chatty
“The dog was just WASTED!” – an unfortunate story about a dog who ate a bag of Columbian pot
“I used to get phone calls from pre-school saying he was being too touchy-feely.” – in regards to my loving husband
“Trivia: Who wrote the original score for this musical?” – while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
“You better be taking care of my daughter, because she’s the light of my world.” “Yes, sir. She’s the light of my world too.” – father to son-in-law
* * *
5 {turkey day photos}
{mimosa bar}
{beautiful mother/chef/decorator/hostess}
{incredible tablescape by my mother using old wooden doors for the table tops}
{Happy Thanksgiving, XO the Aldermans}
{sibling love}
life lately
{baking this – Pioneer Woman’s dump cake}
{wearing this – new shoes from Banana Republic}
{drinking this – in honor of a friend’s farewell}
{painting this – Painting with a Twist Date Night}
{tiring out this guy – on a 3-mile walk}
{enjoying this – getting dolled for a night out in support of Circle of Life Hospice}
XOXO
celebrate (v): to publicly acknowledge a significant event with an enjoyable activity
We’ve been doing a lot of celebrating lately, so this is an ode to all of our dear friends.
{Happy 22nd Birthday Jessenia!}
* * *
{Happy 23th Birthday Lauren!}
{cute birthday girl bowling }
* * *
{Congrats Tayler and Luis on your engagement!}
{party times}
* * *
This week we will be attending a “See Ya Later” Party, which isn’t typically something to celebrate. However, I’m so excited for newlyweds Erin and Andrew to start a new adventure together. Below are a few of my favorite pics of me and Erin.
{when we first met, study abroad South Africa}
{one of my favorite pictures from my 21st birthday party}
* * *
And lately all I can think about is a fabulous holiday party I want to throw…
XO
m.davis xoxo 