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Discover Arkansas: Little Rock, Part 1

I’ve officially started on my Discover Arkansas Bucket List. We spent a wonderful Memorial Day weekend in LR with some close friends, and got to visit some family who were gracious enough to let us stay in their home. Though we didn’t get to do everything on our list, we did ate a LOT. [Spoilers: the following photos may put you in a food coma like they did us]

Note: This is part 1. We have plans to go back in July and will absolutely cross the following off the LR Bucket List: Hike Pinnacle Mountain, Eat at Cotham’s + The Faded Rose.

F R I D A Y  N I G H T 
ZaZa’s Pizza – The Heights 

Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.00.57 PM[We were fortunate enough to be staying with my aunt and uncle who live in The Heights, so a walk to ZaZa’s is always a must on my list]

Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.01.09 PM[The wait for our pizza was 40 minutes, so of course I decided I needed dessert first – Dulce De Leche Gelato]

Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.01.18 PM[The taps were mixed up, so Natalie kept getting the wrong beer … which in turn meant free beer … which I wouldn’t say was a bad thing]

Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.01.29 PM[Finally our pizza arrived, and it was SO worth the wait. First time trying the ZaZa’s Italian and it was delicious]

S A T U R D A Y

[Not Pictured: Josh driving to North Little Rock to get us Mark’s Donuts for breakfast – amazing]

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Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.02.00 PM[Spent the morning at the Clinton Presidential Center – where we learned about a lot about Clinton and a little about dinosaurs]

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[Next stop: The Flying Saucer because after all that walking around the RiverMarket, we needed none other than carbs + beer]

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Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.02.46 PM[said carbs – pretzels, brats + IPA mac and cheese]

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[and said beer]

[Not Pictured: Nap time back at the house, followed by a walk around The Heights oohing and aahing over all the beautiful houses]

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Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.03.13 PM[Dinner at another one of my LR faves – Local Lime. Six different kinds of salsa, followed by tacos + frozen margs. Not to mention our amazing waiter Kye who sang us show tunes with his BEAUTIFUL voice]

S U N D A Y
Brunch: Loca Luna

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Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.03.20 PM[mimosas + breakfast pizza, which we continued to eat on the way home]

Screen Shot 2015-05-25 at 2.03.51 PM[we had a wonderful weekend with these friends we love so dearly!]

until our next adventure! xo xo

Photobook: Bentonville FILM Fest + Fayetteville FOAM Fest

B E N T O N V I L L E  F I L M  F E S T

What: An inaugural film festival celebrating women and diversity, co-founded by Geena Davis
When: May 5-9
Where: Venues all around NWA

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[opening ceremonies at crystal bridges. first photo via bentonville film festival]

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[the only movie I got to see during the festival, but it was incredible!]

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[movie showing + panel with robert de niro!]

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[thursday night baseball game + showing of a league of their own]

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[hosts of the baseball game – geena davis + rosie o’donnel. photo via chris davidson]

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[volunteering at crystal bridges and got to see some awesome panels]

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[closing ceremonies with the husband]

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[loved spending time on the blue carpet with kaity + had some awesome celeb sightings! from top: courtney cox, khandi alexander (aka mama pope!), melissa joan hart, soledad o’brien + nick cannon, bruce dern]

F A Y E T T E V I L L E  F O A M  F E S T

What: A craft beer sampling festival, showcasing 300+ beers
When: May 9
Where: Walton Arts Center parking lot, Dickson Street

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xo xo

What I Learned From Hosting My First Dinner Party

It’s hard.

Parties are already hard enough, but add in the dinner part and it’s even harder. I’m not a cook, and never should have attempted to be one. Cooking for two is enough of a chore most nights, so cooking for eight is rough. How do people know when they should start everything so it all comes out at the same time? How do you finish cooking while greeting everyone as they arrive?

I’m the kind of person who wants everything completely done by the time the first person steps in the door, and that is not going to happen with a dinner party.

[Note: I am being a little overly dramatic – everything turned out wonderfully, with no mishaps to speak of. I was more stressed out on the inside, than I was on the outside, which is always a good skill to have.]

Before I share some photos of the evening, let me back up a bit – while in Vegas with the sistahs, we decided to do a family supper club. Each of the four couples hosts once a year, youngest to oldest. We started the tradition and will pass it to Sister E for summer.

When it finally comes back around to us next year, I have it all figured out – not only will we have a porch party again, this time it will be a pizza porch party. One of our favorite foods, and so easy. I can spend more time on the decor, drinks and dessert, which I love, and less on the rest of the menu.

 

The Location:
Front porch – with folding tables, butcher paper tablecloths + rented chairs

[Without a formal dining room table, or seating for 8, you have to get creative!]

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The Menu:
Baked Parmesan Pork Chops
Green + White Asparagus
Crockpot Potatoes
Baby Wedge Salads
Sister Schubert’s Rolls
[Not Pictured: Appetizer – Baked Brie with apples, summer sausage + vintage cheddar cheese]

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The Drink:
Sunset Sangria
15 oz. Blanco Tequila
1 bottle of Pinot Grigio
25 oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
25 oz. Club Soda
1 cup Lime Juice

Mix together. Add ice and large fruit garnishes. Enjoy!

[Tip: Ask every couple to bring a bottle of wine. You supply a signature drink!]

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The Dessert:
Pioneer Woman’s Lemon Lime Pound Cake – YUM.
So fresh, moist and very spring-y tasting. Also, goes perfectly with coffee the next morning.

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The Guests:
The best part of any event!

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The Morning After:
Coffee (and leftover cake) on the front porch, thankful for a wonderful family + the ability to get to host an event with abundant food and drink

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Happy Sunday!
xo xo

Work Picturebook: San Francisco

[Day 1]

Screen Shot 2015-04-05 at 5.57.39 PM{Golden Gate Bridge pics are a must, even when you’ve seen it multiple times!}

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Screen Shot 2015-04-04 at 5.43.01 PM{walking the streets of Presidio, where I found my dream home, then pizza + burrata at Delarosa}

[Day 2 – Pinterest HQ]

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Screen Shot 2015-04-04 at 5.43.33 PM{my job is pretty cool…}

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Screen Shot 2015-04-04 at 5.43.57 PM{dinner at an amazing Peruvian restaurant on the water – La Mar}

[Day 3 – San Bruno]

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{meetings at Walmart.com}

Screen Shot 2015-04-04 at 5.44.24 PM{having some fun at YouTube HQ across the street}

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{YouTube conference room names on fleek}

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{so thankful to get to work with some amazing people – Walmart co-workers and partners!}

xo xo

life lately

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{enjoying this || an evening on the Pedaler’s Pub patio listening to The Show Ponies}

Screen Shot 2015-03-29 at 11.53.56 AM{oohing and aahing over this || a beautiful remembrance of spring at our family house in Magnolia, AR}

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{drinking this || moscow mules with family}

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{eating this || (most of it anyway) at Crystal Bridges Wednesday Over Water event}

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{celebrating this || a beautiful baby momma-to-be + a dear friend’s birthday}

xo xo

UPDATE: Arkansas Bucket List + Discover Arkansas Series

I had such an overwhelming response to my Arkansas Bucket List post, (thank you, I Love You, Arkansas Facebook page for posting) that I had to share an update.

I’ll be starting a new series on my blog called Discover Arkansas. Each post will highlight pictures and my experiences. Thanks to all of you, my bucket list has expanded tremendously! I’m not sure if I’ll get to all of them this summer, but will certainly keep you updated as I do.

Original Bucket List: 

1. Float the Buffalo River

2. Eat a famous hubcap burger at Cotham’s [Scott/LR]

3. See the new Crystal Bridges exhibit, Van Gogh to Rothko [Bentonville]

4. Dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park [Murfreesboro]

5. Climb Pinnacle Mountain [Little Rock]

6. Go to the drive-thru wilderness safari [Gentry]

7. Climb to Hawksbill Craig and take a cliche picture [Ponca]

8. Enjoy an evening at the drive-in movies [Fayetteville]

9. Tour the Ozarks through railway [Springdale to Winslow or Van Buren]

New Additions: 

10. Spend the night in a tree house at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge [Eureka Springs]

11. Visit the Elephant Sanctuary [Greenbriar]

12. Float the Mulberry River

13. Visit [Mountain View] – go to the Drive-in and Blanchard Springs Cavern

14. Rivermarket & Heifer Project [Little Rock]

15. Hike to waterfall at Petit Jean State Park

16. Trout fishing on the White River and swimming at Big Spring Park [Cotter]

17. Hike at Painter’s Bluff

To follow along on my journey, make sure and follow my blog via WordPress or email:

 

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

I’m excited to explore our beautiful natural state! xo xo

TV Reviews [finale edition]: PLL, Mindy Project + Glee

P R E T T Y  L I T T L E  L I A R S 
{Season 5, Ep. 26}

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If I only had one word to describe this episode: disappointment. There was so much build-up to this episode for the #BigAReveal, and what did we get? A name. Charles. That’s it. But who the heck is Charles?? Okay so maybe we know Charles is Jason’s twin brother, but is it a character we already know by another name? Or are we creating an entirely new character? Marlene King said when we found out in this episode who A was, we would be heartbroken. I can’t be heartbroken about someone I don’t even know. All of my thoughts and questions are summed up perfectly in this hilarious (as always) Buzzfeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jennaguillaume/whats-a-charles

I also just didn’t understand the Dollhouse. How in the world could they sleep?! Why didn’t they try to grab Charles or hurt him or remove his mask when they had the chance? UGH. But of course, despite it all, I can’t wait for the summer premiere. You got me, A.
T H E  M I N D Y  P R O J E C T 
{Season 3, Ep. 21}
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Okay, following the trend, one word to describe the episode: swoon. Oh Danny, I just love you so much, and I love your stubble, no matter when Mindy thinks her parents would think about it. This was a really good episode.  Okay first of all, how sad is it that Mindy didn’t get to go to Peter’s wedding?! They’re the cutest best friend duo ever, so why would they do that? (Side note: Peter has GOT to get rid of that haircut.) Secondly, this episode got pretty deep talking about marriage. I wanted to slap Danny across the face when he said he didn’t want to get married. But of course Danny’s mom (who I’ve LOVED this season), pretty much did just that when she told him she and him just hadn’t married the right people previously. As angry as I was at Danny, I knew he would redeem himself, which of course he did – in INDIA. I can’t wait to meet Mindy’s parents next season. Can we also get more of Rishi please? And perhaps a Bollywood episode?
Side note: Mindy quoting Cookie – I DIED.
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G L E E 
{Season 6, Ep. 12 & 13 – series finale}
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One word to describe the series finale: perfect. I could write an entire blog post about Glee and this finale. In fact, I have previously about the season 1 finale – Don’t Stop Believin’. Stop and read that post first to understand how much of an impact just the first season of Glee made on me. The show started my sophomore year of college. It was the show that I would get giddy over while watching every week. I listened to the soundtracks obsessively. I saw the Glee movie in theaters. I was so involved in the characters lives, that when the main actor Corey Monteith committed suicide in real life, I was more upset than I thought I’d be.
Each week, it took me back to my passion – singing, dancing, performing. Something I wasn’t doing during that time. It taught me to go after your dreams and not let anyone stand in the way. It taught me high school love isn’t necessarily just high school love. It taught me we are all misfits and we all need each other. It was such a brilliantly written show that pushed the bounds on some important topics. Sadly, it lost its luster when the main characters graduated high school and they tried to continue with a new group and followed the old group in their various new lives. So I stopped watching at around season 5. However, I knew I had to watch the series finale since I had invested so much of my time watching the show in the beginning. And like I said above, it was perfect.
The finale was 2 parts – the first part going back to 2009, to the very first episode of the series. They showed the scenes we didn’t see about how everyone made it to the Glee club. It made me so nostalgic that I wanted to start the series all over again. They did it perfectly. The second part of the finale showed where everyone was 5 years later. I don’t typically like it when shows do that, but this was so great. They focused on the original characters, and wrapped everything up so perfectly. Rachel wins an Emmy! (Her speech made me bawl.) Mr. Schu and Emma have kids! Kurt and Blaine are adorable! Sue is Vice President of the United States! But it was the last scene that brought the tears. Everyone on stage singing Don’t Stop Believin’ together. Oh my gosh, all.the.feels.
Okay, that’s all. I’ll be in my room crying now and re-starting Glee from Ep. 1.
xo xo

wednesday, my inspiration.

The most vibrant sound in the room is one that can either soothe or distress.
The wick is almost at its end, but fights for dear life, throwing its light from side to side and forcing itself to be heard and not forgotten.

At times it competes with the screaming thunder, but its benefit is its consistency –
laying a raspy baseline throughout the room.

The puppy is confused. He looks up from his sleepy state on the newly carpeted floor, searching for the source of the hissing and buzzing.

The thunder stops and the rain begins; the wick seems to play in harmony with the pitter patter. Occasionally birds add a verse, bringing the illumination of spring.

The girl sits on the couch drinking it all in.

She sits in her cushy sweats wine in hand, after removing her corporate attire. She sits with fragrant food in the crockpot, waiting for husband to arrive home. She sits on her immaculate couch, admiring her new rug. She sits oblivious of how thankful she should be of nearly everything around her.

She sits in silence.

She allows herself the peace and rest and lack of distractions that are so hard to come by. She doesn’t feel the need to turn on the radio, or the tv, or grab her magazines.

She sits in silence.

And then the hail begins.

My Arkansas Bucket List

A few things you should know about me before starting this post: 1. I’ve lived in Arkansas almost my entire life. 2. I can’t sit still.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the thing. We’re planning this super awesome trip to Europe in the fall – one that I will certainly be posting about incessantly pre- and post- trip. However, since we have limited money and limited vacation time, that means the summer is wide open. But who can live through a summer without doing anything fun?! Certainly not me. See point 2 above.

So, I’ve decided this will be the Arkansas Summer. I will go and see and do all the wonderful things my home state has to offer – some of which I’ve done before (but it’s been a while) or some of which I have yet to do, but always wanted to. For those of you who live here you know how beautiful and underrated this state is. For those of you who don’t live here, you would be shocked to see all it has to offer, and hopefully I can share a glimpse into its beauty with you.

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1. Float the Buffalo River

2. Eat a famous hubcap burger at Cotham’s [Scott/LR]

3. See the new Crystal Bridges exhibit, Van Gogh to Rothko [Bentonville]

4. Dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park [Murfreesboro]

5. Climb Pinnacle Mountain [Little Rock]

6. Go to the drive-thru wilderness safari [Gentry]

7. Climb to Hawksbill Craig and take a cliche picture

8. Enjoy an evening at the drive-in movies [Fayetteville]

9. Tour the Ozarks through railway [Springdale to Winslow or Van Buren]

Other must-dos for Arkansans, but that I’ve done regularly so not on my list: Horse races at Oaklawn [Hot Springs], Weekend in Eureka Springs, NWA breweries [read my post about that here], Concert at the AMP [Rogers], Saturday morning Farmers Market [Little Rock/Fayetteville/Bentonville], Tailgate and go to a Razorback Football Game [Fayetteville]

POST UPDATE: Check out my updated bucket list thanks to your recommendations and my new series Discover Arkansas!

Have a recommendation of something to add? See something you want to do with me? Let me know! xo xo

TV Reviews: Empire, Revenge, Mindy Project + TWD

My TV obsessions are currently in full force as seasons are coming to a close and there are a lot of OMG moments. And guess what, I’m not a silent watcher.

I LOVE talking about my fictional best friends almost as much as I enjoy watching them. I get so excited when I finally find someone who’s as into a show as I am and wants to discuss. Case in point from Friday night – found someone (finally!) who watches Empire and it totally made my night. Case in point from Sunday – I have multiple text threads discussing The Walking Dead, including some live-texting. 

 So, I’ve decided to start a weekly recap post of my TV shows including my commentary. The shows will probably change from week to week. For example, PLL and Nashville aren’t in here this week, but they’re two of my favorites. You might watch these shows, you might not. You might enjoy my commentary, you might think I’m way too into TV. Either way, these posts are pretty much for me to get my OMG moments out and bond with any other diehard TV fans I just might not have met yet.

Grab some popcorn, and enjoy!

[WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD]

E M P I R E
[Season 1, Ep. 10]

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Why am I SO obsessed with this show?! I also CANNOT stop listening to the music on Spotify. {Especially “You’re So Beautiful” – The White Party version. I’m in love with Jamal’s voice.}

Okay so we did get a resolution in this episode to Jamal’s daughter + Raven randomly showing up for 2 seconds in one episode. She’s Luscious’ daughter, really?! It ended in gunfire, really?! It was a little overly dramatic, but I’m glad the arc didn’t last long; HOWEVER – Lola was the cutest little girl ever! And the song Jamal + Hakeem sang to her to get her to go to sleep?? I wanted to die. Also glad Naomi Campbell is out of there – I couldn’t stand her. But Cookie and Malcolm – I CAN stand. Omg, love it. Another thing I can stand – Jennifer Hudson. Let’s see more of her and Andre!!!

R E V E N G E
[Season 4, Ep. 15 – still 1 episode behind]

ELENA SATINE

This season has been killing it, yeah? I’d lost interest the last few seasons, but they’ve been stepping up their game. Let’s talk about a few things – namely, Jack. But first, Louise. I would LOVE for her to be part of the inside group. I wasn’t sure about her at first, but now I love her, and it was solidified with her perfectly played part of “Oh, this isn’t pilates??” *bats eyelashes* She’s too cute and keeps Nolan entertained with more than just Emily.

But let’s get to Jack. How he played Margot?! Oh My Gosh. Too freakin’ perfect. I knew he was up to something when he said “You’d do anything for your child,” but still! He was so believable. I had no clue about the bracelet. Way to go, dude. But, let’s talk about that speech with Emily at the end. WAAAAAAH. I was totally dying. Why, Emily, why?! You obviously love him. Yes, Ben is hot, but Jack is the love of your life! We all know this! He was the sweetest thing ever and totally got his heart broken. I can’t even.

T H E  M I N D Y  P R O J E C T
[Season 3, Ep. 19]

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Stephen Colbert is gold. Seriously, as a Catholic priest that was once wild and now pious? Gold. This episode was one of the funnier ones this season. Mindy and Danny are adorable as almost-parents. And Mindy is hilarious in church (reminiscent of one of my favorite scenes of her in church with Casey rapping). A few of my favorite lines include Danny quizzing Mindy on the Apostles and instead she lists the Beatles. Also, “There’s a sequel to the Bible, but not to Gone Girl?!” upon discovering the New Testament. LOL, classic Mindy. I also surprisingly have been loving the pregnancy arc. It hasn’t gotten too mushy or steered away from its core, and I can’t wait to see Mindy as a mom, mostly because I think we have a lot in common.

T H E  W A L K I N G  D E A D
[Season 5, Ep. 14]

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Okay, some major sh*t went down this week, and we are so ready for the finale in two weeks!! This was a very gruesome episode. Noah’s death was so violent and sad and disturbing and unexpected, UGH. I was actually more sad than I thought I would be, and especially when Glenn was sad. But Eugene carrying out Tara and pulling the van around to distract the walkers was awesome. 10 points for Eugene. And -10 points for stupid Alexandria guy.

A few more things:
Father Gabriel – WTF?? Not that I’m that surprised, but come ON. These people saved you!
Rick and Carol planning together is awesome. Yes, they’re planning to kill someone and yes, that’s bad. But I love them working together and can’t wait to see that guy get his revenge.
Why didn’t we see Daryl in this episode????

xo xo

[Read more posts about my TV obsessions here.]