My Year in Pictures

I fully understand that I've been a delinquent blogger over the holidays, but it was (gasp!) totally intentional. For once, I didn't have any work or freelance pieces or research and just wanted to unplug and be with my family. And may I just say, it was fabulous!

Now, it's been over a week since I last blogged and have at least 6 ideas for posts I wanted to share, but left my MacBook in its black and white striped pouch instead. Get excited for what's next, because I certainly am. 

But today I wanted to share some of my favorite memories. NYE 2012 to NYE 2013:

2012: JT made me a filet... the start of a new NYE tradition.

I went on my first press trip to South Walton, Florida.

And met Jessica Cayne.

Gambled at Tunica for the first time.

Experienced my very first Mardi Gras in it's birthplace...Mobile, Alabama.

Complete with fancy Mystics of Time ball.

First TNB reunion of the year in Birmingham.

Helped JT make his new house a home.

JT became a Godfather to Cache Frazier.

Celebrated the graduation of my bebe wheata woo

Met my FAV Grizzlies player, QPon.

Wheata woo graduated!!

Second TNB reunion in Pawley's Island, SC.

This guy turned 89.

Showed this one my old stomping grounds (and introduced him to baby bites).

Some of the besties met the bf, and celebrated Luke and Barbara Jane's wedding.

family beach trip.

Took JT to the family home place: Friendship, Arkansas.

Updated my "grown up" room at home.

Wheata woo carried on the legacy of Delta Gamma for mom and MJ.

Watched the braves in STL.

Saw the Tigers win a home game.

Celebrated Ann Marie and Neal getting hitched.

Ran my first 5k with this one's help.

Found out I'm going to be an aunt to a handsome fella.

Last TNB reunion in ATL with the whole gang to celebrate 2 engagements!

Tiger Basketball, year 2 of season tickets.

Fell in love a million times with these goofballs.

Took priceless family portraits.

Saw JT in concert with my (the one and only) JT.

Hung out with these little cherubs.

Celebrated a the tackiest of Christmases.

Annual family bake.

2013 NYE selfie after the tradition of home-grilled steak dinner.

HAPPY 2014!

Happy Friday

Maybe it's the ice storm outside, or maybe it's my love affair with metallic polka dots and Taylor Sterling, or maybe it's just plain old procrastination of me not wanting to transcribe interviews from this week and proof and rewrite drafts. Whatever the reason, I find myself currently lost in a whimsical daydream of sparkles, sequins and pastel-colored furs. I can also blame New Years and the rapidly-approaching holiday rush, but honestly I think it's just where my mind settles lately.

As a result of pondering the question of my last post, I made a trip to good ole Barnes and Noble to focus my wandering mind. What I stumbled upon is a happy blessing I'm excited to share. 

I made four purchases: a hot pink "inspiration/mood board" book, a black and gold prayer journal, a gold metallic 2014 planner, and a book on entrepreneurship (specifically how the founders of the shopping site Gilt turned their passion and knowledge into a wildly successful business).

There is a method to my madness (aside from the fabulous color palettes I was able to find). I've been feeling a bit restless as of late, and wanted to stop dreaming and start doing. The prayer journal is specifically for my career goals and aspirations. It reminds me to pray about the wanderings of my mind  as much as (or more than) I talk about them (which lately has been a lot). The inspiration book is already filling up with clippings from magazines and quotes and tidbits that send my mind off in a million directions. It's a mood board of sorts that allows me to feel like I have a creative outlet aside form my writing and 9 to 5 job. The calendar is (duh) to make order of my hectic schedule, and the book, By Invitation Only, is already challenging and teaching me in ways only a business degree sprinkled with fairy dust would.

I'm sure this isn't the last of these ideas I'll share, but I'm excited to focus my scatterbrained-self into realizing what exactly I want out of my degree in journalism and what possibilities might be around the corner, praying about it every step of the way.

Stay safe if you're out and about in Memphis today,

 and as always, Happy Friday!

*photos courtesy of Pinterest and myself.