#HitchTheHawkins

our first night in Nashville at The Tavern.

'Tis the season ladies and gents, both figuratively and literally. Spring and Summer are always prime time for weddings and events, but this is takes the cake for me. Perhaps it's my age/phase of life, or perhaps it's just summer again and that's when everyone wants "June weddings at the Plaza." Who knows. All I know is I'm on a marathon of happiness, cocktails, Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, and dress fittings, and it's sublime.

From the end of April to Mid-June, I have a grand total of 5 weddings (a bridesmaid in 2), one graduation, a handful of birthdays, a family beach trip, and I just got back from a bachelorette weekend in Nashvegas. Whew. Cheers to the freakin' weekend, oh wait, it's Monday.

Here are a few snapshots from Kelsey Jo's #AllPinkEverything (taken from Eva the Diva's "all red everything" tagline) Bach Bash:  

The Bride-to-be, Kelsey Jo

some of her maids, R to L: Ashley, Erin, August, bride, Mere, EZ, me.

my turn with the gorgeous bride-to-be

yes, I went all the way to Nashville to get a pic with Elvis.

#ForeverRoomie

readying the sash

The whole gang ready to hit the town after yummy Rosepepper Cantina supper.

Nashville, you didn't disappoint. 

Now, to schedule in some sleep...

Love is in the Air

Well hello there. Long time, no talk. I've spent the last month on a happy hiatus from MC simply to enjoy all of the exciting things going on. I wanted to fully enjoy all of it and not even think about sharing it. Selfish, I know, but it's true. I wanted to soak it all up and now that I have, my cup runneth over. 

This past month has been a whirlwind to say the least, but absolutely wonderful in every way. I'm so excited to finally share all of the little things.

March 29, 2014: JT and I got engaged!

Right after JT proposed at Shelby Farms Park!

The fabulous family dinner he planned for after the proposal at my fav restaurant, Jim's Place Grille.

So excited bebe stayed put for a few more days so JT wouldn't have to propose in a hospital!

The stunner weighing down my left hand :)

April 3, 2014: Robert "Robby" Benjamin Todd, Jr. graced the world with his presence making me an official auntie.

Emily had to touch up before go time, and I was happy to assist// New dad telling us of his arrival.

We finally found out his name, and Uncle JT and Aunt Anna meet Robby for the first time!

Bringing bebe home, and Allie is smitten with her new brother.

April 13, 2014: I got the letter that my student loans were completely paid off making this girl debt free!

So long, Sallie Mae. I won't miss you at all.

April 24-26: We packed up and headed to Lakeland, Florida for Ashley and Coady's lovely wedding. #CheekPartyOf2

Ashley celebrating her last fling before the ring!

TNBs reunited again!

JT and I before the rehearsal dinner

Besties getting ready for the big day

such a stunning bride and wonderful friend!

The brand new Mr. and Mrs. Coady Cheek!

To say love is in the air is an understatement. It's in everything I do lately. And I wouldn't have it any other way! Can't wait for what's next!

Prismatic

It's no secret (I mean like not.at.all. a secret) that I'm quite a fan of Katy Perry. I could take a moment to list the reasoning or the examples of previous posts about her, but let's be real here, it'd take way more than a minute. From my tiger ring and halloween costume to my coffee table book and "Part of Me" movie DVD, I'd say the obsession is here to stay.

Once JT told me he bought us tickets to her show this fall as a birthday present, I knew it was time to burn this cd (literally, and figuratively) into my brain. Since Monday, I've been listening to the Prism Deluxe Edition on repeat, and I must say, it's pretty darn awesome. The transition from Teenage Dream to Adult Reality is a slippery slope, but as someone who has gone through the highs and lows of post-grad adulthood, the lyrics pretty much hit the nail on the head.

A few of my favorites and what they triggered in my mind, for those curious are below. For those that aren't curious or hate KP... stop reading...now.

Of course "Roar" is a fabulous workout jam and all-around girl power ballad. No need to elaborate. But it's the other songs that left me with very distinct associations every time I heard them. 


"Unconditionally" first made me thing of the obvious, a strong, meaningful relationship. Duh. But the more the album repeated, the more in depth I went with every line. I took it from a very sweet and romantic feeling about a boyfriend, to encompass the way I view a marriage relationship. Then, a step farther to the love of a parent and their child, since my sister is preggo and bebe's have been in the forefront of my mind by planning showers. Then, this morning I almost started crying listening to the song with the mindset of the heavenly father and his beloved followers. If I've said it once I've said it a hundred times, my God works in mysterious ways and uses every aspect of my life to draw me close to him, secular songs included.

The next song that left a lasting imprint was "It Takes Two." Title alone, you think, yes perfect follow up to "Unconditionally." But in the words of the Grinch, wrong-o. This one is about a break-up, and take it for whatever you will in terms of KP's split from Russell Brand. It's sad, empowering, and 100% relatable, at least for me. The things that really got me were "It takes two, two sides to every story. Not just you, I can't keep ignoring. I admit half of it, I'm not that innocent."

On a more upbeat note, "International Smile" and "This is How We Do" are anthems I need my TNBs for. Riding down Lakeshore, windows down, Sonic limeades in hand, belting every word. Takes me back to college in a flash, and makes me miss my girls more than the normal amount (which is already a LOT). "This one goes out to all the ladies at breakfast in last night's dress. This goes out to all you kids that still have their cars at the club valet and it's Tuesday. Shout out to all you kids buying drink service with your rent money." 

Last, but certainly not least, "Dark Horse" is that song I'm embarrassed by, because I sing so loudly and so expressively in the car that I pray no one pulls up next to me. Channeling her Grammy performance seen here, I also work in elements from Zeta's "Double Double Toil and Trouble" Step Sing show and the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus. (what? like you don't too. c'mon)

So, if you haven't purchased it yet, I highly recommend rocking out to every phase of life with this 16-song keepsake. 

Flashback Friday

{look at this picture and know that we have changed quite 

a bit from the ones that follow... thank God}

This one goes out to the one, the only, best roomsiepoo for lyfe. While chatting today, she mentioned what she really wished we were actually doing (instead of being 24, at work, in separate but equally frigid cities).

{one of the many fun times in 1014}

As she began her scenario, it wasn't difficult to completely transport myself out of my cubicle on Tennessee Street to the warm, sunny patio of 1014 Oaks Drive, Birmingham, Alabama circa 2011. 

There we were. Two college girls, completely unaware of the luxury of having absolutely nothing to do in the middle of the afternoon, we ate at O'Carr's, grabbed baby bites, and ate them on our porch while drinking wine at 2 p.m.

{our very first picture together in feb/march 2009... we'd known each other hours at this point, so to say we're freakishly linked is an understatement}

It was one of those times we both remember, but aren't quite sure why. We didn't talk about anything super specific that we can remember, but we do remember it was fun. Which is what I think of when I think of my time at Sammy U with quite literally the best friends a gal could dream of. 

So today, I'm flashing back to my wonderful college experiences and the smile those memories bring. Road trip anyone?

{circa spring break 2009... the dreaded ride home from the beach.}

Happy Friday!

We Crave a Different Kind of Buzz

This weekend was the much anticipated TNB reunion in Atlanta. The problem? No matter how late we stay up, how early we rise, or how many heart to hearts we share -- it's just never enough time.

This whirlwind of a weekend included but was not limited to:
-2 airport pick ups
-3 gals driving after work
-1 planning session of saving dates for Kels and Ash's big days
-7 girls catching up on the last 6 months-worth of happenings
-seeing 2 sparkling engagement rings "in the flesh"
-1 bottle of red wine
-1 batch of pumpkin muffins
-2 hours of the Katy Perry movie
-infinity selfies
-7 Yeah Burgers
-2 haircuts from Clairebear
-6 ($14 a piece) tequila shots at Alma Cocina
-1 "Sex on the Beach" shot (instead of tequila)
-(uncounted) vodka tonics an The Ivy Buckhead
-1 Georgia football win
-2 hours of watching The Breakfast Club
-2 airport drop offs
-3 commutes back home
-----------------------------------------
ONE. AMAZING. WEEKEND.

Here are some snapshots of said events:

 

{ubercab ride with Kelsey Jo}

 

{infamous $14 shot}

 

{merebear with the infamous $14 shot}

 

{two sparkling rocks in the flesh/two blushing brides}

 

{photo from random guy who thought we were funny at The Ivy}

 

{leetle baboosh}

 

{forever roomie aka best hostess} 

 

{Highlands selfie}

 

{late night elevator selfie}

So, while we may not be royal (yet), we do crave reunions with our besties.

Happy (reunion) Friday, Folks!

In a few short hours, I'll board a plane bound for Atlanta to reunite with my besties for the first time since Memorial Day--to say I'm excited is an understatement.

But, in MC fashion, Fridays mean fun posts to usher in the weekend (see here, here, here, and here). I give you: Honey Boo Boo's family dressed as the Kardashians.

Jump Then Fall

Labor Day is has officially come and gone (and with it, the first of the TNB's turned 24, I went on my very first camping trip, and it's officially football time once again), and you know what that means? Bring on the best season ever -- fall.

I've never been shy about my affinity for the season (as told here, here and here), and this year is no different. In hopes of ushering in the cooler temps, colorful foliage, and pumpkin muffins (for recipe click here) with haste, I wore my (Minnetonka) moccasins (a steal from Marshalls at $30) and wine-stained lip gloss (from the oh-so-lovely YSL) today. 

*yes, the title of this post is a TSwift song

June Bug

I'm horribly embarrassed at how delinquent I've been with my posts; at one point last fall I was posting every day and now I've resorted to monthly happenings. Not my finest cyberspace moment, BUT my only excuse is a saying I once heard and now believe to be 100% true: there's no time to write about life when you're actually living it.

That couldn't be more true than during the month of June 2013. Case and point:

Italian Fest/ Randy Houser concert with JT:

even in the ankle-deep mud and rain it was a blast.

JT's first trip to my old stomping grounds:

We drove down Friday after work and went out with the besties, then 

Saturday morning I took him to some of my favorite things in bham

 [including Samford, Baby Bites, and a Mugshot burger].

More exciting news was that on the way out of town that Friday, I got the official call that one of my very best friends, Kelsey Jo, is engaged to her Army hero. As the first TNB to get a rock, we couldn't be more thrilled or excited for what the future holds [still hoping for a cul de sac with all our families]

CONGRATS Kels!

 

Back in Bham, on Saturday afternoon we made the trek to Arab, AL to celebrate the nuptials of Luke and Barbara Jane. Such a beautiful wedding and had so much fun with Mere, EZ, and Bekah.

Next, my family beach trip in Orange Beach:

 so much fun with my favorite people.

Then, JT and I closed out the month of June 

with another wedding for some of his friends:

 clearly JT, Richard, Stephanie, Leslie, BRooney, Alan, Emily, Brooke, and Matt had fun with the photo booth.

All and all June was fabulous. 

Can't wait to see what July has in store!