Old School Cool

When JT and I were counting down the days to our first Christmas together, we would give each other clues as to what we had gotten each other. I'll never forget the way he described what I would later find out was a gold necklace with my birthstone pendant. He said some people think you might not like it, but I know you will because it's your style -- vintage chic. I'll interject here to say that he was partially joking because I put "chic" after everything (ie hipster chic); he doesn't use the word unless it's for mocking purposes. But I knew what he meant. He was being genuine, and it was perfection. And it was also one of the best compliments I've received. 

Not long after that, I took one of those buzzfeed quizzes about what decade you belong in. I'm sure it's a shock which one I got. 

Just this weekend, I was talking to my aunt and she said "oh, I found some things you might want for your kitchen someday! They just look like you." They were vintage cookbooks, and yes, I love them.

Call it what you want: vintage, old school, or traditional. Whatever it is, it's me, and I don't think I'll ever really change. I'll always love old things, anything that tells a story, anything that has character.

That might be why when I heard Miranda Lambert's new song "Automatic," a little part of me smiled, and I started singing right along. So, c'mon let's take a picture, the kind you gotta shake.

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. 

Happy Friday!

TGIF. I've been dragging this week and getting my days all out of order (Wednesday felt so much like Tuesday I nearly forget my scheduled appointments, and yesterday was a definite Friday...or so I thought). Thankfully, tomorrow really is the weekend, and this calls for some fun!

Happy things:

I went to bed last night singing this for some reason; so there's that.


This newly caught my eye since the ladies of PLL (while annoying because after 4 years you'd think they would've learned to not venture into a dark alley/wooded area/basement/ or warehouse alone) display excellent fashion sense while hunting for clues. Now you, too, can find their wardrobe pieces. 

Speaking of fun wardrobe pieces, how fun are these bright blazers (here, here, and here are my favs from GMG's blog post today)?! I'm always looking for ways to make my work wardrobe reflect my youth/fun side while still being appropriate.  

February's InStyle mag has the "15 Best Beauty Apps" listed in their print issue (with the fabulous SJP on the cover), so please excuse me while I download and try them all. 

Happy weekend, y'all!

Happy First Friday!

{leave it to GG to say it perfectly}

Happy Friday! Starting off the first Friday of 2014 a little braver, and a little more resolved to fulfilling my resolutions:

-To be more consistent with reading my Bible, the gym, and keeping a clean house.

-Be kind. Show unconditional love to others so that my faith is seen in my actions.

-Learn to make clean eating/healthy recipes. (I newly crave veggies, as a result of my cleanse, I'm sure.)

-Stay up to date on changes and developments within industries I'm passionate about. 



  

Famous Friends (part 3)

The time has come to re-up a favorite series of mine: famous peeps I'm almost certain I'd be friends with. Part 1 is here and part 2 is here. For this installment (in all fairness I warned you) is the one and only bitchy-yet-lovable sister of Edward Cullen, the sweet songbird wife of Paul McDonald, and the all around style icon, Nikki Reed. 

Meredith and I both agree she's the perfect combo of "All American" meets "exotic looking" and she manages to always look edgy yet classic. A hard thing to pull off I'd imagine. She has a millions things going at once, yet always has a fun bubbly outlook, per her instagram which I follow daily. So why do I think we'd be great friends?

First, I love her style, and think we'd share clothes swimingly.

Second, her goofiness. Few can make such weirdness adorable.

Third, she has the rare ability to make her warp-speed relationship with Paul McDonald (met in March 2010 and were married by October of that same year) look cute instead of creepy (which, let's face it, it had potential to be). 

She has amazing taste in jewelry (including this Lola James necklace).

She can act and mysteriously sing well? Yet another reason she's amazeballs.

Finally, I feel as though I'd be friends with Rosalie and since they're one in the same, naturally I'd befriend Nikki.

Who You Love

I'm sorry, I'm not sorry because I love this couple and this video... to heck with Beyonce and her secret album (just kidding.. but I still haven't listened to any of it or seen any of the allegedly awesome video clips - gasp!) (click here or here for background on the writing on the song and casting of the couples in the video). 

I found myself smiling and getting chills (much like I did when I watched the Khloe and Lamar: Happily Ever After wedding on E! in the ADPi house). Clearly I'm too emotionally invested in celebrity couples, but ya know what? You love who you love. That's my only defense. Watch and enjoy. 

Roaring into the Weekend

Happy Friday, folks!

All Kinds of Kinds

Loved this song (and subsequently belted it on repeat) since I bought her Four The Record album... now you will too.

Happy Hump Day, Folks

Here's a little happy to help you 

"cruise" through the rest of the work week 

(I know it's kept me entertained for days):

For more where this came from click here.

Enjoy!

Coachella Chic

Okay, the title is probably an oxymoron, but oh well. Coachella crazy..? Perhaps. It's time again for Coachella, and a newly added bucket list item of mine is to attend at least once in my lifetime (I should probably start small by actually attending MusicFest in my own city, but that's a different story), if not only for the music but for the atmosphere and attire. It's one of the few places where it's acceptable, even encouraged, to look (and act) like Ke$ha. Who wouldn't want to go to that?!

Clearly, I'm not alone, as celebs have flocked to the music festival for years spawning some pretty outlandish ensembles and photographs (shout out to my fav, Kate Hudson, and her lover/baby-daddy/Muse front-man, Matthew Bellamy, who met at Coachella). I needn't say more; the proof is in the pictures. (please look carefully as literally a.ny.thing. is acceptable)

My imaginary fashion choices for Coachella is inspired by 

but not limited to the following looks:

Who's with me?!

Beautiful Scandalous Night

 As a "Flashback Friday," I figured it was the perfect weekend for one of my favorite high school chapel songs, 

"Beautiful Scandalous Night."

Go on up to the mountain of mercy 
To the crimson perpetual tide 
Kneel down on the shore 
Be thirsty no more 
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain 
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall 
Cleanse your heart and your soul 
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all

CHORUS: 
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree 
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me 
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white 
On that beautiful, scandalous night

On the hillside, you will be delivered 
At the foot of the cross justified 
And your spirit restored 
By the river that poured 
From our blessed Savior's side

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree 
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me 
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white 
On that beautiful, scandalous night

Go on up to the mountain of mercy 
To the crimson perpetual tide 
Kneel down on the shore 
Be thirsty no more 
Go under and be purified

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree 
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me 
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white 
On that beautiful, scandalous night

Another favorite is the Tale of the Three Trees children's book.

Happy Easter Weekend, y'all!

Flashback Friday

This morning on my commute I heard Kenny Chesney's "I Go Back" on the radio, and while I was singing along I made me think about all of the songs that take me back to certain times. So, here's my list of songs that instantly remind me of a specific time/place/group of people.

Just a few, but these most definitely send me back in time.

Music Monday

Most recent jams include:

The People Have Spoken...

and in case you were wondering... 

ma gurl KP racked up. Take a looksy...

Favorite Music Video: "Part of Me," Katy Perry
Favorite Music Fan Following: KatyCats, Katy Perry

Favorite Pop Artist: Katy Perry

Favorite Female Artist: Katy Perry

Try

Sorry I'm not sorry, but this is my new jam. 

I can be found rocking out on my morning commute much to the horror of the cars around me. Oh well. love it. Enjoy!

Spice Up Your Life

In honor of the new Spice Girls Musical opening in London, re-watch their amazeballs Olympic performance (in case you didn't see it, they've still got it).

 

{for the story on the musical click here}

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Tis the season for festivities every weekend, and getting in the spirit, here's my fool-proof guide to throwing the best holiday party on the block:

1) an amazing invite

 

2) the proper decor for your house 

 3) a poppin' playlist

 

4) festive food and beverages

  

{Grinch punch as seen here}

 {Christmas cocktails seen here}

 

{Holiday bark as seen here}

5) Entertainment

 {props for possible photo station with Polaroid camera}

Last, but certainly not least

6) the perfect hosting outfit

 ...don't forget outerwear:

 Time to Party!