i want the world; i want the whole world...

okay.. but really--my happy place is sephora and my newfound love of online shopping.

Here's what I'm currently lusting after in my subtle attempt to be glamorous:

Essie "wicked" nail polish

NARS nail polish in "Versailles"

Tibi hot pink skirt

the entire outfit from polyvore

sequined mini from net-a-porter

loafers from anywhere (I just bought a new pair to wear to work)

Emily Manyard's hot pink YSL lip gloss as seen on Bachelorette

her sequined dress from episode 9

platinum blond hair like these lovely ladies featured.

there ya have it folks. what I'd buy this week if I didn't have a budget or care to eat ever again.

Do more of what makes you HAPPY

For me, this is writing. Which is probably one reason I haven't felt like myself lately. I love to write. I Love to research, learn and keep filling my mind and soul with new and interesting things. I love to be the resident expert on things (examples: nail polish, celeb gossip, freaky mysterious tragedies etc).

This summer has been a whirlwind to say the least, but I'm trying to keep moving and get back to my true self. I'm starting to realize that writing, in some form or fashion, will always help me sort through my thoughts. Though this summer has been full of lessons and growth, it hasn't been an easy ride. I'm trying to take my own advice and remember that hard times mean that God has placed me on His anvil to work on me; it might not be fun or easy, but it means He thinks I'm worth working on.

I've always loved butterflies (even though my loving roomsiepoo detests them), and they've always represented a fresh start for me. 

Love this quote, and I'm trying to keep it on the forefront of my mind... along with these little gems...

Couldn't have said it better myself. I might be going through a rough patch, but I know that in the end, it's going to be a learning experience and I need to just keep on smiling... because I do lead a very blessed life. the more I remember this, the better.

'til next time (which will be sooner than last time)

One Step At A Time

 Welp.. I did it. I finally graduated from college. Not just any college, but a university. And, while I may be biased, a darn good university at that.

{ May 19th 2012--graduation from Samford University--

the day I thought would never come}

{My amazing support system came to cheer me on,

 help me move, and bring me home}

{These were the reason I didn't wanna go.}

Since moving home I've gotten to do some pretty cool things, to lessen the sting of leaving my besties back in b'ham (and Lakeland, Orlando, and most recently ATL)

For example:

Carnival Memphis (more common known as The Cotton Carnival fashioned after Mardi Gras Carnival)

{This was the first night, the "Crown and Scepter Ball" where Ben's sister, Grace, was presented as a Princess"}

{The next night was a cocktail party at

 the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club}

The most recent development is that I got a "job" as a ServiceMaster intern for 10 weeks in Memphis, which was a real answer to prayer. I'm excited to learn and work on new and interesting projects as I explore the world of corporate media and graphic design. 

If I've said it once, I've said it a 100 times, I may not know what my future holds, but I know the One who holds my future. I'm trying to be patient and take everything one step at a time. After all, how else can I do it. Thanks for all the love and prayers!

 'Til next time... 

If life were a Movie

...or a television show. 

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, 

I, Anna Cox, am a celebaholic.

I'm addicted to any and everything celeb related (including pretending I'm famous/have a successful blog etc).

SOoooOO0oO0o..

If I could piece together everything in my life simply from my fav celebs... this is what it'd look like:

{Giuliana Rancic: her career, work ethic, and survival instinct}

{Rachel Zoe: her closet, vocabulary and celeb friends are major}

{Nicole Ritchie: street style, rocker husband, uniquely-named children}

{Desperate Housewives: neighbors that are your best friends}

{Leighton Meester: voice, tattoos, and view toward men ^-- oh wait, I already believe that}

{Sara Evans: long dark locks, singing voice, and house in Crestline Village}

{Katy Perry: kooky, adventurous, spunky, fearless personality--bet her wardrobe isn't half bad either}

{Emma Stone: physical and verbal humor, mega-watt smile, red hair}

{Kristen Wiig: writing chops, humor, ability to let it all go for the sake of good comedic moments}

{Kate Hudson: easy-going, laid back personality}

{Reese Witherspoon: aside from her name and Tenn. roots, her soft-spoken voice and acting chops}

{Gwyneth Paltrow: London life, acting chops, cooking talent, work ethic, singing voice}

But, honestly, what's stopping me? These fearless ladies no doubt had a tough road to get to where they re now; so, who's to say I can't be one of 'em. 

That settles that. 

Judge a book by its cover..?

While sitting on my apartment couch, watching SATC on DVD I stumbled upon a wonderful pearl of wisdom from the ever-fabulous Carrie Bradshaw...

She said, 

"I think it’s pretty fair to say that “open-minded” = good; “close-minded” = bad. 

But are we being too quick to judge judgment?

 Perhaps judgment is not so much a snap decision, as an early warning and detection device.  If it is instantly clear that a person, a place, or even a profession is not for you, is it better to ignore your better judgment and read between the lines? Or should you judge a book by its cover?"

This ^ has been a toughie for me lately. Do I take/go for jobs that I can get in the horrible economy, or can I be choosey and go with my gut even when I don't have another option/reason to not take it?

I'm trying to remember this: 

And remember that, in my heart of hearts I know I'll know when the opportunity is the right one. 'til then, I'll just keep chugging along this lil journey called life.

'til the perfect thing comes along I might need to pick up this little gem; I hear it's a must for gals "in my stage of life"

 pick up your copy here

God is in control

I've come to realize over the last few months that I am, in fact, a control freak.

It came as a shock to me, considering I'm not overly OCD in every aspect of my life. I don't color code my closet, make my bed every morning, flip my light switches certain ways or turn my soap bottles to 90 degree angles, but nevertheless, I am a control freak....

about jobs.

(searching for them, sending emails, updating my resumé daily, checking LinkedIn, following up with contacts, making new ones, and essentially obsessing about the next step in life just about every second of every day)

I allow it to take over my mind so completely that I forget to enjoy some days because I'm too worried about finding a job, taking that next step, planning it all out etc.

I'm nuts, and I know it. Thus, the purpose of this post-- a semi-cathartic attempt to purge myself of negativity and focus on the good (better yet, wonderful) aspects of my life.

By remembering this:

And singing this at the top of my lungs:

(yes, the is the real music video.. it's an oldie but goodie)

Okay, I'm not quite here yet...

but I'm tryin'.

Nuggets of Inspiration

"If you're not scared, then you're not paying attention."

-Dr. Miranda Bailey

Grey's Anatomy

[planning...what my life looks like lately.]

[I just need to keep remembering this]

[and this. just because other people have their lives figured out doesn't mean mine won't come eventually.]

[yes, it will be worth it. it will.]

and in the end....