Friday, April 29, 2011

5 things that are making me smile :)

1.  I am going to THIS tomorrow! I cannot wait to support the local handmade artists.
















2. I saw this video on Lauren Conrad's new blog. It had me giggling at my desk. "The Tragedy of First Position."


3. THIS girl is coming in town this weekend as a belated birthday gift to me! Can't wait for some QT Nicki/ Abby time.
















4. Need I state the obvious... a breathtaking piece of history took place today (while I slept in)... BUT I get to watch it on Morgan's Tivo tonight! Kate is stunning and I LOVE her dress. A real life good sappy fairytale- break out the wine and tissues! 


5.  Even if we aren't a princess we can still live this way! I know I try to :)



















 



Happy Weekend everyone!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rain Rain, Go Away!









The weather has been SO crazy lately! I feel like after the earthquake and tsunami tragedy in Japan, it has been one thing after another.  Tornadoes and hail storms all over Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama (and those are just the ones I have heard about) and the crazy fires near Possum Kingdom! You can help by going here.

 
Dearest Mother Nature-

Please cut us some slack here. Especially in Texas.  We want to enjoy our 4 weeks left of patio weather.  Oh and did I mention, due to all the April showers... we fully expect to see a gorgeous array of flowers everywhere we look in May? Yeah... no pressure.

 
Sincerely,
Your fan (most of the year) in Texas

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Karaoke Cab - A Night to Remember...


So Miss Brenda Marr turned 30 this year and one of her gifts was 2 hours in the KARAOKE CAB! I had never even heard about it but let me just tell you a few things about this evening:
  •  Francisco (our cab driver) was our entertainment & MC with his jokes and inappropriate comments among being a multi-task expert of driving & singing! (safety?)  
  • He was in love with Morgan. Proof can be found in the "day after" email to Brenda and on the front page of his website. (we are featured!)
    • Hi, Brenda Marr - this Francisco tell Morgan, I hope this is the name, I still love her, this is the result of love, just click here and check the front page, and tell her to call me. http://www.karaokeyellowcab.com/
  • Look at that CD-filled ceiling! The cab also has lights, a microphone for each person (including Francisco himself), and wait for it... a SMOKE machine!!! It got a bit over-used at times ha
  • The song list binders are VERY random ... and VERY misspelled. Only 1 Dixie Chicks song- bummer. We capped off the evening with "Can you feel the love tonight?" - Elton John/ Lion King style!
  • I would highly suggest some adult beverages b/c the route he will take you on (total PR stunt) is to the RITZ, the W / Victory Park area, and West Village.  I don't think he got the memo that that type of demographic is more annoyed by karaoke than running up to grab his business cards... but we did have a few takers. 
  • Francisco had recently had a wreck, so in order to get in the front passenger seat, you had to climb through the window... charming :)
  • At the W, we met a Bachelorette Party that we stopped and sang "Like a Virgin" with...it was highly entertaining. At least they appreciated us!
I was going to make a highlight reel but for some reason my Mac won't let me download other people's iPhone videos... so alas, I found a way at work to upload them to YouTube... so here are a few, unedited videos for your entertainment. Don't judge. Enjoy!

Morgan and Fransico's Duet - "My Humps"  




Brenda's Solo: Shakira




Happy WEDNESDAY!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Weekend was Egg-celent!

This weekend was so much fun! Friday night Logan and I tried out Victor Tangos for dinner (somewhat disappointed in the food) and then went to have some drinks at J. Blacks on the patio to stall until Logan's best man Grant got in town from Colorado.  I love the Henderson area - its the perfect blend of Uptown & Lower Greenville- just our style! Sadly, I tuckered out and went to bed while Logan stayed up until 3am on our front porch catching up with his bestie.  Apparently around 2am a guy got arrested right by our bedroom window!!! (He was relieving himself in our bushes... ahem... yeah gross! Luckily, I slept through the whole thing.) 

Saturday morning I got to cash in my massage that I got for my bday! (Thank you Morgan, Katie, and Annie!!!) It was heavenly... then we went to celebrate Easter early with my Mom and Chris.  We had a huge Easter lunch (Hawaiian chicken yum!) and LOTS of desserts. My sister's BFF Kaila was in town from Memphis and we all got Easter bags this year.  The gals bags were filled with an InStyle magazine, candy, Essie nail polish, a Tylers candle, and felt tip markets- my favorite! Logan got some Peeps, candy, and a gift card to Top Golf...Essie isn't really his cup of tea :) We also recently started the "Cash" egg hunt... this year on our table, we had eggs (some candy and some $$) and each of us had to pick ours out 1 by 1- we could trade or steal and at the end we all opened them up to find out if we got candy, $5, $10, or $20! I got a $20 + some candy, score!

After lunch we went to see Water for Elephants and it was AWESOME! I haven't read the book (although now I want to). I am somewhat intrigued and mesmerized by the 30's/flapper era. The movie was suspenseful and romantic and will keep you guessing. Go see it!




Sunday morning we went to Gateway for church and it was amazing as usual. Afterward, we were invited to lunch at Kelley's mom's house (we call her Nana).  We feasted on Easter turkey, veggies, and mac & cheese and sipped on mimosas! It was so fun to hang out and visit for a few hours. (I sadly got wrapped up in conversation and forgot to take pics! shame on me) 

When we got home last night it was dark, raining, hailing, and lightning = perfect movie weather!!! (pending the power didn't go out)  Logan went to rent a movie he has been dying to introduce me to...it is his favorite French flick "Amelie" and it did not disappoint! I loved how quirky the movie was and the subtitles didn't bother me...in fact, after the first 5-10 minutes I didn't even notice them.  We are going to try to rent a French movie 2x per month to try to help me start absorbing the language.

What did you do for Easter? Any Easter egg hunts? Our precious neighborhood had a huge one in the park by our house complete with relay races, bounce houses, and face painting... I sort of wanted to crash it! I guess it will be a few more years until we attend those kinds of festivities. Until then, I will stick to my InStyle, Essie, and cash egg hunts :)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!

"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'" - Matthew 28: 2- 6






Enjoy your day of fellowship with family and friends. 


Friday, April 22, 2011

Good Friday + Tunes

Hillsong United started off as the Youth Band at Hillsong church in Australia and has put out numerous (incredible) albums.  Their latest album Aftermath is off the charts.  I highly recommend getting it- the music is powerful and unique and the lyrics are good for the soul. The song "Aftermath" which leads into "B.E. (Instrumental)" spoke volumes to me. It gave me chills. I feel like the song paired with the instrumental portion takes you on a journey of His life, death, and resurrection.

Happy Good Friday to you all. Among the Easter egg hunts and candy - lets remember to have perspective on what this weekend really stands for and how it made an eternal impact in history.

"...He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

 



The skies lay low where You are
On the earth You rest Your feet
Yet the hands that cradle the stars
Are the hands that bled for me


In that moment of glorious surrender
You were broken for all the world to see
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath

Freedom found in Your scars
In Your grace my life redeemed
For You chose to take the sinner's crown
As You placed Your crown on me


In that moment of glorious surrender
Was the moment You broke the chains in me
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath


And in that moment You opened up the heavens
To the broken, the beggar, and the thief
Lifted out of the wreckage
I find hope in the aftermath

And I know that You're with me
Yes I know that You're with me here
And I know Your love will light the way
Now all I have I count it all as loss


But to know You, to carry the cross
Knowing I'm found
In the Light of the aftermath

______________________________________________

iTunes Review: "It almost isn’t fair that Hillsong has such a deep roster of seasoned praise & worship leaders to craft an album as diverse as Aftermath. Because historically, if there’s one complaint about modern Christian worship music, it’s that it can lack variety and rarely ventures outside its safe zone. In that context, listening to Aftermath is truly an experience: an event as real and engaging as the worship team’s well-documented stage show that has been seen by the masses on six continents. Most bands would consider and album like this to be their magnum opus, but that would connote an apex, and Hillsong shows no indication that they are going anywhere but up. Alternating vocalists between tracks adds fresh variety and pomp. The team shouts refrains on “Nova” and “Go” amid percussive rhythms that sound like a cross between Chris Tomlin, Coldplay, and even Kings of Leon. The guitar work on “Take Heart”, “Father” and “Rhythms of Grace” is delicate and captivating, evolving into a Sarah McLaclan-like trance on “Like an Avalanche” and “Bones”. Aftermath shows that Hillsong continue to set the bar high and blur the lines between studio albums and live worship."

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Concerts in the Garden - Rain, Shine, or Hail!





We had a BLAST last night at the "Concerts in the Garden" series at the Arboretum.  We sat on a big hill overlooking the stage and White Rock Lake, chatted with friends, and ate our sushi platters from Whole Foods.  Our night ALMOST didn't happen due to storms, hail, and tornado warnings in the DFW area, but after a light shower from around 6-7pm, the evening ended up being beautiful ... (and humid).  I want to start doing this every chance I get- it was the perfect activity to do with friends, but it would also be a really fun date night! I sometimes get burnt out of "dinner and a movie" so this is an affordable alternative that mixes things up a bit :)

What you will need for your evening:
  • Cups and napkins
  • Food - snacky or a meal (highly suggest going to Central Market or Whole Foods and getting something already prepared and ready to eat)
  • Quilt / blanket to sit on
  • Drinks + Cooler (if you bring wine... be sure to bring a wine OPENER)
  • $16 to get in (you can purchase online or when you get there)
  • Umbrella... just in case
  • Camera- for the beautiful sunset, lake views, and pretty flower photo opps!
  • THIS is optional, but Ali Bowen brought them and they were a lifesaver seeing as we were sitting on a hill.  They kept our wine glasses (or plastic cups) "staked down" so we didn't have to worry about them spilling over. - why oh why did I not think of inventing that???
Happy Hump Day!!! My bestie Bromli is in town and staying with me tonight and I have missed her so much... North Carolina is too far away. The night ahead is full of girl time, giggling, and gossip :) (and wine, but that didn't start with a "g")

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Ranunculus + Requests?



I am so excited... tonight we are headed to the Dallas Arboretum for the "Concerts in the Garden" festival.   Emerald City will be entertaining us with their top hits of the decades!  It is sure to be a fun night full of good music, great friends, picnic blankets, wine, maxi dress weather, dancing, and bare feet! (P.S. My favorite flowers are ranunculus...I have graduated from Gerber daisies to something a tiny bit more sophisticated!)

I also wanted to throw something else out there... I know my friend Hanna asked if I ever took requests or questions for blogging material and I hadn't really thought about it before, but I would love to! If you have any requests or topics you want me to cover or even just want my opinion on something, I am all ears! Just leave a comment :) I would love some inspiration and to know what you enjoy reading about the most!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Wishful Wardrobe: Perfect Patio Ensemble


Floral romper, $35
Stuart Weitzman platform wedge, $365
Tory Burch nylon tote, $250
Floppy hat, $20
Ray-Ban RB3362 Cockpit Sunglasses | Official Ray-Ban Store, $139

This weekend was a blast!  Logan and I ventured to Nick & Sam's Grill for brunch and got the most perfect table for 2 outside right next to some blooming pink flowers.  It was so fun to relax, enjoy the sunshine, sip on some Sparkling Sangria / Bloody Marys, and eat some tasty food. The Hass Avocado Guacamole "Block" is to die for!

So back to the outfit... I found this STEAL of a deal romper at Delia's for only $35 and it inspired me to put together a whole "patio" look.  (I more than made up for the $35 romper by pairing it w/ Stuart Weitzmann wedges..but a girl can dream right?) I don't currently own a romper or a floppy hat...but they are both on my summer wish list!

How was your weekend? I cannot wait to tell you about the Karaoke cab... it was unlike anything I have ever done before! :) There will perhaps be video footage and a love story if you are lucky.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Patio time

As I have mentioned before, Logan and I are taking full advantage of the weather since we know it will only be a matter of weeks before the AC bill goes through the roof and we dread getting into our black cars. (especially at the end of the work day)  BUT until then, our newest tradition is to blast Pandora, cook up a meal, and eat it out on the front patio.  Last night we had steak with sauteed mushrooms, green beans, rice, and fresh strawberries that we got from the Sunflower Farmers Market near our house. Its like a cheaper Whole Foods and everything is organic and fresh.  Our "steak dinner" costs us only $18! Hard to justify a trip to The Grape or Ruth's Chris  after that ;) 







Happy weekend everyone! I am going to have some stories to share on Monday.... perhaps invovling the KARAOKE CAB this evening :) haha!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Spotlight on: Mumford & Sons



THE BAND: Mumford & Sons. We are totally bandwagon fans.  (BUT I'm going to give us credit, we were fans pre-Grammys and 102.1 The Edge)

WHY: I love that their lyrics are inspired by literature, not by other artists (these are intelligent dudes) and that they have a fresh take on folk music that sounds unlike anything else out there. Logan said the other night if he could be a musician, he would want his songs to resonate with people the way what M&S does with him.  He described their music as an experience where he breathes in the music and lyrics because they speak to his soul and subsequently gets lost in the album. Once you hear it you are never the same again. (Logan is fiercely passionate about music as you can tell by his dramatic, yet insightful assessment of the band)  


THE TOUR: We are so jealous of everyone that gets to go to THIS. Coming from a marketing dork, this is a very cool, innovative branding concept/ PR ploy...yet it fits these bands and their style & sound flawlessly.  Genius idea for a Railroad Tour. (And how perfect that they are making a pit stop in Marfa!?!?) 

THE LYRICS: I am a lyric girl... and these are some of my favorite lines. Religious? Literary? Am I overanlyzing? Either way, they speak to me in a deep way.  
  • Where you invest your love, you invest your life.  
  • Can you kneel before the King and say I'm clean.  
  • Lead me to the Truth and I will follow you with my whole life.
  • I need freedom now; And I need to know how; To live my life as it's meant to be.
  • You can understand dependence, when you know the Maker's hand.
  • Awake, my soul. For you were made to meet your Maker.
THE MUSIC: 




Hope you enjoy as much as I do! 


xo,
me

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April showers....



Source: tumblr.com via Leah on Pinterest



Sorry I have been MIA... I got a little bout of contaminated something or other this weekend which subsequently ruined my drive-in movie date with my hubby :( When trying to re-create our fun-filled day on Sunday, I just got sick again.  After 2 days of going home early from work, I finally went to Primacare yesterday (and that is a whole other sitcom for a later date... if I ever even share) and was sent home with anti-nausea medicine and strict orders to relax and drink as much Gatorade as humanly possible.  So I am considering this my "April shower" ... AND NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!! It was not that kind of sick, believe me! Today I am feeling MUCH better and I have so much to look forward to for the rest of the month.  BONUS:  Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed come out in a few weeks... so maybe the drive-in movie will be an even more perfect experience! (for me at least ha!)

I honestly had the BEST birthday up until Saturday afternoon and got some pretty sweet loot including:
  • A CRICUT.... I was so out of the loop on this technology but apparently its a Scrapbooker's MECCA! Its basically an electronic die cut machine if I understand it correctly- score!
  • A massage!!! ahhhhhhhhhh heavenly
  • PJ pants (I may or may not have ruined 2 pairs in 1 week... 1 was while doing the can-opener in the kitchen- the dance move, not the appliance- we like to dance and cook haha)
  • An adorable "tribal" handbag from my old stomping grounds at Fossil
  • An overnight tee reading "I heart French Kissing" haha thanks Brenda!
  • 2 cute dresses from my sis (1 for work 1 for play)
  • A Best Buy GC that I used to get my new ELPH point and shoot Canon! I love it :)
  • Work out clothes that match my new running shoes! (that was not planned, just coincidence)
Overall it was a great birthday.  I have asked some peeps to send me some pics of the festivities since I didn't quite have a camera yet- so I will post those later this week!

Hope everyone has a Happy Hump Day!!! I must admit- I am happy to be back at work. Daytime TV BLOWS!!! I saw the weirdest interview this week on Oprah with Shirley McLaine reincarnating herself?  She did call Oprah an alien though and I found that humorous. Had no idea this was Oprah's last season... only 30 episodes left.  What are the stay at home mommas going to do!?!? I know- Ellen :) She is way more entertaining in my opinion. Or Law & Order seems to be on all day, every day haha! Okay enough rambling- have a great night!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Happy weekend!

source

I am actually taking the day off today and spending some QT / pampering time with my mom! Then I have a few more birthday celebrations throughout the weekend including ENOS, $1 mimosas, and a drive in movie theater- can't wait! Even though its the day AFTER my 27th... I want to live by the words below... because no matter what, usually everyone wakes up peppy and in a glass half full mood on their special day! Wouldn't it be great if we could live like that? Have a great weekend! Will share stories and pics (somehow?) next week :)


source

Thursday, April 7, 2011

twenty-seven



My twenty-sixth year has been a fantastic one! I actually found out the day after my birthday last year, that I got the job at Neiman Marcus! I cannot believe I have been here that long. I watched my sis graduate from Baylor and start her first year as a real life Spanish teacher!  Logan and I moved into our Lakewood duplex that we are in love with.  We celebrated our first year as Mr. and Mrs. in Boston :) My mom got happily re-married to a great guy. And our besties (that introduced us at their wedding) popped out a baby a few weeks ago.  I will look back very fondly on my twenty-sixth year! A whole lot of change happened and I feel like I grew up a lot.  My priorities shifted, I mellowed out, and started craving creativity. 

Today I turn twenty-seven. Wow! That is pretty close to 30. (what I used to consider "old" )

BUT, I have a LOT to look forward to in my twenty-seventh year.  I cannot quite tell everyone yet, but its going to be a big year of growth and challenge for me :)  I am hoping that this year, I can get back to the basics.  Enjoy the simple things in life.  Have picnics, ride a bike, read more, listen to more music and watch less TV. I want to learn French so that we can have bilingual babies someday and I want to start sewing and crafting as much as I can.  It is when I am outside doing something creative, that I feel the most alive...Therefore, I want to do that as much as I possibly can!

Thank you Lord for a year full of blessings, health, and new opportunities. I pray that I continue to grow and learn more about who I am in You this upcoming year.  

Happy "Friday" to me! (I took the day off tomorrow...just because!)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Birthday Inspiration

Aren't birthdays just magical? I grew up in a family where birthdays were always a HUGE deal.  I remember when we were little, we would brainstorm the "theme" of our birthday party with my mom. She would go all out with decorations, invitations, a craft, themed games, and party favors. :)  I had an Asian theme one year, a 50's era bowling party, and one year- the year I turned 16- my mom gave me 16 different presents throughout the day.  Each one accompanied by a clever clue + note.  

Below are a few images I found last week on Pinterest that had me inspired and excited for this week! 




Source: google.at via Petra on Pinterest


Monday, April 4, 2011

My Bday- inspired Wish List! :)

Happy Monday! It is officially my birthday week- woohoo!!! Below are a few items I have had my eye on here lately...BUT I'm really just looking forward to a fun-filled (and short) work week!


love this Tory bag... more than the others!
 

Now I NEED this since my camera and iPhone broke! 


MASSAGE!!! Much needed.


Drive in movie date night... this is perhaps already scheduled :)


Would LOVE this necklace someday...

um THESE are adorable!



We had a chill weekend... Sunday we went to TC's Shaved Ice (my favorite) and ate it at White Rock Lake so we could relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. (although EXTREMELY windy!) It was so cute to see the wide variety of families having picnics, flying kites, or just reading books.  We felt like we were in a different city, away from the rat race and stress!  Then last night I cooked some pizza and we drank wine on the front porch and Logan played the guitar.  It was so peaceful and relaxing.  It's the simple things, right? What did you do this weekend?

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