Favorite Things October Edition

I can't believe this is the last day of October! I am sooo NOT feeling Halloween this year for some reason. I don't feel like dressing up (which I'm not) and I don't feel like handing out candy. I would blame it on the fact that I woke up with a terrible stomach ache, headache and fever, but I wasn't even feeling it before then. I'm the Halloween Grinch this year. 

The last day of the month means linking up with my gorgeous friend, Ashley! I missed this link up last month and was so sad, so I wasn't about to miss it this month. 

Here are some of my favorite things from October... 

#1. Nashville

I have been looking forward to this show since I saw the previews about 3 months ago. I LOVE country music, so a tv drama about country music seemed right up my alley. So far, this show has not disappointed me. I can't decide which character I like better, Juliette Barnes or Rayna James. 

  #2. Memories

I found a couple discs of pictures from 2006-2007. It was so fun looking back at all those pictures and reliving those moments. I had just gotten out of a bad relationship and was having a blast enjoying my new freedom. 

#3. Getting to meet Joshua Radin

Getting to see two of my favorite artists, A Fine Frenzy and Joshua Radin, in concert was amazing! Actually getting to meet and get a picture with Joshua Radin made the concert even more memorable. 

#4. Lagunitas seasonal ale, Brown Shugga

I have been so excited to try this and now I know why. It is delicious!!! By far my favorite Lagunitas beer!!! Too bad it's only around for a few short months a year. 

#5. Taylor Swift's new album Red

I am absolutely in LOVE with this cd. In my opinion, it is her best album yet. There isn't one song I don't like. I'm especially loving 22. Every time it comes on, I crank up the volume and jam out. It just makes me feel young and carefree again. 

A few things I'm looking forward to in November: my friend Melissa's wedding, trying out some recipes from my Everyday Paleo cookbook and of course Thanksgiving. What were some of your favorite things this month? Head on over and link up with Ashley. 

A little bit of this and that...

October has been a pretty busy month, so my blog has been getting neglected. Poor little blog is starting to feel lonely! This week is a busy week getting ready for my friend Melissa's wedding, so this poor little blog will probably be on the back burner for one more week. 

A few things I've been up to over the last week... 

Filled out my ballot while having a glass of wine

 Went to Target to get Taylor Swift's new album, Red. It's been on repeat since Wednesday. Love it!!! Thanks Shanna for telling me to go buy it. :)

Before going to get my hair done. 

After getting my hair done. Long layers and bangs!!! 

Took a trip to the pumpkin patch. 

   Got a rare picture of this pretty kitty that usually lives under the bed. 

Also, went to lunch with my friend, Lacey, for her 30th birthday. Planned and successfully pulled off a surprise birthday dinner (more on that tomorrow). And went to the most fun 2 year olds birthday party. 

What have you all been up to?

A Fine Frenzy AND Joshua Radin

A couple months ago, my friend Katrina text me saying that A Fine Frenzy was going to be in concert at Wells Fargo. I immediately looked it up and saw that it was not only A Fine Frenzy, but Joshua Radin too!!! I text her back and told her I was definitely in! Girls night, great music and drinks... What more can a girl ask for?! 

Last night, Pri, Carly and I met at Katrina's for some pre-show drinks and then we walked to a nearby pub before walking on to the concert. 

Of course, the bar was our first stop once we got to the concert. We met the cutest older gentleman named Joel. The next time we went back for drinks he said, "There's my IPA girls". We told him his wife would probably be jealous that we were flirting with him and he told us he was widowed. :( 

We headed into the concert to our seats. It's a small venue and we were in the 7th row!!! First up was Lucy Schwartz. She was adorable and had an amazing voice. 

Before the concert, Katrina said, "If A Fine Frenzy sucks live, I'm going to punch her!" Luckily, Katrina didn't have to do any punching! She was beyond AWESOME!!! Our only complaint is that she only performed songs from her new album and none of our favs. 

And last, but certainly not least... Joshua Radin! For some reason, the crowd was insanely dull. No one was standing up or singing along, so we decided to get the party started. We were dancing queens and singing along at the top of our lungs! A few times, he actually stepped away from the mic and was just singing to the crowd. You know an artist is amazeballs when they aren't even singing into the mic and still sound great! 

After the concert, we saw a sign saying "Buy a Joshua Radin t-shirt and you get to meet him". So what did we do?! Of course, we bought shirts and waited in line with all the other groupies girls. Once we finally got to meet him, he said "You were the girls dancing. You are what kept me going." Seriously?!? How freaking awesome is that?! 

It was the PERFECT girls night!!! 

If you've never heard of Joshua Radin or A Fine Frenzy, check out these videos of two of my favorite songs. You won't be disappointed! 

And my new fav song right now by Lucy Schwartz

Happy Friday!!!

Weekend full of movies

Jeremy was out of town this weekend, so I spent pretty much the entire weekend watching movies. 

Friday night, I went to my friend Katrina's and we made the MOST delicious Fall adult beverage called Spiced Caramel Apple.  I would not be a good blog friend if I did not share this recipe. 

Spiced Caramel Apple

2 oz ginger liqueur

1 oz caramel vodka 

2 1/2 oz apple cider

Rim martini glass with cinnamon and sugar and set aside. Add ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass. 

Easy peasy and oh so delicious!!! We tried it with both regular apple cider and spice cider and decided we liked the spiced cider better. And after a drink or two, we started mixing equal parts ginger liqueur and caramel vodka, oops! 

While consuming our yummy drinks, we decided to watch What to Expect When You're Expecting. I thought this was a great movie! It was funny when needed, but also a little sad at times. After the movie, we thought it would be a brilliant idea to walk to a local dive bar. Trina's husband was a little worried and thought we were crazy, but we assured him that with a couple of Maglites no one would mess with us. It was a great night! 

Saturday, I was nursing a terrible hangover headache. What better to do when you've got a terrible headache than lay on the couch and watch movies all day. I watched Eclipse, Field of Dreams, She's the One and Cry-Baby. Cry-Baby might just be one of the cheesiest movies ever, but my cousins and I used to watch it when we were younger and loved it. 

Sunday, my MIL and I went to see Pitch Perfect. I love love LOVED this movie. I'm a huge fan of musicals, so this was right up my alley. We laughed so hard and decided that it was just a great movie all around! Unless you just completely hate music, I highly recommend this movie.

After the movie, we decided we might as well rent a couple more movies. So we rented The Five Year Engagement and Katy Perry: The Movie. I'm not ashamed to say that I loved the Katy Perry movie. It was fascinating hearing her back story and also seeing behind the scenes of the concerts. Russell Brand is a douche! The Fiver Year Engagement was good, but not great in my book. MIL and I agreed that the first 30-45 minutes and the last 30 minutes were great, but they just drug out the middle too long.

It was a super relaxing weekend!!! I'm not sure I've watched that many movies in the past month! 

What did y'all do this weekend? 

It's Back!!!

Fall is back!!! For about a week, Mother Nature decided to be a little biotch and pretend it was summer again. Monday, it was 100! It rarely got to 100 in the middle of the summer. Last year, we hardly had summer here at all and then come October Mother Nature decided it was time for summer. I was so over it by that time!!! This year, we had a fairly warm summer, so I'm hoping Mother Nature realizes summer is over and brings on the gorgeous fall weather. 

Since it's a beautiful 70 degree day, I am in complete fall mode! So, I decided to do a little online shopping and create a collage of some of the things I need want for fall.

1. perfect chambray ex-boyfriend shirt found here. 

I have been searching and searching for the perfect chambray shirt and keep coming back to this one. Unless someone can lead me to the perfect chambray shirt that is a little cheaper, I might have to bite the bullet and pay the darn $70! Please help! 

2. TOMS Taupe Suede Women's Desert Wedges found here. 

I tried these on at Nordstrom and instantly fell in love! I did NOT want to take them off. They are the PERFECT shoe for fall, but unfortunately I have to wait until Christmas. 

3. La'Rue Leg Warmers found here. 

I am a HUGE leg warmers and boots fan! I love the colors these leg warmers come in and the price is hard to beat! 

4. Breakfast at Tiffany's Poncho found here. 

This poncho looks so stylish, yet comfortable! I would wear it with some skinny jeans and black boots. 

5. Ecote Intarsia Cardigan found here. 

I am just a little in love with the print of this oversized cardigan. 

6. Color-Block Sweater found here. 

Coral was my favorite color for summer and this is a great way to transition it into fall. 

7. My Favourite Leopard Print Scarf found here. 

I love love love leopard print!!! Add a little fun to a plain outfit with this scarf. 

8. BDG Abstract Leggings found here. 

Leggings are my favorite thing to wear in the fall! I usually stick with basic black or at least a solid color, but I'm thinking I need to branch out with a funky print this year. 

9. Steve Madden Troopa Boot found here. 

I really wanted these boots last year and I still REALLY want them this year. My Christmas wishlist is getting longer and longer!!! 

What are some of your favorite fall fashions? 

Coffee Talk

It's a little late for coffee (who am I kidding, it's never too late for coffee), but I am linking up with Natalie and answering a few questions.

1. You're at Target or Wal-Mart, what's the first department you hit? 

Target - Clothes, duh! They so conveniently put them right by the entrance to immediately suck you in! Then I usually hit accessories and then shoes. 

Wal-Mart - We usually only go to Wal-Mart when we REALLY need something that we know is ridiculously cheaper there than anywhere else. The first department we usually hit is the laundry aisle. 

2. What are three items you always have stocked in your home, fridge or pantry? 

Toilet paper (we buy in bulk from Costco),  Scentsy bars and ice cream. 

3. Do you prefer shopping alone or with others? Why?

If I'm shopping for clothes, shoes or accessories, I like shopping with others. It's fun getting feedback on your choices and it's just a fun way to have some girl time. If I'm shopping for groceries or household necessities, then I don't mind going alone. I just want to go in, get what I came for and get out. 

4. What's the biggest splurge you've ever made? 

Probably buying a car at age 18. My grandpa bought me my first car when I was 16, a 1988 Honda Prelude. I loved that car, but thought I needed something a little newer. So, I got a loan and bought myself a 1999 (this was 2000, yes I'm old) Chevy Cavalier. It was the base model, but I was so proud of myself for getting the loan and picking it out myself. 

5. What's the best deal you've ever snagged? 

Hmmm.... Usually the best deals I snag are at Kohl's when I have coupons. Speaking of, I just got a white shirt and a cardigan for $13. Total savings of $44!!! I would also say Jeremy snagged a pretty sweet deal on my Frye boots. He found them in my size only worn a couple of times on Ebay for $125 shipped (they are $228 + tax in store). They looked like they had never been worn when I got them. 

     

Head on over and get your link-up on!!!
 

No measure of time with you is long enough...

My mom left yesterday and I'm just a little sad. A month seems like a long time, but no time is ever enough with my mom. The time flew by and the house seems empty now. It didn't really hit me that she was gone until I got home yesterday and I saw the chair she sets in with the computer still set up for her. Even though there were many days we would sit here in comfortable silence, the house seemed oddly quiet. 

We did a lot of fun things; wine tasting, bbq, happy hours, a concert, shopping, dinners with friends, etc. But, the best times were the quality times together just talking or watching old videos. My mom is my very best friend in the whole world. I can talk to her about anything and know she will ALWAYS be there for me. There were times while she was here that I got a little frustrated with her and maybe snapped at her a little bit. When I went in her room yesterday, I wished I could take back all of those times I snapped at her. I don't know when I will get to see her again and I should have been cherishing the moments we got to spend with each other instead of getting frustrated. I'm sorry, Mom! 

A mother's love really is unconditional and I'm so happy that God chose her to be my mom!

I love you, Mom! I can't wait to see you again!