Random

It's been over two months. YIKES.

Let's start with a bulleted list of things that may or may not be noteworthy? Okay.

1. I bought a house. YAY! I've been in it a little over a week and it's perfect and I'm in love. All my money that used to go to clothes is going to house stuff. It's magical.
2. House buying is quite the process, y'all. So much paperwork! But totally worth it. Thank goodness for my mama throughout it all.
3. Carolina lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
4. James Michael McAdoo is going to the NBA. That one surprised me.
5. Marcus Paige is staying. He's so great. Like, who I want people to think of when they think about student athletes at Carolina. 
6. Watch this and love my sweet school like I do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WisXFOD8Jk
7. Yesterday my brother played a live guitar show at Brighton Gardens (the assisted living facility where my grandmother, Po, lives.) It was adorable.
8. Also, at said show, I discovered that Po is quite the hot commodity at Brighton Gardens. That doesn't really shock me (she looks amazing for her age and is super social), but it was fun to see.
9. I've started using wrinkle cream because I'm getting old. And I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have to get my hair colored soon. More grays keep popping up. 

Be back with more soon!!

MIA once again, I know, and this won't change much but I want to get it down for posterity's sake. Last week's home win against Duke (that was delayed a week because of snow) might have been one of my two favorite nights in the Dean Dome ever. The night started with my dad and I going to Bin 54. It was such a Carolina stereotype in the best way possible. So much wine, cheese, fans dressed in fancy clothes... I loved it. (We did nothing to help the stereotype with prosecco, a delish pinot and a cheese plate).

Yes, there have been more important Carolina Duke games and yes, there have been better Carolina teams, but after a turbulent start to the season those boys seemed to finally be having fun. I've never heard the Dean Dome that loud in my life. Ever. The Dean Dome shook. The "wine and cheese crowd" stood the entire time. I cried at the beginning (basketball girl, I guess) and cried at the end. Everyone stormed the court in pure, unadulterated joy. It was perfect. I don't ever want to forget that night or that feeling.

(My other best night in the Dean Dome? My freshman year watching the Heels win the National Championship on the big screen with all my fellow students before rushing Franklin.)

This is why I love sports. I hadn't felt that in a while and it was magical. Go HEELS!

It's Friday, y'all!

Yay for Fridays! The first full week back at work/routine is always an adjustment after the holidays so I'm pretty pumped it's Friday! And even more pumped that I don't have any major plans on the agenda. My weekend includes:

• finishing Orange is the New Black tonight (3 episodes left. beyond addicted)
• cleaning out my closets
• grocery shopping
• watching my Heels take on #1 Syracuse tomorrow
• going to see Po
• getting in a workout or two

Perfection! Have a great weekend y'all!

Photo bomb!

What are these square shaped things that aren't text? Pictures?? You haven't seen those in a while, huh? Here's a random assortment of pictures from the last a few months - the time when calories don't exist.

A group of us at The Station for drinks!

Best nap ever. Raleigh on left, Hobbes on right.

Thanksgiving morning Pilates with mimosas!

Thanksgiving with the brother!

Me, Aunt Jodi, Po, Nikki (and sweet Reese in her belly)

Me and the mom-to-be

Cast iron deep dish

My amazing discovery at Target

Baby Nins!

A moment of love

Christmas!

Santa Hobbes

Cheers-ing on Christmas Eve with Mom in our awesome cups

Bowl game outfit!

Victory walk before the bowl game (which we won!)

Snuggles with Hobbesy

With MG at Ry and Micaela's Christmas party

And I'll leave you with the most epic pork belly fried green tomato BLT there ever was. Bam.

January Blues

Does anyone else find January to be the most depressing month? The holidays end, it's cold, there is nothing to look forward to - BLAH. Any tips for combating the January blues?

I've been trying to schedule lots of friend dates in the evenings and on weekends to give me things to look forward to, but I'd love to hear your ideas!!

So it's pretty much obligatory to write some sort of 2014 post. I have a good feeling about 2014. I'm not really setting resolutions, but have a few goals/words in mind that I want to focus on this year. 

Namely:

-more joy.

-more peace.

-less guilt.

-simplify.

That's all. I've spent way too much of my life stressing about things that don't matter in the grand scheme of things and feeling guilty for things I shouldn't feel guilty for (case in point: I found myself feeling guilty about the number of days I got off work for Christmas - not extra days or anything - just the days when my company was closed.) I want to have more joy and peace (that comes from trusting God!) and share that with my loved ones too. Oh and I want to love the heck out of said loved ones.

As far as specifics, I don't have anything too definite in mind. I'd love to keep up my running and increase my distance. I'd love for 2014 to be the year of the house - aka the year I find the house I want to buy and actually get it (2013 was the year I fell in love with a house, put three different offers on it and still didn't get it. But now I get this whole house buying process a little better and I'm ready) I'd like to travel more. Even just some long weekends would be lovely. 

That's all I got. Happy 2014, y'all. 

Oh and WAR DAMN EAGLE tonight. (Yeah, I know. I'm the weirdest mix of fan ever because I genuinely like Alabama and Auburn. My grandfather loved Alabama and my grandmother went to Auburn. And generally, I'm not a Florida St. fan even though I think the ACC needs this. End weird sports rant.)

Y'all. I have to tell you about my dream last night. I woke up dying laughing.

I had a dream that I invented this really pretty zip-up hoodie that all brides and bridesmaids would wear to get ready for weddings. That way, they could just unzip them and not mess up their pretty hair and makeup. They were really customizable (apparently not a word), included a monogram and I named them...wait for it...hoodierats.

Get it? Like hoodrats?

I seriously crack myself up.

In other news, I met friends last night for a drink (maybe that explains the weird dream?) at the Station, a brand new bar/restaurant in Raleigh. I liked it! I think it will be even more fun when the weather is warm because there is an awesome patio.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! Hug your love ones extra tight.

In completely non-important news you don't care about today - I figured out how to turn up the temperature on my hot water heater after a year of not-hot-enough showers. LIFE CHANGING.

Running Bug

I have been bitten by the running bug again. I never stopped running, but I've been doing just 2 miles and a walk/run weekly. Last night Mom and I had our first run post-DST and it was amazing. We were both dreading it because the darkness means we have to leave our super flat greenway for the more hilly roads since the greenway has no lights, but it turned out to be awesome! It was a great 3 mile run and we both felt like we could go further.

I know it's just one run, but I can feel the difference in my head/heart. You runners know what I'm talking about? My heart is happy to return to the world of compression socks and uber hydration.

On that note, my running shoes are just about dunzo. Advice on what to get next? I'm thinking about making the Mizuno move - is it worth it?

Happy Wednesday!

Thoughts.

• I FINALLY turned my heat on this morning. Super low, but it still hurt my frugal heart. I'd so much rather buy people lavish Christmas presents, but I couldn't take it this morning. 
• That being said, I think it's going to be 70 tomorrow. Oh North Carolina, I love you.
• A certain boy that I know (cough MG cough) just sent me a text to tell me he added Case Keenum to his fantasy team (former backup to TJ Yates, now Texans starter). Fighting words.
• Can y'all believe Thanksgiving is only three weeks away? It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to make it down to SC with my mom's family which is a major bummer. Drinking honeysuckle vodka at the Windjammer with my mom and my Uncle Sammy is sort of my favorite activity ever. Looking forward to a low-key Raleigh Thanksgiving though. And the food. Obviously the food.
• As y'all know, my faith is hugely insanely important and vital to me. I rely on God for "the peace that passeth understanding" in times of stress. Lately though, while my mind and my heart totally register that and completely know that God will handle my stress for me (and know how incredibly blessed I am), my body isn't registering. It's sitting there on Sunday nights unable to sleep with a racing heartbeat. What the heck body? Calm down. God has this - the rest of this being called Lindsay seems to know that, so get on board. (Suggestions, advice, anything is much welcome)
• Halloween was the best. Mom and I sat out on the porch and handed out candy while drinking wine and chatting. No matter where I go (ok, I know I only live .9 miles away from her), that place is my home. Particularly the bathtub. I know that's really, really weird, but until I left for college I only took ridiculously hot, bubbly baths every night and I make sure to do that whenever I'm home. 
• Green tea is the bomb.com. I don't know how all you coffee drinkers do it. 
• Anyone ever done a (short) juice cleanse? We have new(ish) juice company here in Raleigh called Humdinger and I've really considered trying them out, but we all know homegirl loves to eat. 
• Ok. I think that's good for now. Happy November - the awesome time when football and basketball season overlap and I basically live in Chapel Hill. Perfect. 

Remember me?

Hey y'all! How has everyone been? Here are some random thoughts for your Monday.

• I like October. I know I'm a summer baby, but legit fall weather is nice.
• The fair will be here soon!! I lovelovelove the fair. Mostly people watching. I'm not a huge ride-rider. Although I love the Himalaya and all the Himalaya type rides. I know those are really for 10 year olds, but I'm a baby. I'm hoping MG will be here for some of the fair. He's not a huge fair fan, but he goes to make my heart happy. We've been to the fair together 10 years in a row now. Gah, we are old.
• This weekend I met Patrick Dempsey. NBD.
• Actually, it was a BD and it was awesome. He is very normal and kind. He came up to me and said, "I don't think we've met yet" and stuck out his hand to shake mine. Swoon.
• Yesterday my mom and I ate nachos and Goodberry's. It was delicious. She is the best. 
• I don't think I've mentioned it, but I am on a house hunt. I actually put an offer on one, only for the guy to go MIA and decide he didn't want to sell. Womp, womp. It was depressing. I really want to find something!
• I meal planned this week, so there's that.
• Oh and TJ actually played last night. But only because the Texans were getting killed. Mehhh.

My mom sent this to me today and I love it.

Only as we know what it is to cherish love when sore at some unkindness, to overmaster ourselves when under provocation, to preserve gentleness during trail and unmerited wrong---only then can we know in any degree the “manner of spirit” that was in Christ.

I know. Awful blogger. And unfortunately, I'm not sure that is going to change any time soon. But, in the meantime, here are a few thoughts.

1. Carolina lost to South Carolina (Columbia is the hottest city alive), but we had a great time.
2. Carolina beat Middle Tennessee State at home on Saturday. We had an awesome tailgate.
3. I've been really stressed about some things lately and the blessing of stress is that it reminds me - I have the most incredible people in my life. ever. And the most incredible God on my side. ever. 

Countdown: 9 Days!

Y'all. It's nine days until football season. Nine days until Carolina's Thursday night opener on the road at South Carolina.  This is legit.

I'm taking Thursday and Friday off work next week to make the trek down to Columbia with my dad. I can't wait. South Carolina is pre-season number 7. We're like 35. I've got faith, though!

In the meantime, I'm planning tailgate recipes and debating a new football outfit. Send any recommendations for either my way!

Phillip Lim for Target

I die. And they even threw in some Carolina blue. 

http://www.refinery29.com/2013/08/51541/phillip-lim-target-pics#slide-1

"I wish I had done everything on earth with you." -F Scott Fitzgerald, the Great Gatsby.

Be still my Fitzgerald lovin' heart.

HI!!

Remember me? My guess is no. I've been so incredibly MIA lately. I started a new job in the middle of July, so I have been really diving in and learning the ropes here. (Note on that: leaving RRC was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I cried like a baby in Rick's offices, but it was a decision that I had to make for my career and personal growth. One of those times that sometimes you need to do the thing that scares you, you know?)

Other than that, life has been normal and great. I'm really making a conscious effort to enjoy every minute of this life, not just count down until the weekends. Part of that time includes scheduling time with my favorite people - lunches, after work, weekends, etc. Last Monday I got to hang out with two of my favorite girls from Bailey's. We had wine at Vivace and caught up on life. So much fun. I forget how good those two are for my soul. On Wednesday, three of my best friends took me out for an early birthday dinner. We had a blast. I am so so blessed.

Thursday I had my first big media event for work. It went really well! And Friday was my birthday! I arrived to a plant, balloon and Chik-fil-a on my desk and later we had cookie cake! I have some great co-workers! I worked until 1:30 (we have summer hours at my new job!) and then went with mom for a mexican lunch, pedicure, cake and presents. She spoils me soo much! She is the greatest mom ever.

MG and Hobbes came into town for my birthday and that night MG and I headed to the new beer shop/bar in Five Points. So much fun! We then met Emily at Mellow Mushroom and then all had a sleepover at my house because the next day we headed to the lake bright and early. My dad, Lisa and Nicholas were waiting on us and we had an incredible day of relaxing on the relaxation station (y'all's favorite thing ever!!), beer and sunshine. My brother even played a concert for us! On Sunday we went out on the boat and I (sort of) got up on the real skis. I've been using little kids training skis up to this point - the skis are tied together so your legs stay in a straight line.

Things have been great and I promise to be a better blogger now. Also, I'll update with pictures later, but wanted to get something out to you guys while I had a second!

What's been new in your worlds??

I know. I haven't written in a month and I have ten thousand and twelve things to update you on, but in the meantime I am once again loving the beauty and TRUTH of these words from Mrs. Fountain, my sweet friend Mary Norris' mom.

It's a choice--a daily, hourly choice to rejoice--and rejoice always--rather than fret and complain. And a choice to pray and praise--about everything-- rather than wring our hands in worry. Turn those problems, moment-by-moment, into petitions--with thanksgiving--and then enjoy the supernatural peace that the Father longs for us to have. And peace is defined as the calm assurance that God is in complete control and that whatever He is doing is best.

This.

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they’re proven right. Because, I think there’s something inside of you—and inside of all of us—when we see something and we think, ‘I think I can do it, I think I can do it. But I’m afraid to.’ Bridging that gap, doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that—THAT is what life is. And I think you might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s special. And if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. Now you know. A mystery is solved. So, I think you should just give it a try. Just inch yourself out of that back line. Step into life. Courage. Risks. Yes. Go. Now.”

This.

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they’re proven right. Because, I think there’s something inside of you—and inside of all of us—when we see something and we think, ‘I think I can do it, I think I can do it. But I’m afraid to.’ Bridging that gap, doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that—THAT is what life is. And I think you might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s special. And if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. Now you know. A mystery is solved. So, I think you should just give it a try. Just inch yourself out of that back line. Step into life. Courage. Risks. Yes. Go. Now.”