Monday Thoughts

1. I was down in Clemson for the weekend and I really love that place. My Tar Heels lost, but everyone was so sweet and I got to see some of my family that lives down there. My heart was so full when I left.

2. A big benefit dinner that I've been working on for one of my clients is tonight. I'm excited to eat ALL the food (four courses and four beer pairings!).

3. My mom's birthday is Friday and I can't wait to celebrate her! I know I've said this a batrillion times, but she truly is the most incredible person I know. She's my role model and my best friend.

4. Fall is such a fun season! Football, nice weather, pumpkins. I turned on the fireplace for the first time last night - heaven!

5. On that note, Halloween! I'm not a huge Halloween person, but this will be my first Halloween in my new house. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of families, so I know I'll have tons of trick-or-treaters and I can't wait!!

6. Long distance is hard. I'm definitely a person who needs her alone time, so I know it's not as hard for me as it is for other people, but it's still a bummer.

7. I need a semi-long run desperately.

8. Painting (and taping!) a bedroom is a lot of work.

9. I think I'm going to start studying for my APR. APR is a certification that PR people can get after completing a course, test and presentation. It's by no means another degree, but it shows that you know your field.

That's all I got for now. Have a great Monday, y'all!

Last Night's Run

(Yes, I'm totally ignoring the fact that I haven't blogged in two months. It was summer and I imagine y'all were on fabulous tropical vacations or grilling out and sipping champs and doing lots of things better than missing this blog.)

EEEEK. I've said it before - good runs are so good and bad runs are so bad. Last night I had a good run and it was so SO good. I've only been running a couple of times a week lately (on a good week) - usually a 2-miler and a 3-miler. I've been able to get to more Pilates classes (which y'all know I'm obsessed with) so my running has suffered.

Last night mom and I set out on a run and it wasn't 100000000 degrees or 100000000 percent humidity. It was actually pretty nice and I felt strong. So strong in fact that when it came time to turn off the greenway to head back home and wrap up a nice 3-mile run, I asked if we could keep going. My mom's a beast and runs five miles on the reg, so of course, she was game. We did four miles at a super fast pace (for us) and I felt great. I came home and felt on top of the world.

Runners' high is a real thing y'all and it's the best feeling ever.

I'm not married, but I think this article can teach us worlds about any relationship, marriage or otherwise.

My house

I know I mentioned that I bought a house, but I haven't really given you much more than that. In a word, it's perfect.

I'll start from the beginning. I began looking for houses seriously about a year ago. At first I was set on living in the little neighborhood that I had my rental in, Five Points. Five Points is this cool mix of redone bungalows, as well as some newer construction and is close to downtown. I soon discovered that the houses there were INSANE pricewise. Like $350,000 for a 900 square foot house. I convinced myself that I would be fine living in a tiny house and that I just loved the neighborhood, but my mom told me I really could get a lot more money for my house living somewhere else.

So, I started looking near North Hills (for you locals, the OTB aka affordable part, not ITB) and found a house that I really liked around September. I made an offer and the owner basically went MIA. Buying a house is stressful, but not hearing back is even more stressful. Those were a long couple of weeks of very little response and I ended up giving up.

From there, I mostly looked in that same North Hills neighborhood. Apparently the neighborhood is becoming very popular because things started going after only a few hours of being on the market. I considered put an offer on several houses that I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T PUT AN OFFER ON now at the time, just to get in the neighborhood and get something.

In March, I went to see a house on my lunch break with my (amazing) real estate agent Tim. I really wasn't expecting much, as it didn't look like the houses I had been looking at really. Most of the things I was looking at were small ranches and this was a "split foyer." For those of you who don't know what a split foyer is, I didn't either. Basically, it's a form of split level where the front door opens to the foyer and you immediately go up or down the stairs. I'd say it functions more like a two story than a split level. It was also four bedrooms, which is way more than I was planning on.

I ended up loving the house. It wasn't that everything was perfect (example: it has three bathrooms, but only one shower), but I totally felt a connection (too much?) and saw myself living there. My parents ended up coming that night to look at it and I made an offer immediately. Negotiations were (relatively) painless and the offer was accepted a couple of days later.

I've been in the house about five weeks now and I love it more every day. My childhood home (my mom's current house) is the only place that's ever truly felt like home and now this house does. I still have tons to do, but it gives me the best feeling coming home at the end of the day to that beautiful place that I can call my own.

I am trying not to pressure myself to have art on every wall or everything perfect just yet, because I really want every piece to be something I'm in love with, not something I just stuck on a wall to have something there. I'll share pictures soon! :)

Catching Up

Time for an update. Way overdue, per usual. Here are some random thoughts, in no particular order and most of no particular importance. 

• Two of my best friends, Ryan and Micaela, got married this weekend. The wedding was the perfect combination of both of them and we had an amazing time. I love love.
• I like iced coffee! I'm not really a huge coffee fan, but yesterday morning (after Saturday night's festivities) people were getting them so I joined in. Um, yum!
• I'm really happy and grateful lately. I have some amazing people in my life, I adore my house... I just am really blessed!
• I need to get back on the healthy eating train this week. Between Memorial Day and the wedding, way too much indulgence has been happening. Still debating a juice cleanse. 
• The second season of Orange is the New Black comes out on Friday. Sooo, that's what I'll be doing all weekend. 
• Speaking of the weekend, I know it's only Monday, but I'm counting down already. I'm looking forward to a weekend of absolutely no plans. Orange, the pool, grilling, decorating the house, some good runs... perfect!!
• Next post: random pictures!

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