The Past Two Months...In Pictures

New curtains (the couch has since been moved to the other window as  for best viewing of my new TV!)

Catching some rays at my favorite place ever, Kenan.

Hanging with some of my favorite boys.

Painted bench!

DIY wine bottle citronella torches. 

Painted table (I've been on a painting kick!)

Birthdays!

Mantle arranging.

Mulch for seating area. 

Homemade pasta!

Sibling love.

First homemade pasta dish.

Farm fresh blueberries.

Date night!

Mimosa brunch with mom.

Porch sitting.

Words with friends battles. 

Texans love. 

12 Days

until Carolina football.

I'm not counting down or anything, though.

GO HEELS!

August Goals

I absolutely cannot believe it's August. Where has this summer  year gone? But, I have to admit, August does have a soft spot in my heart. Besides being my birthday month, it also means football season is right around the corner which makes my Carolina, Kenan Stadium, tailgating lovin' heart all sorts of happy.

Here are my goals for August:

1. Pick up running again. I took some time off (oh hey 100 degree summer in N.C.), but I'm ready to get back into it. I went on a short run last night and remembered that sometimes, I really don't hate running. I'm not going for anything crazy. Just back up to 5K status.

2. Save money. This is always a goal.

3. Get house projects done. I've still got to paint a coffee table, a bench, set up my new tv, get some rocking chairs and get the backyard in order.

4. Have some fun. As Po told me the other day when I was worried about turning the number I will turn in 8 days, "You're young. You're beautiful. Have fun. Be crazy. Worry about being old in 30 years. And then you still won't be old. Listen to your grandmother."

5. Work on starting a small catering business. This has been a goal for a while, but not a very realistic one while sharing a kitchen. Now that I'm in my own house, I can move this back up the priority list.

6. More yoga.

7. Make time for girlfriends. Until recently, a good percentage of my friends have been guys. And I love that. Those boys are my brothers and I know they will be for the rest of my life. But I've gotten closer to some pretty awesome girlfriends lately. It's time to do some of the things the boys always make fun of me for doing (wine nights etc).

8. Be kind. Always. No matter what.

9. Put together some ridiculously awesome tailgate outfits. And recipes. Go Heels.

Happy August, kiddos. What goals are you working toward this month?

Today is my two year anniversary at work! I can't believe it's been two years. It seems like yesterday I was  gathering up the strength to quit my old job and now I've been here for two years. It's been an AMAZING two years. Not only do I get to do what I love all day (write), but more importantly I have met some of the most fabulous people ever. Here are a few lessons I've learned in my time here.

1) Don't be so scared. Your ideas are valid. No one cares about your age as long as you have something valuable to say.

2) There are amazing people out there. I have the most incredible clients in the world. I have some that I even consider extended family.

3) Jewelry is fun. :)

4) The amount I've grown up between 21 and 25 (yes, the next number is less than two weeks away, but I'm  ignoring it) is astounding. That being said, I still love to talk Bachelorette, tailgating and Greek life drama with my interns. They keep me young! 

5)  Nothing is that serious. As a PR practitioner, I've had to handle a few crisis situations. I've learned (from experience and from clients) how to handle those calmly and with grace AND to remember what is truly important in life. 

Here's to more lessons to come in the next few years. Happy Friday, y'all.

Gift Cards

Are you guys good at saving gift cards for when you really need them? I'm not. Once I get them, they start burning a whole in my pocket and I want to use them immediately. Case in point, my aunts sent me a Pier 1 gift card earlier this week. I can't wait to spend it this weekend. I guess I did move recently, so I sort of need it...

How long do y'all hold on to your gift cards?

Guess who's back? Back again.

I haven't been over a month without blogging in a while. My apologies to whatever sweet readers I still have. Y'all are awesome. I wish I had some super cool excuse for being MIA for a month, like I was on an incredible trip around the country. But no. Once again, life has been life and it's taken over mine.

First there was the big move (I adore my house, y'all) and then a death in the family. It wasn't unexpected, but it was still hard and taxing emotionally. Losing someone you love is never easy, no matter the circumstances.

But, I'm back, so let's get to living life again and sharing about it. Have y'all been doing anything fun while I've been gone? Do tell!

Shammond Gets a Coaching Job!

For those of you who don't know me, this post will probably make me seem like a giant stalker. Actually, it may make those of you do know me think that too (or just reaffirm that thought).

When I was about 9 years old, my dad and I started going to Eric Montross' Father's Day basketball camp. It was a fun camp filled with tons of current and former Carolina basketball players. I was at the age where I was just getting into Carolina basketball and only knew the really famous players.

As we walked around to get autographs and take pictures, I came across a player I didn't know.

"Who's that, Dad? Should I get his autograph?"
"His name is Shammond and he's a sophomore. Take a picture with him, he's going to be good."

Shammond came from a high school in Greenville, S.C. and while he was a great player there, he didn't receive much Division 1 attention. He did, however, get a D1 offer from Georgia Tech. To be in the band.

He decided his heart belonged to basketball and went to Fork Union Military Academy for a year where he caught the eye of Dean Smith.

I took a picture with him and discovered he was one of the nicest guys I had ever met. Thus began my love of Shammond Williams.

Shammond became a starter for his next to years at Carolina and I became his biggest fan. Literally. My family and I followed him to the followed him to the NBA Draft in Vancouver (okay, there were other Carolina players there too) and made it on t.v. with a sign that said, "Raleigh, N.C. supports Shammond, Antawn, Vince and Maktar."

That sign still makes me laugh hysterically. Antwan and Vince were two of the top players in the country and were both lottery picks, but Shammond had to be first on that sign.

After some moving around in the NBA, Shammond settled down with the Seattle SuperSonics for a few years. I immediately got a "Williams" Sonics jersey made (they didn't really mass produce those) and my dad bought us tickets for the game in Charlotte against the Hornets.

We got there early. Super early. Before the doors opened. Finally the doors opened, but then we were just waiting in the lobby until they let us in the stadium. While we were waiting, a very tall woman came up to me and said, "I love your jersey! Where did you get that?"

I explained that we had it made and told her Shammond was my favorite player in the world. I then found out I was talking to his mom! We talked for about an hour and she was one of the nicest people I had ever met. Once the doors opened, she made sure that I got to talk to Shammond.

Shammond was so incredibly gracious. He thanked us for coming, thanked us for being such a good fan and called my dad "sir." We took pictures and we became friends. I refused to wash my hand from where he shook it. There is a picture of Shammond and I that day and my eyes are about the size of my face.

From that day on, we'd go to all of his games and he'd come and speak to us and treat us as friends. I'm not exaggerating when I say he is honestly one of the kindest, most humble people I have ever met.

Shammond retired from basketball last year and has been hanging around Chapel Hill, giving pointers to current players. Yesterday, Furman (in Greenville, his old stomping grounds) announced that Shammond was their new assistant coach.

I could not be happier for him. Or prouder.

And now you all know what a crazy basketball stalker fan I am. No shame.

Catch Up Sesh

I'm sorry I've been MIA! Life has been, well, life, but here is a catch up on my life the last month in pictures.

Beach days

And pool days

And dinner dates

And day beds for my new house

My first attempt at painting through a Wine and Design Class

And a little Lady Antebellum with great friends

Weekend in Pictures (And a Few Words!)

My weekend started like this. The Mudcats are a 1A baseball team nearby. Their stadium has to be the nicest 1A stadium in the country. They have a gourmet restaurant, so I pretty much just ate and drank my way through the game. My kinda baseball. 

Speaking of eating, I did a lot of it this weekend. These are my all time favorite chip EVER. They are awful for you, so I never get them, but I was having a pity party since I was home dog/house-sitting while everyone else was at the beach. 

Brother and I at the Mudcats game in my new Mudcats hat!

Friday night fireworks at the Mudcats game. I am a sucker for fireworks.

Mis tres amigos for the weekend. Please ignore the Duke photo in the background. I'm too lazy to crop.

Growth Through Blogs

Time is a funny thing. You know that it passes and you know that you change, but it's really hard to tell in what ways, when and how. I was thinking about this the other day when I realized that I can actually track some of my personal changes/growth through the blogs that I read.

The first blog I came across was a very personal, emotional blog - mostly about relationships. I was ending high school and starting college and drama appealed to me. Not to say this person's blog was dramatic, but... well, actually it was. And little 17/18 year old Lindsay ate it up. I loved it. I read every line with that "Oh my gosh, I can totally relate" feeling.

Now, I stay away from those blogs. There is definitely a time and place for them (try my  high school!), but they bore me now. I've learned that it's okay to be happy. It's okay to be content. Things don't have to be super high or super low all the time. It exhausts me just thinking about that crazy emotional roller coaster.

Most of the blogs I read now are healthy living blogs. I also read lots of foodie blogs and some fashion and interior design blogs. As well as a few faith-based ones. I know that doesn't really seem important, but it shows me that I've grown from that dramatic place of extreme highs and lows to knowing who I am and what interests me. And that...that makes me extremely happy.

Mother's Day, Onion Strings, Free Dessert and a Nap

Doesn't that sound like the perfect day? It was!

I met my mom around 9:30 for a nice 3 mile walk on the greenway. The weather was in the high sixties and was perfect. We're really blessed to have such a fantastic greenway system in Raleigh. My mom's house (and mine for that matter) is about .25 miles from the start of one part of the greenway. Right now the greenway is covered in honeysuckles (my absolute favorite) and wild blackberries. I lovelovelove to eat the blackberries right off the tree. So sweet and fresh.

After our walk, we cleaned up and went to an early lunch. We decided to be "bad" before our salads and had a big ol' plate of onion strings. They were amazing! Our waiter then informed us that my mom got a free dessert  in honor of Mother's Day! Mom isn't huge on sweets, but we split a warm brownie with cookies n' cream ice cream. Delish!

When we got home, I found myself drawn to the couch where I napped for a solid hour and a half. It was heavenly. I then spent the rest of the afternoon at the rehab facility where my grandfather is staying, wishing my grandmother a happy mother's day!

I know I've said it a thousand times, but my mom really is the best. She is brilliant, beautiful, kind, supportive, loving and funny. I have no idea where I'd be without her. I love you, Mom!!

I'm Moving!

I'm excited to announce that after an incredibly amazing, crazy, heartwarming, insanely fun year at the house with Lauren, I'm going to be moving out July 1.

We have had the absolute best time living together in a gorgeous (read: way too nice for us!!) house and Lauren has become one of my closest friends in the world (read: people are actually freaked out by house close  we are), but I think we're both ready for our own places.

I'll be moving into a little bungalow in a great location in Raleigh. It's super cute, but on the older side. What suggestions do y'all have for making an older bungalow feel like home?

Smoothie Success

After posts (onpostsonposts) about smoothies all over the blogosphere, I decided to try my hand at one this morning. I haven't made a smoothie since I was a kid and those weren't the most healthy ones. Today I threw everything but the kitchen sink into the blender and it turned out delicious. I included a banana, about 5 huge strawberries, half a container of strawberry banana chobani, some random amount of oats, some random amount of chia seeds, a handful of spinach (okay y'all were right - you really can't taste it!), ice and a splash of milk.

The texture is a little weird - I think as the result of the oats - but I almost like it because it seems more filling. Smoothie #1 - success!!

Crazy Love

Po and Big are my grandparents (long story on the names, but suffice to say, leaving grandparents' names up to the grandchildren is the way to go). I've been wanting to write about them on here for a long time, but have hesitated. I've hesitated for a couple of reasons. I've hesitated because they've come across some tough times of late and I don't want to only give you that small of view of them. Mostly, I've hesitated though, because I don't think I can do them justice.

Po is a southern grandmother in the best sense of the word. She is southern, sassy and not-at-all grandmother like except in her love for her grandchildren. Growing up I remember a diamond iguana pin that Po would wear on her clothes. She's still one of the most fashionable people I know and goes to the "beauty shop" once a week. She would always cook me bacon and eggs and sing and dance with me.

Big is a tougher shell to crack, but it's worth it once you get through. A former football player and Army veteran, Big is all testosterone. When I was younger, Big didn't always talk a lot, but he was always given the responsibility of saying the blessing before dinner. He always said the best blessing and thanked God for the opportunity to be together and for "help in our future business endeavors." I always thought that was funny, but that's just the type of guy he is.

Po and Big met in Georgia when they were twelve. They've been inseparable ever since.

Po and Big are fun. They drink. They cuss. They are irreverent. And they are madly in love.

Po and Big are not the old gray-haired grandparents you think of who hold hands (though they do that) and sit quietly. They are not together because they have been together for 50 years. They are together because they are crazy in love. Po and Big are loud. And sassy. And flirt. They look at each other today like they'd do it all again in a second if they could.

Their love isn't the picture perfect love you see in movies. It's crazy and fun and wild and doesn't give a damn. And in my mind, that's perfect.

Update

I CAN RUN AGAIN!!! Of course, this week is one of my busiest in the evenings so I don't know when I'll cram one in, but I assure you I will. I think I'll ease into it with pilates tomorrow night! Such a relief and blessing!!

It's In My Blood

Sorry I've been :MIA for the past week. To make a long story short (and less disgusting) I had cyst (totally nothing to worry about - just painful) removed from my leg last week. After some not so successful procedures (again, sparing you the gross details), Friday the doctor made a one inch incision and removed it. Goodness gracious, that was painful. But I'm on the road to recovery and all is well. 

I have learned a few things from this past week though.

1. We take our health for granted. I spent all weekend in bed, sore, tired and doped up on antibiotics and pain pills. I couldn't wait to get out of bed and come to work today.

2. Running is in my blood. I never (ever) thought I'd say that, but all week the one thing I missed most was running.  I need to remember this on the days I don't feel like running.

3. I like being active much more than being sedentary. Sure, laying around all weekend sounds nice, but I definitely craved sunshine, interaction and fun. I need to remember this when I feel like I've taken on too much. 

4. My doctor is awesome. That really doesn't have anything to do with the price of tea in China as a life lesson, but it's true.

I have a follow-up appointment in just a few minutes. Fingers crossed I can lace up my running shoes again soon!

BE GRATEFUL!

(Super Hilly) 5k Complete!

Happy Monday, y'all! I'm feeling pretty happy today! You know when you have those moments where you're just like, "Wait a second. My problems are nothing and my blessings are enormous. Life is good"? Well I'm in that kind of mood.

The weekend was great - very laid back and relaxed. Saturday morning I ran a 5k through North Hills by myself in preparation for a 5k my dad and I are running this weekend. Overall, I was happy with  my time. I'm still (so so so) slow, but I thought I did well considering it was an extremely hilly course!

Looking forward to a productive week! What did you guys do over the weekend?

Garmin Confirmed.

So, I got my Garmin and I love it. But it has confirmed what I already knew.

I am incredibly slow.

HELP: Protein Powder

I PROMISE this is my last random health food topic for a while. But again, I need your help. I'm looking to buy a delicious protein powder to add to shakes and smoothies. I want it to have great nutritional stats, but taste yummy too!

Can y'all please provide some suggestions? What's your favorite protein powder?

Help: Nutritional Yeast

More on health foods today. Do any of y'all use nutritional yeast? I've read awesome things about it, but wanted to know your opinion. I love cheese and am most definitely not a vegan, but the nutritional benefits sound amazing. I know it's good for me, but really, how does it taste? And what do you sprinkle it on/use it in?