Weekend Wrap Up

Y'all, I cannot begin to tell you how busy I am these days.  And it's mostly with lots of fun stuff!  So I wanted to do my usual weekend update, but I honestly don't even have time to write this post right now, so hopefully it will make it up before Wednesday!  Here goes!

Girl's Night In!  Courtney and her sister Allison came up to Lexington to hang out on Saturday night.  I decided that we needed some fancy cocktails to celebrate!  The first one I made was a caramel apple punch.

Recipe (from Pinterest, but modified)

1 bottle Smirnoff Caramel Vodka

1 bottle Simply Apple Juice

3 Honeycrisp Apples

Granulated White Sugar

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Coarse Brown Natural Sugar

So it's really easy; layer two of the apples (cut in slices) in the drink dispenser.  Next, pour entire bottles of vodka and juice in.  Add ice (tip: put the ice in a baggie so it doesn't water down the punch).  For the glasses, I combined all of the sugars and spices (just eyeball it) in a small dish.  Pour the mixture over a small plate and wet the outside and inside of the rim of each glass.  I used stemless wine glasses.  It really helps to make these a little bit in advance so the sugar has time to crystallize on each rim.  It's great to not have a huge drink of sugar on your first sip and also still have some left on the rim at your last sip!  So the last step is to garnish with the remaining apple slices and enjoy!

{Wine and Champagne, of course!}

I found a simple recipe (read: two ingredients) for a champagne sparkler.  It was just mango sorbet with a Brut poured over it!  Quick and delicious!  I wanted to add some mint sprigs, but I forgot them at the grocery. 

{Three cousins}

{Natalie, me, and Courts}

On Sunday after brunch, I drug my sleepy self to Lexington to go hunting for a ceremony and reception space for Kate.  We went to a couple wineries in the area, both with beautiful spaces.  I can't wait for this next year of planning with her!  Lord knows I love to plan a party!!!

Although the groom is not a fan of heights, Kate's mom and I agreed that this is the perfect way for her fiance to make his grand entrance.  We'll just have to get him a flask of bourbon to calm the nerves.

All in all, it was a great weekend and I am absolutely exhausted.  But in a good way.  I love being busy, and I love the down time in between.  Things are good these days.  Oh yeah, and the new Arcade Fire is officially out today, so if you need me, I'll be ignoring my phone and listening to that on repeat.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday Photo Dump

I've been taking a bit of a hiatus from blogging, simply because I'm tired and busy right now.  Here's a few pictures to keep you updated.  I promise I'll be back soon when I have some free time!

Girl's Night Out in lovely New Albany.  Indiana sucks.

Pre-girl's night football watching.  UK versus Bama.  Let's not discuss the final score.

The formerly, almost collapsing 64 Bridge.  Still looks a bit suspect, if you ask me.

Breakfast of Champions.  I have a serious obsession with breakfast food, waffles in particular.

What's the saying about winter and the wooly worms?  I named this one Squishy.

Halloween Tablescape and yummy turkey chili I made on Sunday morning.  

Dinner for AT's birthday at Havana Rumba.  

Lots o' fun stuff this past week, unfortunately not enough laundry doing.  I'm hoping to catch up on housework tonight so Robbie doesn't get home and realize that I let the place go to shit without him.  That reminds me, does anyone want to come over and rake my yard?

Have a great week!

The Travel Bug

I don't know what has prompted my current obsession for travel, but this is not a new obsession.  If I had my druthers, I'd be a travel journalist for National Geographic or something.  Unfortunately, those jobs are hard to come by and require much more talent than I will ever have.  Plus, I think I'd get more homesick than I realize.  

Anyway, for the purpose of enjoying a little vacation in my mind, here's a few places that I will eventually get to one day.  Some are places I've been, some aren't.  Many are on a short list entitled "quit making excuses and go there."  All will be awesome.

Aruba!  This one has been on my list for years, for no particular reason. It just looks so pristine that I want to see it in person!  Lucky for me, I'm crossing this one off my bucket list this next January!  I'm tickled pink!

Boston!  It's been years since I was there, and it was very brief visit.  And it was winter.  I want to go back when it's not negative a million degrees and snowing.  I loved it even the winter, though!

Chicago!  I have no idea why I haven't been up there more.  It's a short flight or a quick drive up.  I have family there.  It's super fun. 'Nuff said.

The Great Wall!  I don't think I need to explain why I want to see this.  Who doesn't want to see this?

Greece!  So, I'm one-eighth Greek and I think it's only appropriate that I visit the motherland.  And while I'm over there, I can go to Italy again since I'm one-eighth Italian as well.  Plus, I'm dying to see this architecture in person.  It's so beautiful!

Oh, Naples!  I've been dying to get to you for years!  I know it's going to be similar to my visit to Cinque Terre post college, but it doesn't matter. I must meet you.  And while I'm there, I'm going back to Cinque Terre.  Good lawd, it's gorgeous!  Unfortunately, when I went in 2004, it was before I had a digital SLR, so my pictures are all still in 35mm format and don't look anything like the ones from above.  All the reason to go back, no?

Patagonia! I really just want to go so I can take pictures like this.  And paddle through glaciers in a kayak.  It looks cool.  I'm assuming that's why it's popular.

Savannah! This is another one that I don't have much of a reason to not go back to.  It's close enough, and totally worth the car ride to recount Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in my head while strolling through the historic district.

Seattle!  Another, I loved it and wanna go back place!  

The Taj Majal!  Same reason as for Patagonia.  It just looks so beautiful.  And you know, apparently it's one of those bucket list things.

(Disclaimer: all images are not my own, seeing as I haven't been to half of them.  Duh.  They were pulled from Google images.)

Five on Friday!

It's Friday, you know the drill by now!  Here's the pic...

And here are the girls that started it!

This week I'm actually going to post about a few style related things!  It's been awhile since I've thought about anything that was an actual product I could recommend or have been wanting.  It's been a very introspective past few months, so it's time for some whimsy!  Plus, this blog does have STYLE in the title, so here goes...

1.  Nail Polish on sale!  Yes, I realize that two of these colors are strikingly similar.  And that three are blue.  The good thing is that I am a female and I don't have to rationalize this purchase.  So there.

2. Spotify.  I finally broke down and paid for a premium subscription.  For the measly $10.59 (including tax) per month I pay, I can listen to whatever album I want as long as it's been released.  There are a few things I haven't been able to find and a few artists/recording labels that don't have licensing agreements or whatever, so it's not like going to an actual music store or iTunes.  Plus it's not music I own.  But I did "replace" a CD yesterday that I kept forgetting had gone missing.  I have no idea how I lost a music file on my computer, but every time I get a new iPhone, some piece of music goes missing.  In the past, I've always been able to find it, in a completely random and mislabeled place, but this particular one has not resurfaced yet.  So this is the perfect solution while I'm ferociously searching in limbo.  Also, it's great for trying out new music I'm not fully committed to buying yet.  Illegally downloading music scares me because my MacBook is my baby and I don't trust the Interwebs.  Oh yeah, I only have a very small amount of storage left on my iPhone, so actually having the music files is becoming a bit cumbersome.  I could remove some not as heavily played music, but I hate not having it all there at once.  I am nothing if not overly prepared for ANYTHING.  (Sidebar: I was not paid to pimp this program.  I just think it's worth the monthly fee.)

3.  This outfit above.  This pin doesn't give a link to the place to order this sweater.  And I pinned it years ago.  That's the one thing about Pinterest that drives me crazy; half of the links don't work.  So if anyone knows where to get a similar one, let me know.  I COVET that sweater.  Also, if anyone knows how to link to my Pinterest boards without the user being logged into my account, any tips are welcome.  Or does that only happen when I click it?  This Internet stuff, so confusing...

4.  Okay this one isn't a product, but here it is anyway.  I took a break from social media a couple days ago for the majority of the day.  I logged on long enough to post my blog (written the night before) and answer a message regarding work, but other than that, I stayed away until the later evening.  It was great!  Turns out, I stress out over mundane details a lot less just in general as a result.  I know that others have had a similar revelations regarding unplugging recently, therefore I am declaring it fact.  Social media breaks are necessary for life.  Science!  Or something...

5.  I can't help it. I can't come up with enough product recommendations to make five (not that I have to, that was just a personal goal).  I'm posting another song.  This one reminds me of so many good times over the years that I can't even associate it with one memory.  I think that's why some songs stick with me over the years and end up on and off rotation.  I was reminded about this song a couple of weeks ago when watching a How I Met Your Mother rerun, and then again a few days later on Twitter and now I can't quit listening to it.  It's almost like the universe knew that it fits right in with my current obsession with slow, pretty songs with huge build ups (transitions? bridges? I don't know musical terminology.  I just know what I like).

So there you have it, my five for the week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I'm doing some photography work for a friend and spending some much needed time with my Louisville girls! I can't wait!

Happy Friday!

Meeting Miss Cate

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting the sweetest baby born on October 3, 2013.  I can say this because I have met all the babies in the world born last Thursday.  I've been super busy.  Ah, I amuse myself.  Anyway, last night Courts and I brought dinner to Mary and David as a bribery for letting me hold their baby all night.

I'm not going to lie, newborns scare the hell out of me.  I'm terrified I'm going to break them.  Luckily it only takes a few minutes for biology to kick in after I stare at them awhile, and then I'm all over that.  I spent most of the evening holding our group's newest addition.

I thought I'd share a few pictures, mostly of the food and some non-descriptive baby shots.  You never know what kind of weirdos are reading your blog, and since it's not my kid, I'm going to play it safe.

Here's what I cooked:

Chicken Enchiladas.  Super easy recipe, but a decent amount of leg work.  Totally worth it.  I'll share the recipe link I based it off of (Thanks, internet blogger lady!).  I used chicken, onions, and red peppers sprinkled with taco seasoning instead of the veggie mix.  I also didn't use any black beans, except for in two with just cheese because I didn't buy enough chicken.  Whoops.  Anyway, I thought it was amazing.  But I have been obsessed with Mexican food this past week.  I blame National Taco Day on Friday.  Moving on...

So yeah, tiny fingers.  You can't get any better than that.  Also, I'm obsessed with this kind of shot.  Can you tell???  So, it was a pretty awesome day.  I want one.  Not now though.  I need a bit more time to sleep in on the weekends before Adventures in Babyhood.

For now I must say goodbye.  It's Thursday, and I need to go find a new Fantasy QB.  Peace out, girl scout.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

I rather enjoyed sharing what I was listening to last week, so I'm doing it again this week.  I should have posted this yesterday, since I wrote it on New Release Tuesday, but I posted the weekend update instead. And there wasn't anything released that I care about.  (But I am pleased that I was not the only one excited to read this article yesterday.)  Plus, most of these songs have long since been released.  So it's a moot point.  Anyway, for your musical enjoyment...

1.  The Decemberists- The Hazard of Love Part 4.  I cannot begin to explain how much I love this band.  I bought my first Decemberists album because of a review I read on Amazon way back in 2005 before I realized that downloading music from iTunes wouldn't give my computer a virus.  Seriously, I was a late adapter to the whole downloading mp3s thing.  I swore for years that iPod's were going to ruin music.  And then I figured out how they worked and wasn't so scared.  Or I was right?  Who knows.  I'm not getting into a philosophical discussion about mediums for music these days.  Anyway, I digress.

Picaresque was the first album I listened to by the Decemberists, and I wasn't completely sold on them until I bought this one over four years later.  I think it just took my musical taste to evolve to meet where they were.  I dunno, maybe it was because I was too busy listening to Ryan Adams and Ryan Adams projects ONLY.  I went through a major alt-country phase post-college. Or as Courtney calls it, depressing kill yourself music.

Moving on...

2. Haim- The Wire.  This album was released a couple of weeks ago, actually.  But this single has been on seriously heavy rotation on XMU since it was released earlier this year.  And I listened to it on repeat for about three weeks straight.  And then I found something else to play on repeat.  And now it's back on repeat since the full album came out.  Super fun to listen to.  And super exciting that I enjoy listening to a female lead vocalist.  Usually, I hate female lead singers.  I have no idea why.  Sorry, any female lead singers out there.

3.  Frightened Rabbit- The Woodpile.  I love this band, primarily because I'm a sucker for a Scottish accent.  This guy's is amazing.  Plus, they opened for The National when I saw them, so it's fresh in my mind these days.  And plus squared, I've always been a sucker for songs like Poke, with their dreamy, romantic but dark and twisted vibe.  And have I mentioned the Scottish accent?  Yeah, it's important. 

4.  Silver Jews- Random Rules.  Okay, so I would have never been cool enough to know who this band was back in '98.  I was too busy listening to Phish and Pink Floyd back then. (Sidebar, I am not mocking this.  I still love those bands.  As does everyone and their mother.  Because it's good music.  I just listened to only things that fit into that category of music back then, and totally missed other genres because of it.)  Anyway, I stumbled upon this group via a blog I read that has absolutely nothing to do with music.  Turns out the lyrics are amazing.  I cannot get enough of their brutal honestly.  

5.  Ryan Adams & The Cardinals- Let it Ride.  Yeah, well I never really quit listening to Ryan Adams after my post college alt-country phase.  I just started listening to other music in addition to him.  I'm not even kidding, there was a period that this was pretty much always on when I was at work, home, in the car, etc.  I'll always love anything he puts out, even the not so well received stuff.   So back to this song, I put on an old playlist I made somewhere around 2006 or 2007.  This song was on it, and served as a reminder of how much I love this album.  It also reminds me a bit of fall.

6.  Wilco- Jesus, Etc. Speaking of my post college alt-country phase...here comes a little Jeff Tweedy for you.  I will never get enough of him.  Or Wilco.  Or this song.  Or this CD.  Or any of the ones that came before or after.  (Beth M., if you're reading this, you'll never guess who introduced me to Wilco.  Remind me to tell you, but I'll give you a hint: he drove our bus on STTS.  Not sure if it was '98 or '99.)  This song has actually never been off my rotation for long.  L.O.V.E. I.T.   Alright, I'm done gushing.

So there you go, another short list of the soundtrack to my week.  Hope you enjoyed.  Courts, I know you didn't, because there is no Stevie Wonder or Elvis on here.

Happy Hump Day!

It's Keeneland Time!

Ahh, opening weekend of Keeneland.  There is no better splendor in the Bluegrass.  This Friday I took off early and met my friends Holly and Tony out at the track for some horse racing, betting, Bloody Mary drinking and, of course, people watching.  It was absolutely gorgeous out, and I am so glad that I went on Friday instead of Saturday or Sunday because it poured down rain the rest of the weekend.

It was a great day, and I ended up in bed very early.  My age is certainly showing these days.  The rest of the weekend was spent watching football, cooking, and catching all the water leaking from my roof into the family room.  I swear, home ownership is for the birds.  Or at the very least, the incredibly handy.  Oh well, first world problems.

Until I have something more exciting to write about, have a great week! 

Five on Friday...Music Edition!

Once again, I'm linking up with the girls below to share my five favorite things this week!  I decided to focus on what has been on replay this week on my iPhone.  There are some oldies but goodies, and some newer stuff that I can't seem to get enough of!  Happy Friday, y'all!

1.  Radiohead- OK Computer.  More specifically, this song.

This entire album reminds me of my junior and senior years of college, driving to Bloomington, IN almost every weekend to see my boyfriend and best friend Beth (who introduced us).  I can specifically remember a certain spot near Little Nashville were I realized how brilliant this song was (somewhere around the 3:35 mark in this video).  It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, but I will always be a sucker for a transition from a chaotic, frenzied arrangement to a smoother, more mellow one and back again.  Gets me every time.

2.  alt-J- Breezeblocks.  This entire album has been heavy on my rotation for over a year or so.  The past month this track in particular has been the chosen one.  It varies which song I'm going to play on repeat from this CD, but there's always at least one.

3.  Anything by The National..  I mean anything.  Especially these two songs.

(Sorry, no super cool video.  But listen to the words.  Brilliant storytelling.)

A few weeks ago, I was able to see The National live with a bunch of friends.  It had been a long time since I'd been to any type of concert that required advance tickets, and I realized how much I missed it.  I spent the majority of my high school, college, and post college years travelling around the Southeast seeing my favorite bands live (mostly Phish, Widespread Panic, and the Avett Brothers).  It's a huge part of who I am today and I wish life didn't get in the way of my vagabonding, concert following spirit.  But on the other hand, I really like not living in a rental apartment and sleeping in my car.

4.  Bon Iver- Blood Bank.  I jumped on the Bon Iver bandwagon a little too late to ever catch them live, but this video is almost like being there, right?  Anyway, I celebrate their entire catalog.  For my money, it doesn't get any better when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"  Blood Bank.  Ha ha, I'm funny.  Anyway, if you like this band (which I believe is on hiatus) check out the lead singer's other project Volcano Choir.  Also very easy on the ears.

5.  Fleet Foxes- Helplessness Blues.  Obviously, I've had a hankering for songs on the softer, more melodic side.  If this isn't the perfect representation of that (which I often refer to as "pretty music"), I don't know what is.

So there you have it.  A few of the songs being played in my car, on my stereo, on the computer at work, and in my headphones while I fall asleep.  What's on your playlist this weekend?