10 things before the weekend.

Weekend? Yes you read that correctly. My weekend starts today. Four glorious days of no work. Can't get much better than that right? And since I'm heading out & taking off, I decided to cut my posts short here as well. So, pretend today is Friday... even though it's really my Saturday... but actually Thursday. Got it? Good.

Dreaming of all that free time...

Here's 10 things before I go:

1. I get an iPhone this week. Finally, finally!

2. I get to throw my sister a "baby room makeover" work day party. Can't wait to see what we end up with. And I'm planning the menu as we speak. Trying to remember there will be children & I can't pull a Sookie on them.

3. And since I'm heading to my sister's house, I get to see even more of my nephew. Who's just getting cuter every time I see him.

4. I tweaked my shoulder at the gym last week, and it's almost better. But no push ups for me for a while.

5. Family dinner tomorrow night! (At least I hope that'll happen... wonder what my mom's going to make? Or should I make something? Hmm...)

6. I've had my green beer for St. Patty's Day once & that's enough for me, but hope you enjoy the festivities. I'm out this weekend.

7. Thanks for all the chapped lip advice last week. Think I have it (mostly) under control.

8. Now I need advice for not being able to sleep. I've had terrible luck sleeping this week & it's really wearing me down. Thoughts? Ideas?

9. It's time for a hair change. I've begun musing...

This is what I'm currently working with. Eh.
This is not brushed or blow dried... just air dried naturally.

10.  Four days of rest from work seems too good to be true. I really needed it. I'm already 4 episodes into "Smash" & plan on being caught up before next week's episode ♥

See you Monday!

Have a wonderful - long - weekend ♥

{PS - Keep up with me on Twitter}

Weekly Loving...

Yesterday was a bust. But today I'm jumping in & moving onward! I'm not 100% but we're going to try to make the best of it. I have tomorrow & Friday off... so that's keeping me motivated.

Here's a few things I've been loving this past week:

•  Listening to new music...

Source: jeremylarsonmusic.com via Amy on Pinterest

• Dreaming of having people over & serving them tasty cocktails in these adorable bar glasses:

Source: blog.amyatlas.com via Amy on Pinterest

•  Terry Richardson & his amazing ability to capture celebs in such fun, candid shots.

Source: ryanseacrest.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: ryanseacrest.com via Amy on Pinterest

•  This adorable dress I discovered over at Lisa's blog. 

Source: lisaedoff.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

•  I'm also loving how sweet my guy was to me while I was flat on my back from a headache & shoulder injury. He really is the best ♥

To see what others are loving, head on over to:

This Kind of Love and The Vintage Apple

 

{Happy Wednesday!}

Where Have I Been You Ask?

put on a happy face :)

Hey guys... just checking in. It's almost 2 here & I've finally made it out of bed. A headache got the best of me & knocked me out for the day.

So I've been lying low, watching Gilmore Girls & eating soup.

Which all things considered isn't too bad. I'll just chalk it up to exhaustion. And this week is Spring Break, so luckily the office is slow. So there's really no better time to take a time out. Plus, bonus: I get vacation on Thursday & Friday. I love working for a University!

I'll be back tomorrow full swing. Just wanted to check in ♥

What's going on in the outside world?

I'd love some news from outside my bedroom!

{Happy Tuesday}

Lessons With Family Bowling

My mom's birthday in August... love this pic ♥

This past weekend I had the pleasure of putting together a birthday party for my sister Dana. She was turning 20 and I really wanted to do something for her. Because I'm a planner and that's what I do.

What I didn't expect was how much fun it would truly be to find myself bowling with 15 family members. We ranged in age from 2 to 60. Aunts, cousins, sisters, pregnant women and toddlers.

We realized we'd never done this before. How simple and common bowling is... Yet our family hasn't gone out en masse to a bowling alley like that, despite the fact that every "adult" there had worked in a 9 pin bowling alley as a youth.

What I love about the party was its simplicity. We had to move it twice, but we rolled with the punches. It was just show up and have fun. My mom made a cake, my dad bought 2 pizzas. We had 3 lanes and a surprising amount of comfy couches to lounge and hang out on.

Family is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I realize that not only liking but going out of your way to see family isn't the norm. But it's my norm. We of course have the normal family drama, but I thank God every time I'm surrounded by my family. Because they're pretty great.

What did you do this weekend?

{Happy Monday!}

10 things before the weekend.

1) I'm still looking for more tips on how to deal with my chapped lips. If you have a suggestion, let me know ♥

2) We're celebrating my sister Dana's birthday this weekend with burgers and mini golf. The whole family seems to be coming & it's going to be so much fun!!

3) I'm going to channel my inner-"Tick Tock Vintage" and go thrifting this weekend too. Hoping to find some great deals! I need a spring wardrobe spruce.

4) March Photo a Day Challenge is proving to be just as fun as February's! Are you doing it too?

Source: twitter.com via Amy on Pinterest

5) I'm craving Mexican Food. Hoping to satisfy this craving soon.

6) We started Breaking Bad last week... and are officially hooked. It's so different than our usual shows, in a good way.

7) We're about 3 weeks away from the Mad Men season premier!! AMC's kicking it off right with a Mad Men Party Guide. It includes menus, invitations, decorating tips and so much more (eek!!)

8) I'm hoping to hit 400 followers soon -- I want a legit reason (aka - one my husband will approve) to throw a big giveaway! (and ps--- hello new followers!)

9) I fell in love with this nail polish, and will probably wear it way too much for the next few months.

Source: twitter.com via Amy on Pinterest

10) I was awarded (twice) with the Sunshine Blog awards from two wonderful ladies: Callie from The Good Life and Courtney from Nose in a Book. Thanks so much, girls!!! ♥

You're supposed to answer 10 questions about yourself, so here goes:
1) Favorite Color: Purple & Gray
2) Favorite Animal: Not an animal person... but an Okapi is my fave zoo animal
3) Favorite Number: 7
4) Favorite (non-adult) drink: Dr. Pepper
5) Facebook or Twitter? Twitter
6) Passion: Social Media, Marketing & Writing
7) Giving or receiving presents? Both ;)
8)  Favorite Pattern: Polka dots & Floral
9) Favorite Day: Saturday
10)  Favorite Flower: Gerber Daisy

So there you have it. A little more about me! And passing it along to Selma, Leeann, Amanda, Hannah, Kelly, Valorie :)

{Have a wonderful weekend!!}

On Music in Marriage

A Few Years ago at ACL Fest

Last Wednesday I received an email which informed me that I'd won 2 tickets to see The Civil Wars during their taping session for Austin City Limits TV. After the initial shock wore off (of which there was literal screaming in the office by me), I called my husband to inform him that the next evening we'd be going on a mini-road trip to Austin.

In my marriage, I've learned a few things about Christian. One of the biggest lessons is that he doesn't like surprises and he likes to plan things out. He also really loves music, and would do almost anything if it meant getting to see live music (of his liking). So I was a bit nervous dumping this news on him - but he was just as excited as me, since it meant crossing "Watch an ACL taping" off his bucket list.

One of our tricks at keeping things interesting and fun is continuously pursuing music together - buying albums, listening to our vinyls, going to concerts, etc. While our tastes aren't always identical, we both try our best to respect the others' interests, and to try to merge our naturally divergent tastes.

So The Civil Wars were looming. I'd taken Christian to see them during the summer - and he'd never even listened to their album before the show. Before this one, however, he was ready & willing to listen to "Barton Hollow"... and then: he got excited. He was giddy with me. Because there's one thing that's completely undeniable about The Civil Wars... their musical chemistry is one of the best we've ever seen live. Here's one of their best moments on tape.

It's so easy to get lost in the harmonies, the joking and pure joy that pours out of both Joy and John-Paul as they perform with ease and passion. That passion is contagious, pouring over the entire crowd. Christian & I stood side by side completely enamored with the sounds reaching our ears.

It is my wish that great music in our lives will not die down. We've had some of our best memories watching great bands perform. We thrive on the anticipation that comes with the road trips and late night Whataburger runs that come before and after each show. Watching The Civil Wars reminded me of that love we have for each other. Something I need reminding of during the business of daily life.

What's reminded you of your love lately?