Weekend Recap

I try really hard not to wish time away, but man. 

I love the weekends!

Friday night was low-key. 

We ate dinner, caught up on our shows, and just enjoyed relaxing.

Saturday we slept in until 7:23.

An absolute record for us. I am not sure how it happened.

After a hilly 4 mile run, I was ready for the day.

Our fence was finally being put up [woohoo]. 

Pat and I set off to Kohl's. [Imagine that.]

Y'all know I am all about a steal. 

We snagged these beauties [reg. $450 for each set] at a serious steal. They were marked down 60%, plus an additional 15% for one, and then I had a coupon for 20% on top of that.

We got two sets for half the price of one set.

Win.

Fence was complete, steaks were on the grill.

We even had a nice little visit from CPekarsk.

Bless her soul, she's dog sitting for us this coming weekend. 

I wonder if she will still be my friend afterward?!

Sunday was a pool day. 

I decided to make some homemade cookies.

Not to brag, but they turned out awesome.

 

Happy Monday!

If you don't already know... Emily Ley launched her new collection today!

Go check it out. 

I love her stuff, and will definitely be adding to my stash!

The One and Only

Today will be a recap and book review all in one.

Monday was a fun day for myself. 

I had the opportunity [along with my best friend] to go to my first book signing.

I absolutely love Emily Giffin.

And I really love her after hearing her speak and meeting [geeking out to] her!

 

Amazon Review:

Emily Giffin, the beloved author of such novels as Something Borrowed and Where We Belong, returns with an extraordinary story of love and loyalty—and an unconventional heroine struggling to reconcile both.

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

Sara's Spin:

Let me tell you, at first I didn't really know how I felt about this book.

It wasn't until after I heard her speak about the intentions behind it did I truly get it.

This book is unconventional, and at times, uncomfortable.

However, there are a lot of "life lessons" throughout.

Life isn't black and white.
Emily's books constantly have this theme-- which is refreshing.

In this book, we are constantly reminded not to get caught in the trappings of complacency,
and that sometimes, friendships/relationships are tough.
While it is not my favorite of hers, it was good and I definitely think you should read it for yourself!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was so fleeting.

However, it was full of laughter, fun people, and a little bit of rest, too.

Saturday is was up early to celebrate Caroline turning 24!

Little did she know that her local friends and I had been planning a little surprise get together at Bricktops.

I loved seeing her reaction to her friends waiting when we walked in!

Be sure and check out her blog for a recap-- I am sure it's a lot more fun than my rendition :)

 

 

It was back home to clean the house and snap a few patriotic pictures of Lila hanging out by our mini flag.

 

Last night was an early night. So no, I didn't watch Miss USA/Tony's/or the NBA finals game.

But, I did hear:

Hugh rapped with LL Cool J and TI??

Lebron didn't have cramps this game

and 

 the winner of Miss USA is a black belt in Taekwondo, and so am I.

So basically I win, too.

Today is a super exciting day. In just a few hours we [Caroline and I] get to meet Emily Giffin.

 I am beyond thrilled.

I have never been to a book signing, and I cannot wait for this to be my first!

She is one of my top 3 favorite authors.

Annnnnd we may or may not have chatted on Twitter several times. 

So there's that.

 Stay tuned tomorrow for a recap of us geeking out [trying to play it cool]. 

Later this week I will be reviewing the book for those wanting to check it out!

Five on Friday

Spicing this Five on Friday up a little bit.

In celebration of my best friend's 24th birthday, 

here are 5 reasons why I absolutely love her.

1. She was my Maid of Honor.

This is no small task.
She took on a major role to make sure I had the best day ever.

From helping me address invitations to listening to me laugh/cry/vent on a daily basis.
She even photographed my actual engagement.

Last year wasn't an easy ride for her, and no matter what, she put a smile on and supported me.
Being a best friend isn't about what you "do" for the other.
It's about who you are to the other.

2. We always match.
From music, clothes, ideas, blogs, conversations...
We are always saying the same thing.
This may seem like a shallow reason to love your best friend, but...
It is nice to know you can go to someone and know they will just get you.
No. Matter. What.
And you can expect us to show up wearing the same thing..
 It's like having a twin, minus the looks part.
 

3. She is the sister I never had.
Speaking of twins, she really is like a sister.
There isn't much about my life that she doesn't know.
Even though we have only been "together" for 6 years.
We have experienced a lot of life in those 6 years, though.
From break ups, to birthdays, to fights, to half marathons... we've been there.
She is the friend you call when your dog passes away.
She is the friend you call when you want to tell her THE news.
She is the friend you call when you cannot stand the new rap song that just came out and you don't understand what they are even saying.
[excuse my over-enthusiastic facial expression]


4. She is strong.
I am not sure how she went through what she went through last year.
And with a smile on her face, and a determination that surpasses all.
She is strong.
She perserveres.
And she is determined not to let life push her around.
For that, I am thankful to know her.



5. She is my person.
Yes, I married my best friend. But, I believe that there is always one person that will be your person.
The Christina to your Meredith, the Meredith to your Christina. 
You know, the one who would drop life to be there, and vice versa.
Sometimes, it may not always be roses and butterflies...
And we may say and do things that drive each other bananas...
But, at the end of the day... they are there. 
It's been so fun to watch her grow in to this person that she is today.
She deserves all the good things in life.
So here is to my pink-loving, norts-wearing, loud, fun-spirited, say-it-like-it-is, accessorizing, instagramming,
Steelers-fanatic,  monogramming-queen.
Honored to call you best friend.
Wishing you the best birthday.
Here is to 24 being a new year.
Love you to the moon and back.
And Go Vols.

California, here we come

On Sunday, my mom and I were wheels up to San Diego.

Even though it was for work, we had a blast!

The weather is perfect.

The food is even better!

I learned so much, and met some pretty neat people.

Mom was able to enjoy a free Zoo tour while I was in meetings.

I am already looking forward to visiting this city again!!

Here is the view from my morning run!

 

Probably the most delicious Mexican food I have ever eaten.

My cool Momma and I at the Block Party.

 Can you tell we are related?!

 

 

 Man, it is good to be home, though. 

Now to battle CMA Fest traffic!

Book Review: The Longest Ride

 

Barnes and Noble Overview:

In the tradition of his beloved first novel, The Notebook, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with the remarkable story of two couples whose lives intersect in profound and surprising ways.

Ira Levinson is in trouble. Ninety-one years old and stranded and injured after a car crash, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together - how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest College senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart. 

My thoughts:

My best friend bought this for me for my honeymoon, and she did me proud.

It started out slow in my opinion (which is unlike Sparks), but it had my attention in no-time. 

I had trouble seeing where it was going, but you had to keep the pages turning to find out.

He is one of my favorite authors, and this is definitely my top 3 from him.

You can't help but fall in love with the characters, and want to know what happens next!

I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you love Sparks.

Watch out for the movie, coming next February!

 

Book Reviews

Some may not know that I absolutely love reading.

A few bloggers have inspired me to do some book reviews of my own.

It will take awhile to post the majority of books I have read, but I am pretty excited to go back and revisit ones in the past. 

Check back every week or so for a new review! I am working on one right after this!!