Dear Spaghetti Squash...You are my new favorite go-to meal. You're healthy, you take 10 minutes to make and your recipe doesn't start with "remove plastic film from berry dessert." Dear Work....You are having a "Motherland Pot Luck Feast" today but, considering I just noticed this event on my calendar, my "motherland" is apparently going to be represented by whatever the Publix bakery has on hand.
My "motherland"
Dear Candace....you did it! #Beaufortlove Dear weather...I hate to harp, however sunny all week and then rain every.single.weekend. This is basically my worst form of torture. Dear Katie...I volunteered to help you fix up your mom's house by painting tomorrow but you should probably know I've never painted before. #pleasedon'tputmeonyardworkduty Dear Apartment....three fire alarms weekend before last. THREE. Thank you for choosing the weekend I had company too. We were real excited to roll out of bed at 3:30am for an imromptu meet the neighbors block party
I took my third TRX class last night and I think I officially reached obsessed, addicted, need-this-in-my-life status.
So just what is TRX you may be wondering? It's this:
TRX is suspension training and, I'm not even going to lie and say when I first saw this, I thought "ooohhh fun workout" - kinda like gymnastics or acrobats.
I was wrong.
TRX was developed within the Navy SEALS and is a unique training tool that allows you to use your own body weight and gravity as resistance.I have to say I'm a bit of a cardio junkie so, I do this in addition to my normal workouts but this is an awesome workout to develop lean muscle, build muscle and even lose weight. And while you may not sweat like you would on an outside summer's run, this workout is HARD. Your muscles are quivering by the end of the workout...which I find to be awesome.
But the best part? We do fun moves like "the superman" and "the crocodile" and "atomic push-ups."
and the even better part? My friend Danielle.....yep, this little blonde cookie...is an instructor so when we take class together she's basically my personal instructor.
With traffic, it usually takes me over an hour to drive the 3 miles to the TRX studio after work BUT it's THAT worth it. I love how strong I feel afterwards.
So, have I convinced you to run to your newest studio? Have you tried TRX before?
I never went to prom. I've never even been to a school dance of any kind. No homecoming, no spring formal, no turnaround dance....nada.
But every time April rolls around, I have the biggest desire to don a long sparkly dress, pile on some fake lashes (ok let's be real, I have that desire every day) and style my hair with impressive voluminous curls.
And since my god-sister, Angel, recently went to prom, the desire this year was even stronger.
How amazingly gorgeous was she?!
So even though my prom days are several years behind me, I decided to peruse prom dresses anyway. Here are some of my favs.
AND my favorite....
obsessed with the dress on the right
I basically need to go 4 proms now.
So if anyone wants to re-live their high school days with a dinner at the Olive Garden and a swing around the dance floor, I'm your girl.
But what about you? Did you go to prom? What did you wear?
It's funny how you're just one person but over the years you've been so many things to me - "mama," "mommy," "mom," vomit bucket holder and band-aid-applier, slumber-party-host, hand-holder, teacher, listener, meal-maker, encourage-er and challenger, ear-to-listen and shoulder-to-cry-on, shopping buddy, fashion consultant, furniture mover, advice giver and best friend.
You've taught me everything from shaving legs and buying bras to knowing about God's grace.
And I am forever thankful that out of all the kids in the world, only Shannon and I get to be yours. That's pretty special. I love you so much.
Dear Candace Glover....you are from my hometown which is just crazy! So wish I could have been there for the hometown concerts. Everyone is rooting so hard for you! #beaufortlove Dear music...I've been obsessed with you lately in every form. Concerts, new songs, contemplating picking the piano back up or possibly guitar. I can't get enough. Dear Summer.....you know you want to come out and play. You know you do, really. Dear The Great Gatsby.....You, me and a giant bag of popcorn box of milk duds have a date this weekend. #ihatepopcorn Dear Rebecca Donovan...I need you to write a little faster! Cannot wait for your new book to come out. She's your girl if you're looking for a great read! Dear new Facebook app....you load about 5 new stories every hour. I have over 600 friends. I know there's more going on!
So months ago, when it was still cold outside and we averaged about 4.7 hours of daylight, I made grand plans with two of my friends from back home to go to a music festival the weekend of May 4th.
And we sent endless texts and emails about what we would wear and what we would do. We fantasized about how perfect our maxi dresses and boho headbands and tank tops would look in pictures as we lounged on blankets on the fluffy green grass, eating cheese and wine, basking in the sun. We'd spend our morning laying by the pool to get just the perfect sun-kissed glow.
And finally....finally the day was upon us. The girls were here with suitcases exploding with fedoras and flip flops....and that day...that day, looked something like this.
please notice the "field"....of mud. Also, the woman in the winter coat....because the high was 48.
Needless to say, a change of plans was needed.
Naturally, when a girl has to be inside on what should be a nice summer's day, financial suicide shopping happens.
Snapping pictures in the literal 7 minutes of sun we had the entire weekend
We did manage to make it out to a super fun dinner at hot spot Barcelona. Thank God for valet parking
I swear, Charleston people are so put together. They had suitcases of jewels and patterned tops enough to fill a boutique! Don't even get me started on that top knot she put up in 2 minutes with about 1.5 bobby pins.
On Sunday, the weather toyed with our emotions. Yes, it did. It started off with 90% chance of rain and then dropped to 60%. While it was by no means sunny....or warm, we were hopeful that at least the entire ocean wasn't pouring out of the sky. After missing two full days of concerts, we decided to brave the elements so we could see the LUMINEERS! We were so excited. And literally, the moment our toes hit the pavement....the sky opened up.
We roughed it out through about 70% of the concert though because they were UGH-mazing. But then decided to call it a night because I was sick, had an 8am flight to catch, we were all freezing and, let's be real, Cheesecake Factory was calling our name.
In our "panic mode" Kat and Kristin ended up buying Hunter boots which, upon investing $150 in rubber shoes, forced us to stay on the the pavement....staring at the food trucks across the field.
Not the summer ensembles we had envisioned.
And lastly...my non-Ho-Hey favorite song by the Lumies.
Can we drool over some fashion for a minute. I think the Met Gala may be my new favorite Red Carpet event from a fashion perspective. Typically it's some of the more fun events like the Grammys. But this year's Met had some serious wow-worthy dresses.
Giselle Bundchen - Not sure if the pose or the dress are fancy enough but for some reason I love the a-symmetry of this look. And the shoes!!!
Jessica Alba - Probably my favorite look of the night. She is stunning and I am a sucker for anything cut out these days.
Blake Lively - Love how this dress makes such a popular shape look so unique
Taylor Swift...Utter Perfection. I adore her red carpet fashion. The makeup, the cut outs, the gems...this look is brilliant
Kate Upton - Girl can do no wrong. Stunning is the only way to describe this. I changed my mind...THIS is my favorite look of the night.
Nina Dobrev - This look wins in my book because I heart corset tops...and flowy skirts.
It wouldn't be fair to mention all the good without noting the bad hideous.
Madonna - Is anyone else embarrassed for her...or her children?
Cameron Diaz - Cameron recently was inducted into a Smurfs Star Wars Cult
Miley Cyrus - Somewhere out there, is a bald porcupine.
Katie Holmes - Katie fought the toilet paper roll....and the toiler paper roll won.
Gwyneth Paltrow - Gwen's boobs must have felt jealous since she put her entire rearend on display just one week earlier.
Kim Kardashian - I first had Kim in the "Love" category but, after talking to my friend Shayla, I have to say I agree that Kim looks like an un-made guest bed at the motel 8.
and soooooo many others. Who did you love? hate? XO, A
