• Repeat after me: "there are still good people in the world."
  
• My go-to line when I hug my girls after hosting them has turned into a book. Looking forward to reading this one.
  
• I've been making my own version of this salad lately, and we can't get enough. Perfect roughage for fall, and easy, easy to take to those potlucks.
  
• Another heart-wrenching tale of how someone is spending her numbered days.
  
• Are you watching The Romanoffs? Thoughts?
  
• Do yourself a favor and spend 15 minutes watching Natalie Portman give the business to the patriarchy.
  
• Grab your Kleenex. Way to go, Nike.
  
• Lucky me, my Texas girls are having babes left and right... clutch timing for me to scoop one of these up. Or 12.
  
• When the gray autumn days permeate your mood, join me in daydreaming about where to jetset next when you take your next vacay.
  
• All kinds of adorable, GW.

Have a great week, y'all!

• Like we weren't totally convinced of this already. But hey, science backing me up is always good.
  
• Tell me this isn't the cutest little housewarming present.
  
• It's a little late to be reporting on this, but if you haven't watched Meghan McCain's magnificent eulogy of her beloved father, there's no time like the present.
  
• And in keeping with the political realm.... GO BETO, GO!
  
• YES, GIRL. This is how you use your platform.
  
• Now that the temperature has momentarily dipped below 70, I cannot pry this coziness from my body. Getcha one. Or four.
  
• Ever the personal growth guru, I've kicked off a book club with my work team. Have you tackled this one yet?
  
• So, speaking of girl power... I scooped this up from a local shop and have gotten all of the compliments. Love it so much. #shopsmall
  
• Aaaand, setting us back a couple generations... I still can't decide how I feel about professional cheerleading. What say you?

Hullo! July, half over now. Officially in the latter part of 2018. I hope your fourth was all kinds of relaxing and magical, and you felt at least a smidge of pride to call the good ol' U S of A home. Mine involved the standard grilled fare, a bounty of explosives gazed at over the sticky humid, suburban sky and a homemade slip + slide that left me more than a little sore the next morning. In a word? It was perfect.

Here's a little of what life and the internet have brought me lately:

• I have a serious girl crush on Cleo Wade. (go get her book!)

• Bird flocked to Nashville, and almost just as quickly, flew the coop (PUNS). The city is working on amendments to get it stationed here for good, and the whole concept just fascinates me to no end. Do you have Bird in your neck of the woods?

• Millennial wingdings. LOL.
  
• More than a little jealous of this kid.
  
• The Royal Wedding has come and gone, but one of my favorite little print shops churned out this gorgeous snippet of Bishop Michael Curry's lovely vows... which now lives tucked among the dog photo shrine above our cozy, sectional.
  
• Who's idea was it to revamp all of Elton John's best? I'd personally love to embrace you.
  
• I've needed a bit of a social media break, so I have stepped away from Facebook for now. This week, I downloaded the Moment app for my phone, and it's been pretty alarming--the app monitors your phone usage, and can even send you notifications when you've overstepped goals you've set for yourself. I highly recommend it--it's already breaking habits I have... oddly enough, I'm not using my phone a ton, but I'm a compulsive picker-upper! #PUTITDOWN

• Follow this account now. 

• All my best girlfriends and I are kicking off a cookbook club this month--first stop, Chrissy Teigen's Cravings... I'm doing sides! I'll bring you a full report later.
  
• You can take the girl outta Texas, but you can't take the Texas politics outta the girl: somehow I managed to get myself recruited to be a volunteer for Beto's campaign. I wish like hell I could vote for him in November, but since I can't, I'll do my best to get you Texans to.

Until next time, y'all...

October!! Can it be?! It's about that time when I blink and all at once, I'm addressing Christmas cards, and Maizie's donning a sweater, and I'm struggling to creatively fit gifts in a suitcase, Tetris-style, for my trip home. I so very much love the transition into fall, and the sensation of shedding the previous months' stresses while watching the world evolve around me. So for now, despite the 80-degree days, I will savor every little minute... wearing my jeggings and booties, obviously.

Here's some goodness from the past couple weeks:

• Science tells us why campfires are romantic. I won't dispute that.
  
• My "perfect workday" looks somewhat like this... what say you?
  
• Speaking of work--this is how to appear smart in meetings. LAWL.
  
• My love for Wildfox knows no bounds... their beach sweatshirts are incredibly soft and cozy, and it's like fooling the fool with what amounts to wearing a blanket emblazoned with the sassiest phrasing. This one made its way to my Christmas list.
  
• Hallelujah! Beautycounter gives us an effortless eye makeup remover, y'all.
  
• May Designs collaborated with Target and everything is amazing. I've already scooped up my 2018 planner.
  
• If this means I can get my beloved Topo Chico without driving thirty miles, I am so on board.
  
• I am most certainly on the sheet mask train, but I've yet to buy into the selfie craze.
  
• Bumble Bizz fascinates me to no end. What do you think about it? Would you try it?
  
• I'm thisclose to breaking up with my Keurig for this guy. Have you used one? It's pure magic.
  
• Children of the '90s, you're welcome. 

Happy Weekend, y'all!

Hi, hello! And heyyyy, September! I'm trying to freshen up the look of things around here... slowly, but surely, she's coming along.

Here are some things I've stumbled upon as of late:

• This is absolutely the funniest waste of time I've discovered in a while.
• So, turns out my 31-year-old bod isn't my 21-year-old bod. Who knew? I've been tapping into these yoga poses this week to relieve some back pain from go-go-going way too much lately.
• Selena Gomez forever. Seriously, what a badass BFF. I really hope they both bounce back so soon.
• God created Millennial Earth. OMG.
• Banned books form a life sized Parthenon... Breathtaking.
• I've recently dove into a fairly elaborate (for me) skincare routine, including (drumroll): dermarolling! We'll see how long this habit lasts, but I'm digging it for now.
• A family passed down the same kindergarten dress for decades... oh my heart (and precisely the reason I saved some baby clothes my Mimi made forever ago).
• Why you should wake up at 5 a.m... I mean, this night owl ain't sold, but it has some good points that ring true.
• I am loving You Need a Budget lately... and these budgeting classes are really amazing, and geared toward all kinds of folks.
• Wall Street Journal staff tackle a blind taste test of La Croix.
• Crazy pumped for our date night tonight! 

hey, hey, hey... how's it going? Just like that, August is here. I'm skedaddling off to for a long overdue trip home to Texas next weekend, and my heart is just so happy. While the summer in Nashville has been pretty brutal, heat-wise, the days have been good to me, and I know my time at home will just add endlessly to that bucket of gratitude.

But enough about that... here's some goodness for you:

• I never knew why the "no white after Labor Day" rule came about (and yes, I adhere to it)... but now I do. 
• Speaking of whites... I hosted a favorite things party a couple weeks ago and ended up with a new Essie polish--the perfect, elegant, pinky, white nude (and I feel like I've tried them all). 
• Haim hits it out of the park again. And I love how they spell out all of the background of writing this kick-ass new album. 
• Anyone else totally weak when it comes to Wikipedia rabbit holes? Here's one of my favorites... 
• This piece about French moms is just endlessly fascinating to me. 
• Perspective is an amazing, earth-shattering thing. 
• How cool is this infographic, showing how common each birthday in the year is?? (fun fact--mine of November 24th is the 352th most popular!)
• Steel Magnolias was one of the first non-Disney movies I ever remember watching--always surrounded by the women in my family, naturally. I even portrayed M'Lynn on stage when I was a freshman in high school... and after all immersion, I still never knew the full back story until this week. So fascinating! Can you believe it's been 30 years?
• Venmo shares all of our spending secrets. I've thought about this a time or two, and it's hilarious to see someone else having written out what has crossed my mind.
• Were you part of the masses who read "When Breath Becomes Air?" What very well might be my favorite book I've read this year, completed by the author's wife. Such a heart-wrenchingly raw and beautiful love.

Have the loveliest weekend!

In the interim while I figure out what to do with this thing, I thought I might press on with corralling some of my best recent finds... this is seriously one of my favorite kinds of posts, as I am perpetually that girl who has to tell absolutely anyone and everyone who will listen about the latest cool thing I've happened upon. So... you're welcome.

• Canceled my cable recently (jubilance!) and I try to listen to TED talks in the morning when I get ready in the absence of my morning news. With this one though? I found myself breathless and tear-stained between blowdrying my hair and refilling my coffee. 
• I love the idea of curiosity cabinets... so dreamy and classic. What do you think?
• After nearly a year of searching, my beloved church announced its new lead pastor this week (a cool message from him here). The general consensus I've heard is that everyone is really, really excited. 
• Such an achingly beautiful piece on motherhood. 
• I just won this cookbook as part of an instagram giveaway (lucky me!) and am really loving it. Homegirl is local and I have the hugest girl crush. 
• Speaking of local... Paul McDonald is the latest jam master who I can't get enough of. Listen to this really cool version of one of his latest singles. Careful--it's addicting. 
• Pictures of hipsters, taking pictures of food. Because you haven't seen enough of it IRL. 
• I just, rather impulsively, hacked my hair off at my shoulders and am loving the playful, summery update. I end up wearing it like this a lot... what's your favorite summer go-to style?
• The Madoff scandal remains deeply fascinating to me (one of my favorite books came from that, here). Did you watch the HBO movie too? I thought it was pretty intriguing, based on what I've read of the stories. 
• Trader Joe's snack round-ups are the best... probably because I'm so accustomed to shopping for the same ol' things, I usually overlook the goods (prep yourself for mango overload here). One noticeable item absent from this list? Jalapeño lemonade. Y-U-M. 

Hope you and yours had the loveliest Fourth!

Happy weekend!! Another summertime weekend looming ahead, praise Jesus. We're solidifying Labor Day plans and looking to fall already, and it's a little jarring, isn't it? Here's a little of what's been going on with me:

I've really tried to up my correspondence game. The thoughtfulness of a handwritten note is unrivaled by much--anyone can spend 30 seconds on an email, right? But to carefully select a card with someone specific in mind, pick out a stamp, take the time to scrawl in your handwriting, drop at the post office... it means the world to me. I've had pen pals since I was about 7, and really try to send notes a few times a month (outside of birthday and anniversary cards). To up my game, I snagged a couple sets of awesome cards... and I think these are adorable. And come on, who could resist these?

Finally caved and invested in a couple of these tops too. Super lightweight, but wick away sweat and incredibly comfortable. I've become skeptical of Lulu's quality as it's definitely slid back in recent years, but I am loving these--great for running or to throw on after Barry's, or yep, even lounging.

My Spotify obsession is no secret. Somehow I stumbled across Megan Davies and her mashups and fell head over heels. Bonus: she'll be in Nashville in a few weeks and you can bet your boots I'll be there playing fangirl.

My office is pretty laidback, wardrobe-wise, but in the aftermath of a recent back injury, I was in desperate need for a non-stiletto situation. I found these wedges and literally get a compliment nearly every time I wear them. Really versatile, inexpensive and comfortable for all day wear. Getcha some. (...also--best summertime top ever. Ditto to the compliments.)

Move over top knots. I've been rocking a messy braid updo and I can't get enough. So painfully easy, works with any outfit and a welcome variation from my former go-to. Be ready with your dry shampoo and bobby pins.

I try to down my body weight in water everyday... This app is so badass, and will send you reminders to get your sip on when you're say--lost in spreadsheet hell. It makes it a lot easier to keep track (as does lugging a camelbak everywhere).

Earlier today, I finished Mary Louise Parker's book, Dear Mr. You. Wow. I breezed through the series of short stories in just a few days--she scrawls to all sorts of men in her life... romantic interests, family members, near-strangers. It is so ridiculously well-written, I can't recommend it enough.

Speaking of books, have you seen the trailer for Girl on the Train? I wasn't crazy about the book but the movie looks like it's going to be awesome. And who doesn't love Emily Blunt?

Are we having fun yet with this political season? Sweet Lord, I'm just ready for November to be here... take a break from reading everyone's rants on facebook, and go take this quiz to see if your favorite foods reflect your political ways.

Welcome to my new favorite food blog. Fantastic recipes, ridiculous photography, funny banter.


Enjoy your weekend, y'all! Monday brings us into August!

Thank you for all of the mad love for my Mother's Day post. The support I have from friends near and far truly gets me through the toughest of days and I am most grateful.

And on the totally opposite end of the spectrum, here's a little round-up of what's been up in my world as of late, without the annoying "LIKETOBUYIT" or whatever the hell BS links for you to be suckered into buying whatever I'm shilling.

Also? I've been burning it up on the show circuit lately... we've bebopped our way to Alessia Cara, Wild Feathers, The Lone Bellow, Leon Bridges, Alabama Shakes, Houndmouth... last week was Punch Brothers and Avett Brothers, Lumineers next week (back home in Texas!), and heading to Forecastle in July. And I never, ever get tired of it. I pinch myself to be able to enjoy music of all kinds in all kinds of venues.

...relatedly, I am having a serious moment with the Punch Brothers. Spend 20 minutes and go listen to their Tiny Desk Concert. You're welcome.

Ten habits of super confident people. I love this.

Have you jumped on the London Fog train? I am obsessed. Shoutout to my best friend Chelsea for the introduction--it's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up, slash rainy day indulgence, and I can't get enough.

Also, I am forever a bar snob. "Bar" meaning nutrition bar, because they're all mostly garbage (don't get me wrong here--I also love a good, damp dive bar, as well as elitist mixologist-harboring establishments). ST introduced me to these puppies and I am obsessed. So much better for you than a Luna Bar (which, let's be real, is essentially a Snickers). 20g of protein?! Okay.

I finally bought this necklace for myself this weekend, and am loving its brazen, showy quality. It goes so well with everything.

Did you have an American Girl doll, growing up? A new one is hitting stores this summer, and I'd be lying to say I wasn't feeling the slightest bit nostalgic for the days when I loved nothing more than playing with colonial era Felicity.

You need to buy this cookbook. Now. And then make the soy glazed salmon. You're welcome.

My next pair of glasses.

Getting married is not an accomplishment. Such a great read.

...relatedly, a fascinating piece on how single women are a prevalent, powerful force in our day and age.

I can't wait to whip these up--looks so simple, so delish and summery.

Finally making these for my living room this weekend.

Here's your next Netflix binge. My love for Gillian Jacobs lives on.

I attended a badass marketing conference last month and left inspired, ignited, invigorated. I also won this snazzy print by Aaron Draplin and am pumped to frame it and slap it up in my living room.



What's going on in your world??

we've hit that stride: the last quarter of the year when the days dissolve at an ever-increasing pace, weekends are always full, and you've just swapped the sundresses for boots and all at once, it's Christmas eve. every year, I swear I'll savor it more--that I won't let fall melt into winter, and then just wake up in a new year--and here it is, almost November. I'm attempting to hold myself accountable by putting the words on a screen--that by typing them out, and confessing my goal to stay present and to treasure the season, it'll be more likely to happen. here's hoping!


here's what I've had going:


reading | just finished the much-anticipated "the clasp" (sloane crosley). the lady is above and beyond, one of my favorites of all time, and I was so excited to tackle her first fiction work. she's endlessly clever and hilarious--so relatable. I loved it--like, stayed up until 2 a.m. on a school night, crying as I folded the book closed, loved it. If you aren't ready to commit to a full-fledged book situation, follow her on twitter @askanyone. brilliant banter comin' atcha.

And I just dove into my first jojo moyes book ("me before you")--any jojo moyes fans out there?

jamming out | hozier's live album is on repeat. as is ryan adams's 1989. we went to ACL a couple weeks ago (!!!) and I've been on a father john misty kick ever since. also digging adele's new single. as is everyone else who has a pulse.

browsing | calligraphy class info. ebay steals. my pinterest boards. an NPR article on investing.

donning | I'm about as #basic as they come in that I squeal over fall clothing. I finally invested in a trench coat that I am getting a ton of wear out of... and I'm having mad love for flannel tops too. oh! and I am head over heels for the baggy work pant trend. I just got these (red and black) and these (navy and charcoal), and basically wear them weekly. the geniuses at j. crew get all of the heart emojis from me this season.

watching | total transparency? right now, I am watching "titanic." (and yes--I'm still a tinge bitter that one of the girls I attended the theater show of, back in 1997, ruined the ending before I got to see it for myself). generically? I am loving "homeland" this season, and also have gotten into "casual" on hulu--have you seen it? I've also been bingeing on "girls" so I can be refreshed when it returns in january.

coveting | this coat. this campy watch.

sipping on | caramel apple spices. again... #sobasic.

jazzed about | my (gatsby-themed) birthday party! first trip to DC for work. the unstoppable force that is baylor football.

grateful for | my girlfriends. my health, and the health of my family. life in this amazing city. and of course, my sweet pup.

latest news | so, let's see... I haven't truly blogged anything of substance in months, so a quick play-by-play would have to include:

•  finally going to ACL--which was every bit as amazing as I thought it would be. favorite acts include shakey graves, father john misty, alessia cara, walk the moon, sturgill simpson. 

• I kicked off the new job in september--big adjustment from higher ed world, but so far, so good. to celebrate the new job and my impending big birthday, I splurged on that bag I've wanted since college. 

• my newest nephew made his debut earlier this month. I hosted nearly thirty women for an inaugural "baylor women in nashville" event. we hosted our third-annual byop party--complete with pumpkin carving, my favorite chili and the best company. phew! like I said... it's been busy. 

up next | the remaining ten weeks of the year include a lot of travel, the holidays, my 30th... a pretty full docket.

I'm kicking myself for not taking the time to scrawl out a "30 by 30." and thus, I'll be implementing my own spin with a "30 in my 30th year" sorta thing--lots of self-improvement and new hobbies on the horizon, if you're into that kinda thing.

...and now? off to watch homeland... my adoration for carrie mathison's crazy knows no bounds.

have a good week, pretties!

how you doin'?

summer is inching its way to Nashville and gah, I am ready for her. we are off for two weeks of vacay here in a matter of days and the timing couldn't be more golden. here's a roundup of life, as of late:

reading | just finished the girl on the train. honestly, looking back, it was a little meh. while I don't think it was entirely predictable, some of the buttoning up of the story line was a bit too neat, considering the intricacies of the plot line. that said, I don't NOT recommend it. it was touted as "the next gone girl," but I wouldn't put it in the same arena. I just started dana perino's "and the good news is..." and I am instantly transported back to my round-the-clock-fox-news-watching days in college, hellbent on pursuing the path of political journalism. I'm loving it.


browsing | I have a ridiculous number o' windows open on my chrome (this is new! just made the switch to chrome!) browser: lots of mad men commentary (poor betty!), grad school stuff, overpriced swimsuits for aforementioned vacation, upcoming events in nashville. tone it up. same ol.

donning | step right up. the most comfortable summer jeans known to man. I'm impatiently waiting for rain so I can finally model the wellies I've wanted for years. and my new (cheap!) bag. I have a thing for structured, simple, solid-colored bags and h+m has yet to let me down.

watching | the good wife. why the hell did I not jump on this bandwagon sooner? OMG, Alicia Florrick, you are a total shero. also? finally binged on the jinx. and it has blown my mind. ST stayed up two nights ago and watched all of them--homeboy couldn't get enough. we saw "age of adaline" a few weeks ago and it was so, so good. definitely recommend. could blake lively be any more gorgeous? life is so fair. also, rounding out mad men. whatever will I do without the mystery and deceit of don draper? (this is such an awesome forecast as to how it'll end...)

next, I am having a serious moment with amy schumer. girl is funny. go spend four minutes watching this.

wishing | texas weren't quite so many states away. and that people actually kept plans when they made them (passive aggressive to whine about, maybe... but that annoyance has become a recurring theme this week).

jazzed about |  my upcoming trip to texas! oh... and our week on a little island known as st. thomas. ;) my first two-week vacation from work ever.

sipping on | this grapefruit cocktail I found referenced in a TIU snippet.. juice one grapefruit, add a teaspoon of agave and a shot (or so ;)) of vodka... holy YUM. I've been knocking them back left and right. crazy refreshing and super easy.

wondering | how the hell was it seven years ago that I graduated from college?

looking forward to | summertime! we have so much planned, per the usual. I thrive on a full calendar.

nervous about | leaving maizie when we head out on vacation. I have such crazy anxiety about not being with her, but I know she'll be in good hands.

last, but most importantly (and therefore not least!), ST's birthday is today! happy birthday, lovey! so excited to share a fantastic weekend with you... you make that whole aging thing look so damn good. ;)

• Classpass is coming to Nashville... I'm indifferent right now, I think. I have recently gotten into Dailey Method, which I daresay, I'm enjoying more than Pure Barre... the whole, only-hitting-up-each-locale-thrice-monthly is my deterrent, as I really delve into whatever newest class I get into. what do you think? Do you have Classpass in your city?
• One of my go-to baby gifts, as of late (literally bought three sets in the past six months). Hugely appreciated by all new and seasoned moms. Trust.
• My favorite red polish lately... perfectly transitional between cold and warm seasons!
• New nightly ritual consists of this on my lips, this on my face (nothing is curing my uber-dry winter skin better).
• Scooped this flowy, feminine top up on crazy sale last week ($17!)... I'd seen it on half of the ladies in my office over the past couple months and had to have it.
• Repeat after me: Audiobooks. Audiobooks, audiobooks, audiobooks. I have an Audible account and have become completely obsessed... lately, I've been listening to Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar and just become completely engrossed in her story-telling and endless, endearing wisdom. 
• We were craving something sweet last night--operating with a minimally stocked pantry (thanks, ice storm), I'm proud to say that I managed to corral the ingredients to make these goodies from my childhood--and this recipe totally took me back to helping my mom in the kitchen, measuring the butter, and later, enjoying my reward of my crucial attention to detail when I was passed the bowl to lick. 

What have you stumbled across lately that you can't get enough of?

Thursday! Week's almost over, praise the Lord.

Here are a few things I've stumbled across on the internet and such, as of late:

• Shakey Graves just surprised with a new album, and I am digging it, for sure. His version of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" is just so, so painfully cool.
• It's Girl Scout Cookie season!! While my dad was my dealer back home (his co-worker's daughter was a Brownie), I have had to resort to my own devices here in Nashville... thankfully, I encountered an earnest bunch of dollfaces at the grocery store last week and have subsequently been snacking on Savannah Smiles, Samoas and (frozen) Thin Mints. It is a wonderful thing. Oh! And the app is totally worth getting, especially if you haven't had my luck just yet and have no dealer of your own. What's your go-to Girl Scout sweet treat?
• I have finally jumped on The Good Wife bandwagon. Why did it take this long?? Do you watch it? Juliana Margulies is all kinds of flawless.
• If you're as obsessed with Kendra Scott as I am, listen up. Amazon is offering a crazy discount (30%!) off some of their best pieces (specifically, my beloved Danielle and Skylar earrings). Use code: jewelry30. Ya welcome.
• In related news, now is a prime time to get to the barre! I've really gotten into the Dailey Method lately, but this perk is all about Pure Barre. PB is offering one free class (a ridiculously overpriced value) during February--go see if your studio is offering the promo. I have an ongoing subscription, but the promo worked for me and added a class to my subscription. (Also, the promo says it's only good for valentine's day, but it added the class to my subscription, so I think it's good for whenever--just be forewarned!)
• In more cookie news, I am a little bit ecstatic that these are a thing. Sweet Lord. Would you buy them?
• I really, really, really love Maria Menounos. This just deepens that girl crush.
• I've been a little more into horoscopes lately. I found this necklace and can't stop thinking about it. Are you into horoscopes at all, or is it way too Seventeen magazine for you?
• In case you're still on a quest for a chic 2015 calendar to print (for free!), use this one. I have it in my office and looooove.
• I am clamoring for spring like nobody's business. And at the top of the bucket list is planting my own garden... we'll see if it works out, but for right now, I've been logging the research and I'm really excited at the prospect of fresh salads and smoothies after a quick skip out to the yard.
• Here are some cute printable valentines if you're looking for a quick fix!
• We're heading home to Texas for over a week this summer and I cannot wait. It's all I'm thinking about... and this kick-ass shirt isn't helping matters. I think I need it. #hometownhero

Music and jewelry and junk food and such... yep--seems like I covered all my bases.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day--whomever you're snuggled up with!

...another year gone.

I realize with each passing year, I sound more and more like a blue-haired, AARP card-toting member of a Buick-driving, prune-juice sipping demographic (disclaimer: none of that is intended to sound disrespectful, I love older people so very much)... but I can't help it. I am genuinely dumbfounded that each passing year speeds by, quicker and quicker out of grasp.

It's been a good year. No major loss, lots of growth (big recap of my year coming tomorrow!), but the dreamer and schemer in me is so "big picture" sometimes, that it's tough to label something as grandiose as a year of life as successful. I have to consciously evaluate and reevaluate the goings-on and the emotions surrounding them before I can slap a grade on it... so, after having a little introspective session with myself, I do believe I can deem 2014 a success.

While I tweak my other year-end posts, here's a list of what I've been loving lately:

• We've made this tomato tortellini soup a few times and it's a huge hit... cozy comfort food is the name of my game.
  
• Also, I found this cake recipe a while back and have baked it several times--ST will straight up ask for it specifically, which is saying a lot, coming from his easy-going self. Bonus: both of these recipes originated with my newest favorite food blog... check them out. Also, going to make these puppies tonight!
  
• Can't stop listening to this album lately... excited to see them here in Nashville on the 17th!
  
• ...and I know I'm late to the game, but this T-Swiz mashup is just endlessly beautiful. I literally listened to it about 200 times at my desk today. Truly. (also? girl is in Nashville! the music city moniker rings true yet again).
  
• As my goal list grows increasingly longer and longer, I'm sticking to running a half-marathon (love these tips!), this ever-popular (local) juice cleanse, and taking some coffee classes at one of my favorite local shops (lucky for you, you can check out their crafty online tutorials!)
  
• A sweet and realistic post on how BFFs evolve into something else when you're in your 30s.
  
• I can't even tell you how much I love this life advice.
  
• In an effort to guide your closet purging, if that's also what you do every few months like me, this is a really helpful graphic.
  
• And in an effort to be genuinely reflective, here's a fabulous list of questions to ponder as you look back on your own 2014, and look ahead to what you hope next year brings.

xo