my darling pup girl is eight today. EIGHT. sixty-four in dog years. as I scrambled her eggs this morning, she blinked wearily as she politely sat nearby, watching as the runny mess sizzled in the pan before me. I felt a pang in my heart as I hoped her drowsy blinking was just a result of the early morning hour, and not her aging little body.

I'm sure I've told the story here before, but I got my sweet maizie the Christmas of my senior year of college. she wriggled onto my right shoulder and into my heart instantaneously. she was mine. and lo and behold, as the years have trudged on, she has been my constant companion every single day. from college graduation and moving to birmingham, moving to dallas, losing my job and heading back to waco... the move to nashville, the job shifting here, losing my mimi, losing my mom. I guess an eleven-pounder doesn't have much choice rather than tagging along, but if she had the capacity to be a decision-maker, I have zero doubts she'd be right next to me, every step of the way.

I'm a "dog person" about as much as is possible. she sleeps next to me every single night, she gets washed with my salon shampoo, she has a dedicated drawer for her wardrobe, I bake her homemade dog treats and she eats scramble eggs every weekend, and I save the last bite of whatever I'm eating--at each and every meal--for her. my daily routine heavily revolves around her and I wouldn't change it for the world. ST might say my treatment of her borders on "worship" but why wouldn't it? she has brought me the most immense joy and love. there's something so fulfilling and heartwarming about the adoration of a dog. she is the most perfectly content when she's curled up next to my body, and there her palpable (paw-pable? lawl.) joy when I walk in the room. I thank God for my little noodle munch, and am so excited to return home to her and shower her with homemade treats and pupcakes.

happy birthday, sweet maizie! I know you aren't firing up the laptop to read blogs today, what with your lack of opposable thumbs and all, but you deserve all of the attention and more. thank you for all of the sweetness you bring to me, every day.

here's a little of what I've been listening to, as of late. rocking leon bridges on vinyl maybe a little bit too often. and naturally, missed the window to get tickets to his show at the ryman in march. george ezra and leon bridges and hozier have voices that will just haunt you in the best way possible. we saw alessia cara at ACL and she kicked so much ass. I just want to be her BFF. meg mac's song will be your new power anthem, I can never hear enough of the bahamas, and the arcs are dan auerbach (of black keys' fame) new situation. I'm digging it.

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!

1. Today is my last day at Vanderbilt. For all intents and purposes, higher ed is all I have known for the vast majority of my career, and to put it behind me is a lot more challenging and emotional than I originally anticipated. I have met some incredible people, had some tremendous and unparalleled opportunities and truly learned every single day. Making this decision has been incredibly bittersweet, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't more than a little hesitant to switch this gear. Generically, I believe I have always assumed I don't adjust well to change, but as I get a little older (nay, wiser!), I think I might just thrive on it--as anxiety-ridden as it may be initially. I really savor a new challenge, a fresh environment, the chance to prove myself all over again. I am excited about all of that--but as change goes, hindsight is 20/20--so I am cautiously upbeat. Wish me luck.

2. In a totally shallow report, I just replaced the majority of the contents of my makeup bag. Holy hell... why is the good shit so expensive? That being said, I really, really love brand new makeup with it's unscuffed packaging and those grainy smooth, pigmented surfaces. Relatedly: go buy this fabulous lipstick. It looks good on everyone! New favorite. And grab some of this while you're at it. Your complexion will love you for it. Have you found any new products as of late?

3. So, September is officially here, and Nashville got the memo to kick it on up to the 90s again. Neat. "Ready" doesn't begin to cover how I feel about skinny jeans tucked into booties. A steaming coffee cup, buttery soft blanket and long book--curled up on the patio and watching the fog lift from the hills beyond my house. About scarves strategically-yet-sloppily tucked into quilted jackets. And soups and baking parties and pumpkins (NOT PSLs--I'm one of the lone ladies with an aversion to the stuff... do you know how much sugar is in that junk?!). So yeah... I'm ready. What do you think--bring it on, autumn, or six more weeks of summer--groundhog-style?

4. We're heading to Birmingham to BBQ on Sunday!! I'm certain I've mentioned that's where ST and I met, so it's always a nostalgic jaunt down 65 when we make the trip. We have friends who became family there--who happen to make the most amazing ribs imaginable--and I'll have my favorite peach shortbread in tow.

5. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK. Baylor kicks off at 6 tonight, I have a bet riding on the spread and oh my gosh, all is right in the world again.

//via.//



Happy Labor Day weekend!!

And hey! Happy September!!