A few years back, these goal lists of 100 things to knock out in 1001 days (or roughly 2.75 years) were all the rage. Anytime I'd discover one, I'd pore over it voraciously, feeding off others' thirsts for accomplishment and self-investment.

Being the type that I am, I finally just resolved to throw one together myself.

So much of our lives is broken up by semesters and school-related deadlines, so it's easy for the post-graduate life to fly by without much to break it up or to view as marked successes. I thrive on knocking out tasks, big and small... so I'm excited at what this will certainly add to my day-to-day.


Check it out! What do you think? Do you have one of these, either in print or tucked in the back of your mind somewhere?

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! 

Remember that time I yammered on about how I'd plow through no fewer than three books a month in a grandiose effort to establish a more fulfilling, fruitful 2016? Ha. Then life happens, and there are events at which to toast, Netflix binges in which to snuggle with the boyfriend, and little fuzzy white dogs who demand all of the love and attention... among other things.

So yeah. I've fallen short of the plan.

However, true to form, I still have the best of intentions--and plan to knock out at least 20 books by year's end, regardless of how many I manage to get my little mitts on each month. Here's a lineup of what I hope to tackle before fall is in full force:

Spiritual:
Play With Fire ::: Bianca Olthoff 
Love Does ::: Bob Goff
Nothing to Prove ::: Jennie Allen

Personal Betterment:
Gifts of Imperfection ::: Brene Brown
Do Over ::: Jon Acuff
Presence ::: Amy Cuddy

Etc.:
Hillbilly Elegy ::: J.D. Vance
Sweetbitter ::: Stephanie Danler
Furiously Happy ::: Jenny Dawson

I just finished Love Warrior (Glennon Doyle Melton) last night. Holy WOW. Her raw vulnerability led me to race through the pages in a matter of days, and made me crave being a better writer... such a beautifully written memoir about self-discovery and the struggle of not settling.

What have you read lately? Are you following me on Goodreads?

I've been in a stupor for the past several days, unable to function much aside from being glued to weather reports and pray endlessly for relief for a land and people I love so much. The inundation of the Gulf Coast is heart-wrenching, unprecedented... it would be completely unbelievable to fathom 50+" of rain falling in four days if our TVs and computer screens weren't drowning in the now-familiar images of families struggling to find higher ground, to start piecing their lives together. While my family is much further inland, I have had dozens of friends affected by Harvey--some quite drastically.

The most magnificent showings of love have poured out over, over and over again... neighbors rescuing neighbors, strangers risking their lives to save their fellow man, highways full of flat bottom boats, volunteers who have lost so much, and in the midst have stepped up to serve the needs of others. Celebrities and corporations have given generously toward what is expected to top $160 billion in damage. But Houston is in for a long, long recovery... as are the smaller surrounding towns like Rockport and

People all over are antsy to give back and to help where they can, but it's really crucial to bear in mind what is actually needed and what would be an added burden. Here's a short list of a few ways you can help:

• Give blood. This is monetarily free, so desperately needed, and requires only your time. I have such a phobia of needles, but largely due to my dad's influence, have given blood often--it's not terrible, and you almost certainly will save lives.
• We've all seen the one-liners about how easy it is, giving to the Red Cross--but in case you've been under a rock, you can text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10 that will be added to your phone bill next month. It really doesn't get any easier (and you can do it multiple times!).
• Diapers are in desperate need. There are several ways to contribute these, and here are three different places (in the same vein, I believe wipes and feminine products are also in demand as well).
• The images of animals left behind have just ripped my heart out... a few causes that are on the front lines of Houston saving the fur babies are the Houston Humane Society, Austin Pets Alive and the SPCA.
• If you like to show your generosity via wardrobe, there are so, so many ways to contribute here... I purchased this shirt (#TEXASFOREVER), but there's also this shirt (made by none other than my go-to t-shirt place in college), and this shirt too. Because can you really ever have too many t-shirts?
• James Avery is giving 100% of its proceeds from the purchase of this adorable charm to Harvey relief efforts through September.
• If a more traditional approach is your style, The Salvation Army and Coalition for the Homeless are excellent places to toss your cash too.
• And finally, I'll be giving all my Beautycounter commissions from now through the end of September to relief efforts. 

Just find a cause that speaks to you... that's what matters. This is such a short compilation of the dozens of ways you can give back. And people really, really need it right now, y'all.

Texans are known maybe most famously, for being stubborn and prideful... and they've no doubt put that on display for the country to see over the past week. To quote a meme I saw yesterday, "if you thought we were prideful before, you should see us when our boots dry out." 

I can't wait to see y'all come back, stronger than ever.

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!