Blogtember - A review of my current favorite album

Review a book, place, or product.

It's no secret around these parts that my first love and obsession is music. I cannot get enough new music loaded on to my ipod quick enough. I was that go-to friend for all the best mix cds in high school. Those that know me personally can attest to that. That being said,  et me tell you about my latest obsession, Sundy Best. You've heard me rave about these guys before, but let me reiterate my love for them. 

Back in March, I went out with some friends to see Cody Canada at one of our favorite go-to bars in Buckhead. I am a stickler to showing up to the show on time--never will I ever arrive late for a musical event. EVER! So I was kicking everyone out the door making sure we didn't miss a single song. I wasn't intending on getting there for the opener, but thank god we did! 

We, the two music obsessed people in the group, were in awe of how good these two were. It was weird. It was a kind of awe that snuck up on you. At first it was just another opener band, then the more I listened, the more I loved. We purchased the cd, and it hasn't left my car since. Billy has gotten so tired of me playing it, but he still ends up requesting to hear songs. 

Sundy best consists of two Kentucky natives,  Kris Bentley and Nick Jamerson. Though they are most definitely country, I describe their sound further as very folk and bluegrass influenced. Listening to their album makes me so nostalgic for home. Though they are singing about their Old Kentucky Home it takes me right back being a child in the foothills of Northeast Georgia. It's the soundtrack those back country roads and the highways up through the mountains. These are a few of their songs that you might just like..

This one is Billy's personal favorite. 

I admit, they're not for everyone. They're not your run-of-the-mill country stars of today. They're different, and in the best way possible. It's a refreshing kind of different. With more exposure, I see them gaining a lot of popularity over the next few years. They have that "thing I can't quite put my finger on," which is what I usually end up saying describe the artists that have that sparkle I think needed to be a successful musician. I really hope all of you love them as much as I do. 

Blogtember - A reaction/finding comfort

React to this term: comfort. 

This is a word that I have been mulling over long before I saw this was the challenge topic for the day. I've been doing a little soul searching over the last week about where I can find comfort--where my heart feels at home. 

There are a lot of things that may potentially change in the near future in my world. Some of those changes may be drastic, some of those just a little change. That uncertainty is leaving me pretty uneasy. 

When I go back to the place I used to call home, it's still the place where I grew up, but I don't see myself making it home again. I see what they mean when they say you can't go home again, but that's another blog for another day.

Now I'm here in a city where I've been for slightly over a year. When I moved into this apartment, I knew I wouldn't be here long. Initially I thought I'd soon move to the 'burbs where I imagined our future would start. I've began putting down roots here. I've since began envisioning my future coming to life. I've found comfort here, in this idea that this was the beginning of our forever.

This week, the idea of me moving to my dream city, the place where I always wanted to be, was indirectly hinted to me. Billy always told me, if I was ever given the opportunity to make my dream come true, not to hesitate. He said he'd follow me there, or anywhere else I'd decide to go.  Exciting, right? Why cant I explain this knot in my throat I've had since I was "given news I don't know about yet."

Now I'm having this internal battle in my head between comfort and dreams. My heart has always lead me to the city where I could potentially soon call home. My head doesn't want to leave the friends I've made here or the opportunities we've laid for ourselves. However, there's no excuse why I can't find comfort after a brief change. On the other hand, who is to say that I will? 

I'm sorry for being somewhat cryptic now. I don't even know if anything is actually going to change, or if I'm going to be presented this offer "i don't know about, but will receive soon." I promise I'll elaborate soon. Stay tuned. 

The Newlywed game: Dating edition

Let's try a twist on the classic favorite, the newlywed game. Let's see how well Billiam and I know each other and our relationship after 3 and a half lovely years of dating. I sent him a series of questions that I was also answering myself. Let's see how long he's going to be in the dog house..

Queue the game show music, Let's playyyyyy  the "Not so Newlywed game"

What was the first meal your significant other cooked for you?

Billy: Spaghetti

Megan: He cooked some weird chicken and Parmesan potatoes. He also talked up the menu via text when he told me there was spinach dip. I got there and it was just some frozen spinach dip. Total let down. 

Not our first dinner, but he has gotten better since his first attempt

Who is the safer driver?

Billy: Definitely me

Megan: I have a MUCH better driving record, but people just don't think I'm capable. I'm telling you, I got this. 

What was the first movie you saw together?

Billy: I believe it was Shrek 3

Megan: Good Will Hunting

Share the details of your first date? (When, where, what was the other wearing, conversation)

Billy: Our first "date" was her coming over to participate in movie night. Our first official date other than just hanging out was at Pickle Barrel.

Megan: We went to Pickle Barrel on a Thursday night in January. I remember that because it was trivia night. I had on my pink boots. We sat by the windows and played trivia along with the "find the item" game on our table. 

The infamous pink boots

If you could have the other take over what household chore, which would you and they choose and why

Billy: I don't think I understand the question...but dishes

Megan: I'd let him take over laundry. He'd want me to take over cleaning the bathroom. 

Where did you share your first kiss?

Billy: My apartment

Megan: Billys couch in his apartment on the 3rd time we hung out. 

Who is better at pinching pennies?

Billy: Megan

Megan: Him. I can get a deal,  but I always end up shopping with the money I saved. Billy is just good at going straight home after work and not spending a dime. 

What celeb does the other most resemble?

Billy: I have no idea

Megan: Perez Hilton

Who made the 1st move?

Billy: I guess I did

Megan: I think he did?

How did you first meet?

Billy: She threatened to kill me if I touched her car

Megan: He gave my roommates and I ride home from downtown one night. I later told him I was going to murder him. We ran into each other a few weeks later at a show. He totally crushed my game and stopped the free drinks I had rolling in from the nice boy that night. He offered to give us a ride home again. I politely declined, but gave him my number instead. 

What was your first fight about?

Billy: Me being gone to much

Megan: Likely to be something about baseball. We have only had like two fights.. pretty sure both baseball related. 

Who gets the last word?

Billy: definitely not me

Megan: I get the last word on everything but one topic

Which one is the clumsiest?

Billy: definitely not me
Megan: I am more graceful than him, that's for sure.

I shouldn't be surprised he remembers as much as he did. He's so good at the little things, even when I don't think he's paying attention. For the record, I am totally not a clutz!

May the re-decorating commence.

I'm sorry for the brief hiatus. I've been swamped at work, and when I get home I don't even want to think about touching a computer. However, I missed you all--I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

What's new in my world? I did a lot of rearranging of my apartment. I got some new furniture and therefore had to rearrange the old. I decided to set up a desk area that I could actually use for my after-hours work and, more importantly, my blogging. I've done nothing to dress it up yet, but this is something just to show my progress. This little nook is in the corner of my dinning area. It's the perfect size and location for my desk that I had shoved in a corner, not being utilized in my bedroom.

So now I I am officially beginning the process of slowly redecorating my bedroom. However, that hopefully will be halted soon, because I'll start dedicating all extra funds to the "Change Megan's last name" account. I have finally decided on a color scheme for the room that I want to run with: Coral, turquoise, with Navy accents.

I love this bedroom. I've realized I have a slight obsession with quatrefoil. I'm just afraid what a puppy and sweaty boy would do to this pretty white bedding. How easy is it to keep white white?

That being said, I have to decide between a duvet or comforter. Opinions/experience with that anyone? I've only ever had comforters, so I wouldn't know.

via

I'm also envisioning a coral comforter, turquoise/light blue sheets, with navy maybe in the throw pillows and wall accents? I'm also going to paint my dresser the same shade of turquoise to throw in a pop of color too!

I'm excited about getting rid of all my pink/green stuff, and feeling really good about transitioning into big girl colors and a more modern style. What do you think

Easy, Cheap DIY Burlee

I love burlees (burlap door hangers). They're always a lot of fun to make. Not to mention, they're cheap to boot! I decided to make a baseball wreath in commemoration of the Braves' inevitable play off run coming up soon. It's gonna happen.. it better happen! Let's get started..

All you'll need to complete this project is:

Acrylic Paint
A Hot Glue Gun
Something to paint with
Newspaper
Old grocery bags
Ribbon or Wire
Sissors 

 

Start by sketching out the shape you want for your hanging to be on the newspaper. I highly recommend using newspaper before you start chopping away willy-nilly on your fabric. I also don't recommend drawing on the fabric until you know EXACTLY what you want, because the colors you traced can and will bleed through. Trust me.

You can Google for TONS of ideas for designs for these babies! The possibilities are endless.

I wanted a baseball, so getting a circle wasn't too hard. I didn't have anything big enough to trace, so I cut about 10 inches of twine out and used it to draw a circle. I thought I was a genius for having a 10 grade geometry flash back to come up with that idea. If you plan on having a hanging be a mirror image both sides, I've seen where people recommend sketching out your shape out along the crease, so you can just unfold and it will be symmetrical. 

Anyone need Clinique makeup? I see Dillard's is giving away bonus bags!

Ta DA! Easiest, best looking circle I've ever drawn in my life! Now that that's done, you can place the news paper on your burlap and go to town. I've found it easy if you pin down the newspaper to the burlap with staples or pins, but that's totally your call depending on how comfortable you are.

After cutting out your shape, begin hot gluing around the outside corners of your creation. I've sewn these before in the past, but I've found it quicker and my sewing machine thanks me when I just use hot glue. Be sure to leave a small opening so that you can stuff it later. 

Since I was doing the Braves A, I knew I wouldn't get it on the first shot--especially if I was free handing. Here's a good example of why it's a good idea to trace out your idea before you start pretending you are Picasso. You see it took me a few times to get it right..

I generally trace in a relatively fine point marker with a really light tone to it so that it doesn't bleed through too much. I did the A in blue this time so that you could see it, and I was going to be painting it blue anyway so it's a win-win.

After you are ready with your design, get to painting!! Make sure you let each color dry before continuing on to the next. I know that's pretty obvious, but someone will thank me.. kind of like I would have been thanking them the first time I tried it.

It's starting to look like a baseball! I used to different shades of red so that the seams and the A wouldn't clash. I used a bright red for the seams, and a crimson red for the A itself in case anyone is planning on recreating this exact one themselves. It usually takes about two coats of paint, so don't bust your butt too hard when you see the brown burlap showing through.. It happens. 

Once everything is dry, you can stuff with the plastic bags until it reaches your desired thickness, and then finish sealing off the edges with hot glue. If you have an issue with your two sides sticking together, you can sometimes use a ruler to help pry sides apart.  A lot of people use wire to hang theirs. Personally, I'm too cheap and I never know exactly the right gauge to buy, so I just use ribbon. It hasn't failed me yet! I found a yard for $1 at Michael's!

Now hang, enjoy, and tomahawk chop our braves into the playoffs! Let's go bravos!

Blogtember - Blogging made me doing it..

Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to use this gif

Since I've began taking blogging more seriously than I had before, I've found myself being more open. More than ever, I've found myself looking into to try new things, because I know they'd be great material to share with all of you. Unfortunately for you, I sometimes forget to take pictures to make my posts useful or even worth reading so I never really share them with you, but the fact is that I have stepped outside my every day norm. I've loved all the new places and things I am finding in my new city. Likewise, I've also found myself being more open to new products that all of you recommend. Before, I had my stuff and I was sticking to it, Now I love the products I've tried because some of you said it was worth the switch.

Another one of my favorite things that blogging, in particular, has changed me is how it has caused me to get out and do something with myself rather than rot in my apartment after my work is done. I will get out and be social, get a good project under my belt, try a new restaurant, in order to have something good to talk about/make myself seem more cool than I really am. I'll get out and see my friends, because cool kids have friends. Nobody likes to read blogs of lame people, obviously.. 

Blogging has also made me start taking more pictures again, which you probably wouldn't believe based on the number of camera phone pictures I share. Regardless, I'm still taking more than I was taking around the time I started blogging and I am capturing memories again. I love looking through old pictures, and I haven't had many in recent months to a year, but I'm catching back up. 

However, my favorite thing about blogging would be the amount of confidence it has given me knowing that people like what they read, or at least pretend to. I know when I go out anda bout that not a single soul that I run into on a daily basis reads my blog nor cares that I do blog, but somehow it still makes me really happy. You know, the new panties kind of happy--It just gives you a little extra self confidence, even though no one else knows you just jumped on the 5 for $25 deal at VS. It's such a weird feeling to explain, but I'm sure you all can relate too. 

Blogtember - My Favorite Online Shops

Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

It's no secret that I am a sucker for a great boutique! I have a interests list set up on my facebook so that I can keep all of my favorites under one roof! 

Lilly Boutique

I've gotten a few dresses from Lily. I have never been disappointed! If you follow me on instagram, you saw the dress I recently won from them. I received this dress in a beautiful jade/teal color. It's great for the office with a cardigan, but also fab for a date night! They have tons of dresses that transition well from work to play. And just dresses that are perfect for play as well ;)

Simple Addiction

This place is INCREDIBLE for accessories!  You can find anything from necklaces, earrings, braclets, to scarves and other nick nacks! Not to mention most items start for under $5! How perfect is this necklace? It's only 11.95! Holy steal, batman! Items are sold in flash sale style. They're only up for a limited amount of time, so you have to check back often to see all the new pretties. 

The Red Dress Boutique

 Every Athens girl knows this is the place to shop! They always have the most adorable styles, and their humongous inventory means there is always something for everybody.  They have the best game day dresses if you are in the market for one (or a few).  This is one of my go to places!  I can never go home without stopping into the store to see what goodies they have on the racks.   This dress is a killer! Then again, Lauren makes everything she wears look like a ten!

The Blue Door Boutique

If I were to describe Blue Door in one word, it would be amazing. I don't use that word often, so you know it's just that good. If I were to pick my favorite items in my closet, 75% of them would have came from Blue Door! I kid you not! I love. love. LOVE them!  I got this top there earlier this Summer. My friends probably think this is the only shirt I wear, because I don't think I ever take it off.

Here are some of my other favorites that I have book marked and I find myself constantly perusing: The Mint Julep Boutique, Blake and Brandy, UOI, Dress Up, Hope's, Cheeky Peach,  and Impressions.  

The Gordon Reunion Tour

Friday Billy and I loaded up and headed south to Macon to meet my besties for dinner at our favorite middle Georgia Mexican restaurant, Magaritas. We swoon over their house special so we eat there any chance we get! I cannot talk enough about how good their sangrias are! Delish! We laughed and reminisced and later made some new memories when we went out for First Friday where Billy and I dominated everyone in corn hole! Funny how quick I've became good at that game :)

Please excuse this horrible picture of me.

Saturday, Billy got up bright and early to head to his baseball scrimmage/showcase/camp whatever it was. I spent the day with the girls just hanging out and while they all watched football. After I ran out of candy crush lives, I was the one that wouldn't stop talking through the entire game. So what? They knew what they were in for. 

Sunday, I went to watch Billy's travel ball team play against my former juco! It was so nostaligic to be back to the place where I spent 2 of the best years of my life. That town may be itty bitty, but it was home to some of the biggest memories and parts of my life.

Between batting practice and the game, I went and met my "god parents" for lunch. There are no words to describe what these two precious people mean to me. They were honestly sent from god to watch out for us during our first years on our own. Their house was our escape and our home away from home in every sense of the word while we were in school. When I was sick, Mama Dee made sure I had chicken noodle soup and a doctor. When I was stranded on the side of the road, Papa Parrot was the one who came in the middle of the night to save me. I used to eat lunch with them every Sunday afternoon back when I lived near by, and we got to continue the tradition this Sunday! It was so great getting to catch up with them and knowing they are still as happy as ever.

It's so hard to go back to the real world and work after having weekends with people that mean so much to you knowing they are far away again. I am going to have to make more trips down to see them in the future. After this weekend, I realized I can't stay away this long again!