Holiday Time-Out!

It's the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year!

Happy Holidays, friends - we'll see you in 2013!

Music Stuff: Our First Concert

You never forget the thrill of the first time you hear some songs you love played live...



My dad took me to my first concert at the Tulsa Fair Grounds to see Alan Jackson.  I'm sure we went solely for the ever-popular Chattahoochee song.  We'd sing it all the time, my mom thought we were just hilarious (obviously I had no idea what the song was about at such a ripe age).  Though besides this being my first concert experience, it was also one of the first times I remember seeing my dad for the amazing man he is.  Back then, anyone could smoke, anywhere really, and my Dad and I ended up with seats next to someone who was lighting up incessantly.  Well, he marched over to a security man and said the seats just weren't going to work for he and his young daughter.  And like magic, we were shuffled to the FRONT ROW.  I thought my dad was superman that day. 

I'm not 100% sure that this is my first concert, but it is the first concert that I remember being truly awesome. I was 10. I went with my mom, my 3 best friends and their moms! Mother-Daughter concert date! What is also so awesome about this concert is that Point of Grace and 4Him performed in Gallagher-iba Arena... if you aren't an Oklahoma State University fan then that fun fact won't be as exciting to you. I remember our seats were on the court, my mom must have stood in line for days for those tickets! P.S. I googled and found the article from 1996 about them performing at OSU, that was a big deal for 2 huge groups to perform in Stillwater, Oklahoma!

GARTH BROOKS CALLIN' BATON ROUGE by rawestern
I've been fortunate enough to see some pretty dope concerts in my day. However, I think seeing Garth Brooks for my first concert just set the bar unbelievably high. He's a phenomenal performer and one of the few country acts that is known and loved across the U.S. I'm also pretty partial to him because he says my name in a song.

Hello Samantha dear, I hope you're feelin' fine!  (min 1:20)

I swear, hundreds upon hundreds of seats back from the stage, I know he was singing directly to me :)

To follow the themes of first concerts being country music or at the fairgrounds, mine was both!  I grew up in a little bitty town called Woodward in Oklahoma (pop. 12,000), and for some reason, a somewhat successful country music singer named Bryan White gave a concert at our fairgrounds when I was in 6th grade.  My dad took me and my best friend, and we sat at tables in folding chairs.  It was weird, but also awesome.  Bryan White was only really prominent on the country music scene around 1995-1998, but you might remember his songs "Rebecca Lynn," "Throw Another Nickel in the Well," "Someone Else's Star," or "My Heart's Sitting on Go," or even the song I put up for you above, which I still maintain is one of the saddest songs everrrrrrrrrrr.

Julia Child is One Smart Lady

Lately I've been sitting on the couch, watching TV, and eating ice cream.  And I'm tremendously interested in all 3 things. 

I might need to reevaluate my passions a bit!

Making Lists

For all of those working gals (and guys!) who take their lunch every day, do you prepare the night before?  Or grab whatever you can in the fridge on your way out the door?  Perhaps have the luxury of running home for a quick bite?

 (via)

My method has always been grab whatever on my way out the door, which usually results not grabbing enough and feeling hungry by 1 o'clock. I end up running down the street to buy a quick "snack" aka lunch that was actually thought out and healthy, that I could have prepared myself if i was a little more prepared.

Not good. 

So this week I tried something new!

I actually went grocery shopping on Sunday. Yeah!  The menu idea wasn't in my head then, but I happened to grab enough items to piece together breakfast, lunch, and a snack for the week.  This is what I came up with:

Not mentioned: a bag of chocolate candy in my desk, mixed nuts, and granola bars whenever I needed a little extra.

This is what I ate from 8am-3:30pm, and then grabbed another snack the moment I got home.  It's a pretty good start.  I had some awesome lunches this week, I didn't have to spend any extra $$, and I really enjoyed making that list above!

Happy Halloween!

Ghoulish transformations performed on the amazing Picmonkey

Favorite Stuff: October

A few of our favorite things this month (or year)!

I'm not sure why I am making this my favorite this month, because it has been my favorite for about 2 years now, but I think it's about time I talked about this. (I recently put it in Valerie's get well box!) My mother-in-law opened my eyes to these incredible color catchers and they actually work! I seriously have saved numerous loads of laundry and clothes with these babies. Now I wouldn't suggest putting your sexy red panties in with your favorite white tee, but you can live a little with your colors and darks. It's amazing! At under $4 you too can have easy laundry days.

Last week I talked about my love for the cheese-tastic Dancing with the Stars, and this week I was provided with one of my favorite moments ever from the show:  when Carrie Ann Inaba fell out of her chair in a fit of overjoyed ecstasy.  She wasn't hurt at all, so that means we get to laugh at it!

Ah, this candle.  It's from Anthropologie (swooooooon) and it's probably way too pricey for a little ol' candle, but it smells so good and I've had my eye on it all month. My in-laws are big into Christmas lists, so I think this bad boy is going to make the cut!  Next time you are in Anthro, take a sniff and let me know what you think. 

Are they together? Are they not?!

Jef and Emily were photographed hanging out, still in love (my own interpretation), after their official "we're not together anymore" announcement to People. 

(via)

I can't take the games, you two.
We are still rooting for you!

TV Stuff: Fall Shows We're Excited About

Leaves changing colors, the holidays approaching, everything pumpkin, and TELEVISION.  These are a few of our favorite things about fall!

I have to go with Nashville -- for the country girl deep down inside, the big love for Connie Britton, and the pure enjoyment of a diva throw down.

This is such a hard decision! Fall TV is what I look forward to the most! I could pick all of the funnies out there right now and I wouldn't be lying but I think what I'm most excited about is The CW, particularly Gossip Girl and 90210 (along with others). I have been watching these shows since college, and they are still going strong. Well, not that strong, but they are still on the air for one more season so good job! I love the fashion and the ridiculous unbelievable story lines, I love that I never remember what happened the previous episode, and I love feeling like I watched these crazy kids grow up. The CW sure knows how to make magic....

As Heidi said, this was tough! I love Fall TV too. Probably more this year than ever before... I could literally write about so many show I'm stoked for; Vampire Diaries (I love the CW too Heidi!), Hart of Dixie, Revenge, Nashville, Sons of Anarchy, Switched at Birth, The Office, Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, Duck Dynasty, X- Factor, Downton Abbey (projectfreetv.com, you da bomb!) and truly the list could go on forever and a day. HOWEVER, life just really seems to get in the way of any and all TV watching. Between school in the mornings, work in afternoon/evenings, then studying, cooking, working out, showering (let's be honest, doesn't happen much either)... my TV time is quite miniscule. It's really sad... However, in my heart and mind I know I will watch them all eventually.  Someday, someday...

My favorite for the fall has already been on for 4 weeks:  DANCING WITH THE STARS.  I love this show so much I wish it was on every night of the week.  My dream in life is to reach the minimum level of fame possible to be on this show.  I don't know how I'm going to achieve that, but...just you wait.

What do you have your DVR set for?

I want to be a crazy lady too.

I was taking a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood with my pup, Zia, the other day when I see a small sedan flying around the corner and then abruptly stop on the side of the street.  A woman inside, late 50s, petite, bounded out of the car, door left open, and started dancing wildly.

I was obviously staring, how could you not?  So she yells to me from across the street "I just needed a moment, and I haven't heard this song in years. I love this song!"

First reaction: whoa, crazy.
Second reaction: I want to be just like her.

I want to be the woman who finds joy in the simple things. 
I want to be the woman who shares her excitement with strangers.
I want to be the woman who stops to dance in the street.

Man Down, Man Down!

We originally had the usual Friday group post planned for today, but one of our comrades is down for the count. So instead, we decided a well wishes post was more appropriate!

For the past two{ish} years, Valerie was fighting major back problems. However, yesterday, she had surgery that's going to fix her right up and this back business will be done for good.  So, after a speedy recovery, she can get back to her...

elvis impersonating,

stair jumping,

party-rockin', self!

Get well soon Val.
All our love :)

Letting It Go

I tend to over-analyze a situation past the point of real reasoning.  Please tell me other people do this too (actually no, I don't wish that on anyone!). It gets pretty far-fetched, trust me.  But when my feelers are hurt by a situation, I take it hard.  Even when I look back and realize it really wasn't that big of a deal.  In the moment, it still hurts, right?

So, I needed this simple reminder to let things go today.
If for no other reason than what I was worrying over was getting just plain heavy.

Maybe you needed this little reminder too :)

(photo via Rocketrictic)

Music Stuff: Favorite Movie Soundtrack

So, my favorite soundtrack doesn't fall under just one movie, but a series of movies... THE TWILIGHT SERIES THAT IS. I can't even pretend to be ashamed because these soundtracks are just that good! I know, I know... but really guys, before you stop reading, give these bad boys a go.  I truly can't decide which one I love more out of the 4 options. It all depends on the day and what kind of a mood I'm in, but for the sake of the post I will say that New Moon was my favorite. I genuinely listen to every song on the album! Not just a select few :) I'm glad my love for the soundtracks hasn't faded at all, which I sadly cannot say about the books or movies.

 



I debated picking one of my favorite artsy/indie movie soundtracks but then I decided I wasn't being honest with myself or with you all.  So here it goes, High School Musical, 1, 2, and 3. I love them all. Does it count that it's a musical and the first movie wasn't even on the big screen? Whatever, HSM is by far the best soundtrack out there. Is it possible to not start dancing around your room every time you hear any of their greatest hits? I couldn't pick my favorite song but "Can I Have This Dance" really brings it home for me, I posted the extended scene so you can relive the love for yourself.

Remember that obsession with Zach Braff that I mentioned awhile back?  Well, it mostly stemmed from this movie, Garden State, and the fact that he picked out all of the music himself was a cherry on top.  Seriously, love this guy (though now that I follow him on Facebook, I find he cusses a whole bunch and is mildly inappropriate, but I try not to think about that).  Above is my favorite song from the soundtrack, Let Go by Imogen Heap (also known as Frou Frou).  Enjoy!

 
Love Actually, if not my true favorite movie, is at the very least the movie I have watched the most times.  Probably upwards of 20.  It's just complete and total perfection.  And the soundtrack totally is too!  It starts with a Kelly Clarkson song and ends with Christmas music <-- #winning.  The clip above is a perfect showcase of two of the other songs on the soundtrack as well.  First is the instrumental one, which is called "Love Actually Theme" on the soundtrack, and it will make you feel all the feelings.  Then when he walks outside, and Dido's "Here with Me" starts playing, and he zips up his sweater at the exact moment that the music gets epic...IT SLAYS ME.

Ever-Strange Content

Can you really tell a lot about a woman by the content of her purse?

Because I'm very unsure what this photo says about me!

Favorite Stuff: September

September really flew by, didn't she?!  Another month gone, another list of our favorites!

I'm not a big lipstick girl. In fact, the only things I wear on my lips is Carmex and maybe lip gloss, usually in a non-color. But the wedding I just flew to Oklahoma for the bride gave us lip gloss along with other goodies. This Bobbi Brown Popsicle 3 gloss is a real crowd pleaser. It looks great on any lip, stays on and is very moisturizing. It also looks like it's going to be bright, but it's not at all, it's just shiny and even looks great over an actual lipstick color. Yo go Bobbi, you go!

    
A friend sent this video to me, I watched, and then immediately starting doing the horse-like dance.  Now, I try to bust it out every where I go: side of the street, my husband's triathlon, at work.  And in the last few weeks 'gangnam style' has totally blown up in the internet world, and on Ellen!  Which means immediate success, right?  Watch, it's fun and ridiculous. 

Sam's September Favs: 

Future Husband's GQ debut!   

(Yes, I bought it) 

My baby boy's 3rd birthday! 

THE AVENGERS ON DVD!

I love it any time an awards show comes around and all the pretty dresses come out to play!  These 5 above were my favorite from the Emmys (apparently I'm into the primary colors?).  As you can tell, the super-glamorous, blinged-out dresses are not my cup of tea - my favorites are always the ones I could actually see myself wearing (should the occasion ever arise where I get to attend a red carpet event, that is!).  And I had to be sure to throw my girl Mayim Bialik in the mix for two reasons:  first of all, that shade of red is banging; second of all, I'm pretty sure that from a distance, she and I could be twins, so if I squint my eyes a little, that's what I would like if I were at the Emmys!  ...right?

Check out our August favorites here!

Speaking of Fall (TV)

While we're on the topic of all things fall, like birthdays, boots, warm drinks, and beautiful views, I'm just as excited for Fall TV!

As much as I loved the entertainment this summer, mostly Bachelor Pad and Big Brother, I'm pretty pumped for what's to come on my screen this fall.  Here are a few shows, some returning, some new, that I'm looking forward to this season...

So. Many. Good. Ones.

I might be most excited about MTV's Challenge - Battle of the Seasons because 1. a bunch of crazies trapped in one house never dissapoints, let's be real and 2. the battle of the seasons concepts might be pretty epic; people are quite proud of where they came "from".  Man, I sure love me some reality TV.

What are you planning to watch this fall??