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.

The not so serious side of Election Day

Ladies and gentlemen... In honor of all those bloody "I voted" statuses, tweets, instagrams and of course stickers...

I give you my very first, "I voted" photo shoot.

No matter what tonight holds, I have Peace.
My friend Jaime sent me a text this morning that pretty much says it perfectly,

"Happy voting day love! Don't stress, be happy, because Jesus knows the ultimate plan for us!"

pitch perfect, cups, anna, rebel and just a whole lot of awesome for your friday.

Have any of you watched "Pitch Perfect" yet?!
I've been itching to see it!

I feel like it is going to be a winning combination of Bring it On + Bridesmaids + 'any typical under dog movie'... all the while, not-so-subtly poking fun at the show we all love to hate and hate to love, Glee.

Or, at least I do anyway...

I can't tell you how much I love Rebel Wilson. I mean, she's Australian, so obviously she's amazing, but her humor is just so hilarious to me! I would give anything to not only be that confident, but that funny. The delivery of her sarcasm and jokes remind me of Steve Carell; Rarely changes, but never fails to make me laugh every single time!

*Fun Fact: As rare as the name Rebel is, I actually have an aunt named Rebel too! 

Who also has a son named Cougar. 

No.. I'm not kidding. 

Also, I am so stoked that Anna Kendrick broke out from her "Twilight" shadow and made a name for herself. I will be honest and tell you that at first, I was a bit skeptical of her as an actress. I think it's just because Jessica annoyed me SO. MUCH. in the books... Poor Anna, didn't stand a chance for me to like her. However, this girl has made a believer out of me! As if her role in 'Up in the Air' + an Oscar nod weren't enough to make me an Anna fan, this song would have done the trick. I mean, let's just say that I am scouring iTunes hard core right now to find it as ringtone....

You’re gonna miss me by my hair

You’re gonna miss me everywhere, oh

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round

The one with the prettiest of views

It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers, it’s got sights to give you shivers

But it sure would be prettier with you

You’re gonna miss me by my walk

You’re gonna miss me by my talk, oh

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

Happy Friday you gorgeous people!
Have a good one :)

Happy Halloween!

Ghoulish transformations performed on the amazing Picmonkey

Diesel: Girls Allowed

Did you guys know that the brand Diesel, which is typically known for it's hard core swanky boy watches, has both unisex watch line AND a female watch line too?!

Now, when I say unisex, I don't just mean they're all feminine watches with a smidgen bigger face than the other brands. I'm mean these watches literally swing both ways if ya know what I'm sayin...

I have the titanium one!

I wear it on the reg and get compliments on it nearly every time I wear it from both genders!

I lurrrrv it :)

Well, my birthday was last week and a friend sent me a surprise birthday gift in the mail!
What could it be??

Behold, my second Diesel watch! This one is definitely from the female line and I pretty much have fallen in love all over again!

Isn't she a beaut :) 

What are your guys thoughts on big watches for women?! 
Like them? Hate them? Never seen them? Too manly? Too butch? Too hot to handle?
Please feel free to write your true thoughts! 
I'm down to hear some opposite sides of the spectrum too because these bad boys are, in fact, pretty intense for the female wrist and I enjoy hearing all the different perceptions on them. That's what makes personal style so much fun; all the uniqueness :)

Happy Thursday!

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?

Single Girl Swag: Single Ladies

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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 :)

Single Girl Swag: COMPARE

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So many times I find myself playing COMPARE. You know what game that is, right? Sure you do. The one where you look at everyone/everything around you and begin measure your strengthens versus theirs, your flaws versus theirs, how much money they have, your body, your hair, your clothes, your intelligence, your good deeds, your work ethic, your efforts, or maybe even, your blogging... GASP.

I hate when I find that I'm comparing myself to my friends or others around me. Actually, I feel like this is a trait most women possess.. Which is so heartbreaking.We are all so wonderful in our own ways, yet the enemy does whatever he can to make us feel as little as possible; which in turn leads to such ugly, sinful emotions like greed and jealousy.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.-- Psalm 139:13-15

This past weekend, I was out with friends and as I was sitting next to one of the girls that was with me, a boy comes up to her and openly gushes on and on about insanely gorgeous she is. No lie, homeboy straight up walks up to us and starts telling my friend how absolutely stunning and beautiful and perfect and breathtaking she is. As I'm sitting elbow to elbow with her, I immediately become extremely uncomfortable. I truly don't care to hear how model-esque my friend is, especially as I spent a good 1.5 hours getting ready tonight and wore my ballin' red pumps...

The more I reflect on it though, the more I'm just so frustrated with the whole thing. Not because the stranger didn't find me gorgeous, but because I do not want to be that kind of a person! A jealous person, an envious person, a self-pity person. It's so ridiculous!

Why can't I be happy for my friend? Why can't I appreciate one of God's creations and know that I am just as equally loved and appreciated by our Heavenly Father? Why can't I realize that I will be that stunning to my future husband one day? Why do I care what complete strangers think of me?!

I've realized the only way I can overcome this terrible habit of comparing, is by diving into the Word and prayer. Unfortunately, I'm flesh and born into sin; we all are. And I'm female so I'm convinced I will always possess a comparing gene somewhere in my DNA. No, not an excuse but also something that is real and that I will have to work to control every single day.  However, it doesn't have to control me. It doesn't have to overrule my heart and my thoughts to the point of pain and suffering like it did on Saturday night.

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Proverbs 31: 30

So I encourage anyone that ever struggles with this like I do, to take deep breaths and say a little prayer to the good Lord above and ask that you can see yourself through His eyes; because that is true beauty and the absolute definition of love and admiration.

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.

this love is ours

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I instantly thought of Australia when I saw this and immediately sent it to all my friends from the land down under. I haven't seen them actually in person for over a year now. That is just crazy to me! How can they be such a huge part of my life, hold such a huge part of my heart, and yet I haven't actually seen them in the flesh for so long?

It's truly amazing what our hearts are capable of feeling.   

I can never go back to that time no matter how hard I try. Things will continue to change and life will always go on and move forward. However, they will always have that part of my life; that part that no one else can really understand, that part that nothing else can touch. Not even time itself. Like a secret shared or an inside joke that would only make sense to us. They may never get to experience any other points of time in my life and same for me with theirs... but, that time, those five and half months, those memories, those cherished experiences, will forever be ours. 

What did you think of when you read this quote? Is there a place, a face, a point in time you were taken back to? I would love to hear your stories. 

Happy Tuesday you beautiful people.

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!

Seasonal Stuff: What We Love About Fall

Tomorrow is officially the first day of fall!  Sure, we all love summer, but as soon as it hits September, our biological clocks all starting longing for those first crisp days that signify autumn has arrived.  Here's what we're looking forward to in the upcoming season!

Boots, scarves, sweaters, hats, and more boots are my favorite part about fall.

p.s. Thanks to Valerie for helping me get this together while I was on an airplane.

Sweaters, and soup, and pumpkin spiced latte's, oh my!

When fall comes around, I get to have this view out my window:

Kinda wish it would look like this all year round!

Hunting season, homecoming, Halloween, and my birthday! 

 October is by far my favorite month of the year, bring on the fall :)