Hump Day Randoms

Currently thanking God for:
MY NEW JOB!
I will be starting my new job next week! I'll be an account coordinator with an opportunity for promotion within the first year! I'm really excited for something new, with a path for growth, and to remove the "work" layer from Steve and I's relationship. Yay for changes! I have really enjoyed the past 2 years at Apex and have made some great relationships (both professional and personal). I have met some of my best friends at Apex--including Steve! I have been able to build some skills that will help me in my next job and I'm so excited to get started next week!

"And so it was that she, having waited long and endured patiently realized and obtained what God had promised her."
HEB 6:15

Currently coveting:

Buy them for me at CWonder

Currently playing:

Katy Perry - "Roar" of course! I am so in love with her. #girlcrush

Currently looking forward to:

Steve and I's weekend at the Long Mountain Lodge! Are still ironing out the details of the trip, but I am looking forward to every single minute of it. We're going to go up there early on Saturday and start touring the wineries. We've been recommended a few: Monteluce, Frogtown and Wolf Mountain. I've been told they all have excellent views and the restaurant at Monteluce is supposed to be quite tastey. The chef has done his time in the Atlanta restaurant scene at several Buckhead Life venues. Hopefully we'll schedule ourselves just right to stop in for a bite. We're trying not to plan out every detail, because who knows what we will find when we get up there. We want to walk around downtown Dahlonega and check out the shops and everything. I am really looking forward to some special time with my boo thang! :)

Currently wishing for:
My dad to get the job he's been interviewing for! Hopefully a lucky streak for the fam this week! :)

Currently focusing on:
Getting back into my workout routine. These past 2 weeks I have totally fallen off. I think I only got 2 good workouts in...that's no way to stay healthy! So, tonight, some girls and I are going to get our Zumba on. Gotta love a full hour of cardio to blasting music!

Currently shopping for:
BABIES! My friend Meg is having a baby girl and we will find out what Victoria is having next weekend! I can't wait to buy cute stuff for these kiddos to wear. Etsy has so much of EVERYTHING and it's all so precious! Makes me wish I could sew. But, not enough for me to invest in a sewing machine and sit down to actually learn! Ain't nobody got time for that!

Finish the week strong, people!

Short hair, don't care

My spa day last Saturday was absolutely wonderful. Spa Sydell worked out all the kinks in my back and I was so relaxed leaving there. It was pretty obvious to my massage therapist which side I wore my purse on. ouch. I felt so much better after leaving there, though. I swear never to go that long without a massage ever again!

After the spa, I grabbed a smoothie from Robeks (P.S. I love you Strawnana) and headed over to Nail Talk & Tan to continue the self-pampering. Out of respect for the last stretch of summer, I sprang for a color with a bit orange-r hue. It looks fab, if I do say so myself! (OPI Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It)

Please disregard my man-hands; I have this terrible habit of biting my nails. I know, I know...it's bad. Working on it, people! High stress levels lately!

After my mani/pedi sesh, I headed over to Aveda. It was time to say "adios, ombre"..little did I know it'd be saying bye-bye to 5 inches of my precious hair! During the consultation I explained I had booked a cut and color because with the amount of hair I was wanting to cut off I figured it wouldn't cut out all the ombre. They talked me into just getting a cut, saying there would hardly be any ombre left--that it would just look like it was "sun-kissed". Ha, yeah right. After they chopped off 5 inches there was still a large heaping of blonde on the ends. Not cute. So then they had to go back and foil sections of my hair back there to cover it up. Holy moly, my butt was tingling from sitting in that chair so long!

So now, I have short hair. There was a 2 day long feeling of shock (pictured above), of which has worn off (sorta). I still can't believe they hacked off so much hair, but I'm gonna work it. I mean, that's the great thing about hair. It grows back.

Cheers to a day of pampering--every girls deserves a day to herself!

Too Blessed to be Stressed!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:4-7

When I opened up my Jesus Calling this morning, I knew exactly what God wanted me to know today. While I am anxiously awaiting a call with a job offer, He wants me to stay calm and not let my eagerness turn into stress. I know that He will provide for me, and by remembering that I can avoid getting lost in those "bad days" and have peace in Him.

But we all know how hard that is. It is human, and furthermore such a female need to have control and organization. With my next step being such a big ? it is easy to get frustrated and down in the dumps when it truly seems out of control.

Please say prayers as I'm waiting to hear about the potential job. Either way, I will keep moving forward and find where He wants me to be!

Boots or Bust!

So last week in Atlanta was super freaky. We had temps in the low 70s...in the middle of August. Of course there were plenty of people complaining saying they weren't ready for it, but c'mon folks--we knew it wouldn't last long. Thanks, global warming. Personally, I loved it as it reminds me of football and tailgating and just getting cozy. Most of all, I loved the idea of NEW BOOTS!

I have not made any purchases as of yet, but I am absolutely kookoo over the first boot here. I love that fact that it's a dual tone riding boot that I can wear any day with any outfit. I've never purchased boots by Enzo but love their heels.

Enzo Angiolini Ellerby Boot

I tend to be a lover of black clothes with pops of color, so I swear by a good pair of black boots. These look like they'd be perfect for show at the Earl over some hot pants. Lovin' this look and feel like they'd be super hot paired with a black moto jacket that I've been lusting over...

Frye Carson Tab Tall

I'm still toying with the idea of booties. I'm not sure how I feel about how they look on me. They are plastered all over the place and are trending this fall, but if it doesn't look good on me then it's not happening folks. So, while browsing, I saw a few that I liked. TBD if they will be purchased, but I like the look of the two below.

Calvin Klein Bethany

Frye Regina Wedge

So there ya have it folks. Although many weeks in advance, the little tease of fall we had last week got me super excited about purchasing some new kicks. Happy shoppingggggg! :)

Hump Day Random Thoughts

Mike. Mike. Mike. Mike. Guess what today is?

Since I'm still wading through pages upon pages of boots for fall 2013, my intended post is not ready for print. Therefore, hump day randoms will have to do. :)

Katy Perry's new single, "Roar"
Are you kidding me? Does this woman ever sleep? Her genious for poppy songs that make me feel 20 years old again never disappoints. Katy--you are my bubblegum pop princess. /end obsession here

Orange is the New Black
I literally cannot STOP with this show. Netflix, you are sucking up all my free time. I have literally gone home everyday this week to watch an episode (thanks for canceling on me, clients!). THEN a great thing happened today. Halfway through my Fresh Market wrap, I realized I could watch it FROM MY PHONE. Cue frantic texts asking for logins. Who is my favorite character? Ah, how does one decide? I adore the friendship between Pussey and Taystee, and think the extreme character of Pennsatucky is hilarious. I was hoping to see more of Yoga Jones, but was told by my roommate that I will find out her story later in the season. Yeah, since my roomie doesn't start student teaching until next week, she had a marathon--RUDE!!) I must say thank you, Buzzfeed, for making me fall even more in love with the cast. #newvice

Boys Golf Weekend
Steve is heading out of town this weekend for his annual golf trip with a few buddies. They call it the "Armadillo Open" for reasons beyond me, but as the supportive and loving girlfriend that I am, I made them some koozies. Now they're legit.

Spa-ahhhhh Day
...so with Steve being gone, I scheduled a massage at Spa Sydell on Saturday. I scored it on Groupon, and I love getting a good deal. While the massage alone would be wonderful, I took it one step further and booked an afternoon appointment at Aveda to get my hair done. It's been a good, long run ombre hair...but it's time for a change. And these split ends are BEGGING for some attention. #hurrdid

*NSYNC reuniting
Say it out loud, ladies. Actually, SCREAM it out loud (like I have been). Holy cow, Sunday night cannot come soon enough. *NSYNC is reuniting to perform at the VMAs on Sunday night. JT is getting some sort of award (shocking) so the whole crew is getting together to throw down. I. Can't. Wait.

-bye, bye, bye!-

Six Word Memoirs

Perhaps I'm a little behind on this whole movement, but today my friend Maggie shared with me such a cool idea that I could't wait to share it here.

SIX WORD MEMOIRS

This project was headed by Smith Magazine who adopted the idea from Hemingway. Story goes he was challenged to write a memoir in six short words. Hemingway's response was "Baby shoes: for sale, never worn." So, the challenge Smith developed was to come up with a six word memoir to describe a story. It can be all encompassing, explaining briefly your overall life experience OR it can describe a specific life event, issue, struggle, etc. It is writing after all...you have the freedom to create your own perspective! It's so cool to hear the way friends describe themselves in 6 short words..I mean, that is taking Twitter to a whole new level--140 characters shortened to all but 6 words? For someone who struggles to make a long story short, I can hardly wrap my head around the idea. But alas, I was able to come up with one that I feel wholly describes every phase in my life.

"Hopeless wanderer, stumbles upon His grace."

We all have stories of our searching out truth in various facets of life, and regardless of what you find it is awesome to know you are surrounded by His grace. And I definitely stumble…or trip and fall into…His grace from time to time. I will be the first to admit my sin and also the first to admit that without His relentless love I would be nothing. I would be a complete and utter mess. Be it toxic relationships, bad decisions with money or betrayal of so-called friends; They all make us question life--question our purpose, our faith, ourselves. At the end of the day, it is my faith that has kept me moving forward and wearing a smile.

What would be your six word memoir?

Career Transition

I 100% believe that God has a plan for me, including my career. I just hope that I am doing my part in applying, interviewing and researching career paths.

I have been in flux for a few months now--knowing that my time at Apex is coming to an end as they've taken a different approach to customer service. At first I was told I had a grace period until the end of the year to find something else, but today they let me know I actually don't have that time. Cue freak out.

I don't want to just take a job in order to pay the bills--I feel like I'm too old for haphazard decisions like that. I don't want my resume to be all over the place--I want it to reflect the type of loyal, hard-working employee that I am. The hard part is figuring out what I want my next step to be. Obviously you take a step up, not down. Entry level jobs? I didn't just graduate college! I feel like it's still a tough market out there and I have been so defeated lately. How do you pull yourself out of a funk like that?

So I've really been entertaining this real estate idea in my head. It blends together all of the traits and skills I feel I've been building in the past 2 years at Apex: relationship building, attention to detail, organization, general business savvy, small project planning. I feel like all of these are important to become a successful real esate agent. It seems that everyone I have mentioned the idea to are gung-ho and encouraging me to go for it. After all, I am 25. This is the time to really dream big and take risks.

I am trying to stay positive and take this time as a blessing in disguise. While I am getting the boot a bit earlier than expected, it definitely helped that they have been gracious enough to keep me on the payroll while I have tried to figure out my next step. I still don't have an "end date" per se, but I have to really ramp up my search. I am meeting with a successful realtor out of Buckhead to get her advice and guidance on Monday, so I am hoping her insight will help me decide whether or not I'm going to take the plunge.

Prayers appreciated in this time of career transition!

Baby on the way!

My bestest friend in the whole wide world is PREGNANT!

Victoria and her husband, Dylan, have been friends of mine since high school. Due to Dylan's commitment to the Marines (ooh-rah!) they are living in Jacksonville, NC (Camp LeJuene). Victoria came down to Atlanta for visit, and on July 10 she shared with me the miracle that is BABY G! It was so perfect the way she shared the news with me, because she and I are your typical winos. We love spilling secrets over some pinot noir!

So, truth be told, I had a little inkling that something was going on..and had said prayers to God asking that she please, oh please be pregnant but had no such confirmation via phone. SO with that being said, I was excited to hang out..but when she immediately asked if I was ready to drink some wine I felt disheartened. Dangit! No baby yet. But lo and behold--that sneaky Victoria turns around with a big ol' wine glass decorated with the words:

AUNT SARAH'S SIPPY CUP

Oh my gosh! I was so freakin' excited, I couldn't help but cry. Even though I had thought about it and prayed about, there is nothing like that moment when you actually have that dream materialize and it becomes REAL.

This is such an exciting time in her and Dylan's lives, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it as "Aunt Sarah". I am going to spoil this kid to DEATH!

I am so loving that it has revived her blogging life, because she truly is such a wonderful writer. Follow along on her pregnancy journey--I'm sure it will be full of fun stories. She's got a way with words, that one. ;)

Needless to say, I've been looking around on Pinterest and trying to get ideas for the perfect baby shower. Anyone have any tips on where to get cute decor? I toyed with the idea of getting a Cricut, but that comes with a hefty price tag! Anybody have one I can borrow? :)

Wild on the Rocks - Otters and Old Fashioneds

Zoo Atlanta is marketing more and more to the young professional crowd in ATL. Steve and I went to check out their “Wild on the Rocks” event last Thursday, themed “Otters and Old-Fashioneds”.

At first, walking into the zoo after regular hours seemed odd--especially because most of the animals weren’t out for observation. Towards the back of the zoo we could hear a rumbling—the sound of folks chattering, music creeping through the trees and, as we got closer, the clanking of ice cubes being dropped into glasses.

The evening began with the otter presentation, which we weren’t able to see much of because of the limited viewing area. The zoo keeper (is that the appropriate term?) seemed very knowledgeable on the otter and was able to take questions from the crowd.

We grabbed a (very unreasonably priced) domestic beer and headed towards another open exhibit—the sun bear. Not so amusing, but cute to watch snooze. 

My favorite part of the evening—the orangutan exhibit! Oh man, were these guys fun to watch. The zookeeper shared with us some awesome facts about how smart they are! The big tree in the center of the exhibit is actually a huge computer that assists their studies on their cognitive behavior. The 3 year old, Remy, is said to be AS SMART as a 50 year old gorilla a few exhibits down!

As we were leaving, we were lucky enough to catch some elephants (my fave!) wander around their area. It was cool not having to wait for a front row view of one of my favorite creatures!

All in all, it was a cool way to spend the evening. The event in September is “Rhinos and Winos” so I invited some of the girls to attend with me—hopefully they will serve something OTHER than Cupcake wine (ew!)

Pedicure Pity Party

Sometimes the only thing a girl needs is a pedicure and a friend with a good ear you can bend.

Jackie and I met up for lunch at the Dunwoody Nail Talk and Tan so I could do just that. For the price, they are definitely my favorite spot for a quick mani/pedi.

I kid you not, I pick OPI's "Cajun Shrimp" EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Not on purpose, just because! Today I realize, that's my color. That's it. Finally. I have settled on a go-to. See how pretty?

Do you have any fave shades?

Pup-n-Cuts - A Review

Today, Harleigh had her first groomer's experience. In all her 22 months of living, she's only been bathed by the hands of her loving mother and had her nails done at the vet...so this was going to be an experience for sure.

Pup-n-Cuts, located only a mile from my house at 2573 Apple Valley Rd, was recommended to me by a friend so I took his word for it and booked her an appointment. They were able to get her in with a day's notice, so that was really convenient. Harleigh and I arrived at Pup-n-Cuts at 8:25 a.m. and I let Harleigh sniff around the yard.

From the outside, there's not much. Apparently they are having a hard time keeping grass alive in the front yard--doesn't have much curb appeal. Especially in such a lively growing area like Brookhaven, you'd expect a little more "oomph" from the street. When a member of the staff arrived at 8:40 (note 10 minutes after said appointment time/open for business) they mentioned something about wondering where the receptionist was. OK--strike one. I get that it's 10 minutes, but I was going in late to work to make sure I got there at 8:30 for her check-in time. Just made me feel like my time wasn't appreciated/respected. The inside (the lobby at least) seemed clean and well kept. As a new customer, I would have appreciated a tour but didn't have much time left to get to work. Inside, they didn't say much--just had me sign a form which they hurried me through to sign so I didn't get to read the whole thing. That was annoying since THEY were late to begin with, not me! Harleigh is a scaredy cat--especially of men. The two techs there were both men, so I knew she'd be hesitant to go back with them. Harls was on a pinch collar and the tech kept pulling it to get her to come to him. I didn't love that, so of course I intervened and tried to get her to warm up to him. I was able to walk her back and say bye. I felt like a mama dropping her kid off at pre-k or something (as I know that is happening in some schools today!).

She was done by lunch time, so I swung by to pick her up and she was of course just fine. She was smelling good and pretty as ever--although not looking very different. My receipt was a simple credit card receipt, nothing with the services performed. I couldn't tell you if they gave her a cut or not, but she sure did smell good and her nails were nice and trimmed! I would have enjoyed a cute little bandana that screams "I am cute and clean!" to share with you all here on the blog/insta/fb but they didn't do anything special like that. I guess I'm that customer that needs that extra bit to return, so I'll keep shopping around for a neighborhood groomer for my princess. Any recommendations fellow dog owners?

Surprise Sales...my demise

So it's 7:10 am this morning and I should have already showered and downed my first cup of joe, but I haven't. I'm paralyzed in my bed scrolling the kate spade surprise sale. And oh baby, did I find some beauts.

Cobble Hill Andee in affogato $189
drool. is that not beautiful? and the price is right! I need a camel-ish colored purse..and I think this will satiate my closet's craving. #yum

Grove Court Maise in shale $159
oh and a pretty grey piece, too! I love this structured bag--it screams "i'm not here to play, i'm here to close some business". amiright?

Kate Spade Fragment Pearl Studs $29
I just adore these little gems. I think I saw them around the same price at nordie's rack. but who cares? all of this, and only $5 shipping. cha-ching!

happy shopping! via katespade.com

Finally Friday!

The work week coming back from vacation is always SO hard. This week has seemed to drag on! Can I get an AMEN?!

Last night Steve and I accompanied his mom to dinner and a movie. We went to Davio's for dinner--delicious! I loved their reserve cabernet so try a glass if you ever dine with them. It will taste great with probably anything--his moma and I both order the chicken, but Steve got the braised ribs which literally melted off his fork. After dinner we went upstairs to AMC at Phipps to see "Restless Heart". Thank goodness for recliner chairs because that was a LONG movie! Probably 2 hr 15 min...and then add on 20 min of previews. LONG. But I will say, it was an interesting moving. My growing up in a Southern Baptist church and now being a part of a non-denominational congregation, it has been quite a learning experience growing in Steve and I's spiritual relationship. I am learning more about the Catholic faith at every mass, in every discussion we have, etc. I'm keeping an open-mind and open-heart to learn more about the faith in which he was raised.

So it's finally Friday and I'm so excited about my plans for the weekend! Tonight Steve and I are going to have some alone time wandering around Decatur. Some friends of ours highly recommended a farm-to-table restaurant called The Pinewood that I think we're going to check out. Do you have a favorite spot in Decatur we should check out tonight?

Black Bean Brownies

Yes, you read that right. Brownies--the most wonderful delectable sweet--made with ZERO flour and BLACK BEANS! And...they are yummy! I swear. Since I'm trying to eat healthier, I thought these brownies would be a good thing to keep in the fridge to curb those cravings from the real thing. In the end, it curbs the craving and I think they are quite yum--and the calories are mostly GOOD calories. Put that in your myfitnesspal and don't feel so bad about endulging.

Black Bean Brownies
Ingredients:
3/4 cup rinsed black beans
1 egg
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter, if you prefer!)
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons almond milk (i did unsweetened, but you can go sweetened if you'd like--i just spared myself the calories!)
PREHEAT oven to 350.
BLEND together all of the ingredients well and pour into either lined cupcake tins or an 8 inch baking pan (like I did). Mine came out pretty thin, so next time I'll probably double up on this recipe or make mini brownies in a small cupcake pan.
BAKE for about 12 minutes in the 8 inch pan, about 18 or so minutes in a big cupcake tin. Just check them with a toothpick to make sure they're done!

The brownie pan allowed me to cut up into 12 individual brownies coming in at around 50 calories per bite. The mixture itself was around 600 calories, so your total calories will depend on how you divvy up the deliciousness. ENJOY!