Tuesday Treasures

June 30, 2015

Pageant Material has been on repeat all week long. With witty song writing and a new perspective on the world, I'm surprised she didn't do as well on any charts besides iTunes. It makes sense with her awesome "I am who I am" attitude and how some may be turned off by that. Purely on her talent alone, Kacey has the upper hand in the industry considering that she co-wrote every song on the album, too.

Much like "Follow Your Arrow" on her first album, "Cup of Tea" has such an accepting tone and was definitely a strong reminder to be who you are and to accept that not everybody is going to like you. To me, "This Town" was much like a follow up story on "Merry Go Round" in the way that they're both wittily written about a small town that has word travel fast.  On the deeper side, "Fine" and "Somebody to Love" show her serious songwriting about heartbreak and the longing of love that most experience. Just give the album a listen and decide for yourself.

 I am utterly obsessed with this cute do. When I first found it on Pinterest, I didn't realized it had a link attached to it for directions, so I spent about 10 minutes to test out some potential options of how she did it. All credit to the girl in the picture, and here's the tutorial she made for full instructions!
This past week, I watched a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and I did this when we went to the pool. It took about 3 minutes and stayed in throughout the dunks and jumps in the pool. While it didn't look near as cool because I don't have ombre, it's cuteness and practicality are totally there.



I came across this quote on tumblr this week, and I fell in love.  A.W. Tozer  said
"How completely satisfying is it to turn from our own limitations to a God who has none?"
I just sat there for a few minutes after reading that and was in total awe. One of the limitations of being human is not knowing the future. For me, it can be so frustrating to not know what is in store, but to turn it over and trust God, who knows everything is so completely satisfying. Tozer is so right.


Baseball isn't near as big as a thing as football here in Tennessee, but it is a great social gathering. Sunday night we went to a Sounds game, Nashville's minor league baseball team.
This season is their first season in the new First Tennessee Park, which is  so nice. They have a guitar scoreboard and a nice hang out area by the right outfield, which made it much more bearable for someone who doesn't particularly enjoy baseball. (me)
Though I'm not a baseball person, it was a very nice night. We went with my parents' Sunday school class, and the weather was so good. The atmosphere was very kid friendly and would be fun family trip if you're ever looking for something fun to do in Nashville.

Make the most of the little things and find the joys in everything!
xoxo,
Lauren    

Tuesday Treasures

June 23, 2015

Life has been so so fun lately, and I just want to share what treasures have made it so fun this week.

I spent this past week in Philly, and it was amazing. It included lots of delicious foods, books, and shopping.

Karen Kingsbury has done it again, ladies and gentlemen. Angels Walking and Chasing Sunsets are no exception to the excellent stories she's told in the past. Angels Walking and Chasing Sunsets are the story of Tyler, Sami, Marcus, and Mary Catherine, all who are watched over by angels. These angels are sent from heaven to walk among us and to protect the future of the 4 friends. Great reads if you like sappy, happy ending books. I read them on the car ride up to Pennsylvania, and I'm counting down until the third book is released.

Lifeway has Angels Walking for $14.99, and it's sequel, Chasing Sunsets, for $22.99

We were in Pennsylvania after all, and that is home of Reading Terminal Market. For those of you who many not be familiar with the Market, it is like a food court on steroids. There was greek food, ice cream, salad bar, ribs, coffee shops. You name it, it was there. There was a fresh pretzel stand that I had my first soft pretzel at, and it should be pretty self explanatory as to why it made the list.

If you do stop at Reading Terminal Market, I recommend checking out the Rib Stand for lunch and Bassett's Ice Cream (for mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone) or Miller's Twist (for a cinnamon soft pretzel) for dessert. The Rib Stand has the best potato wedges I have EVER had. They are absolutely to die for.

Visit http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/ for more info!

I'm so mad at myself for putting off listening to this album for so long honestly. I first heard about them when Steven Curtis Chapman mentioned them at Sam's Place back in March, and 3 months later, I learn that I love Colony House. Classified as "alternative rock", I shyed away on the first few songs, but "Learning to Love" won my heart and captured all of my attention. Filled with uplifting lyrics and great tunes, Colony House definitely is one of my new favorites. 

After we ate lunch in Shady Maple, we went through the giant gift shop down stairs, and of course, I went straight to the candle section. While trying out all the different scents, I came upon my favorite. Not just my favorite candle and scent there, but of all time.

Olde Glory by Milkhouse Candle Company. I don't even know how to describe it, but I love it more than any other candle I've burned, and I'm very excited to fill my room with it's scent.
Coconut wood, pink grapefruit, and pineapple sunset by Kringle Daylight also smelled very good.

It's the little things that make life so good, right?

The Man With My Heart

As the celebrations for Father's Day come to an end, I got to thinking about I don't think I tell my dad how thankful I am for him.

I honestly can not think of the last time I told him how truly glad I am that he is my dad, and that fills my heart with guilt.

So for something that is long overdue, I'd like to introduce you to my dad.

Ever since I was little, I've call myself a daddy's girl. I'd run after his hand in parking lots and wait for him to sprinkle "pixie dust" on me before going to sleep. Everything he did, I wanted to do, and everything he liked, I wanted to like. From music to food to teams, if he did it, I wanted to do it, and he always willing let me tag along.

Though he is not always right, Daddy always gives me a new perspective and advice on anything I could need. A big decision about school or drama with friends, he always reminds me to take a step back, breathe deep, and remember the big picture. 

His words alone do no justice about the impact he has had on me. He's also been an example of what kind of man I need to look for, and he has also let me know that I'm not to settle for just anyone. Protecting, lighthearted, understanding, thoughtful, and encouraging come to mind of the first traits he has taught me. 

He's taught me how to love first and foremost though. I can't count the number of times I've become frustrated, left in a huff, and come back to his open arms, completely forgiven and accepted.

To give you a little insight on his life and where his white hairs come from, he grew up in Brentwood and roamed the same roads I do. In college, he got an internship at a sound company (that's a funny story actually) and later got signed with a sound company that did fairs and tours all across the country. For over 10 years, he toured with various artists and made them sound good to your ears. After marrying my mom, he toured a little more, but decided to leave the life of tour buses and monitors and come home for good about the time I was born.

After touring, he worked at Dell for a little bit, and eventually, he opened his own computer repair company. He also became a sheriff's deputy a few years ago, and absolutely loves it. He definitely has a heart for helping people, and I think he is where I get my love of helping from.

I also think I get my love of sports, country music, preparation and UT from him, and I know for a fact that I get my stubbornness from him.

 

If I were to describe him, I would call him cheesy, and intelligent. He's pretty good at "dad jokes" and always trying to find a new solution to a problem. He uses lots of common sense and every skill available to him. Many people have called him a "modern day MacGuyver" and that's very  rightfully so. He can make something out of nothing, and never ceases to amaze me.

He's awfully good at making things up on the spot, and I think one of my favorite memories was because of this. When I was little and wouldn't sleep, he would spray "pixie dust" on me and without any more resistance, I would be out, as shown below. I think the "pixie dust" also works on him because I swear he can fall asleep anywhere, any time.

We may but heads, but at the end of the day, he is one person I always can go to that I know will accept me with open arms. If I didn't have him as my dad, there is no way I would be who I am today. 

Thank you for all the time spent waiting in the car, afternoons on the golf course, hours listening (and critiquing) concerts. You are the best dad out there,

xoxo,

Lauren