Christmas

December,

I am SO happy to see you.

You bring my favorite weather, my favorite drinks, and my favorite music (not to forget my favorite holiday).

You're just totally lovely.

December brings many wonderful things, but really, December means it is now socially acceptable to play Christmas music. Since so many artists have Christmas albums and there's really only about 15 different Christmas songs, it makes it a little tricky to have a solid playlist without hearing the same song 3 times in a row by a different artist...So I decided to help you out. 

Here is my Christmas playlist for this year! 
(I had a little fancy widget on here, but I'm still trying to figure out this whole "HTML" thing.)

It's a tie between Shane and Shane's "A Worship Initiative Christmas," "Christmas With Scotty (McCreery)" and "On This Winter's Night" by Lady Antebellum for my favorite Christmas album, but "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Matt Maher is easily my favorite Christmas song. 

Considering this is me since December started, this is only fitting.

And remember, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

-Lauren

Tuesday Treasures

July 28, 2015

For the ride up and back to Chicago (post coming soon), Apple Music was my best friend. When it first came out, I immediately made the switch from Spotify (all motivation goes to my inner teenage girl who occasionally wants to jam to Taylor Swift). It has taken me well over 2 weeks to get my playlists even half way decent, but with time, they'll get there.

To me, Apple Music isn't as appealing to the eye as Spotify. Spotify looks more sleek and user friendly, while Apple Music is bland.

Spotify also has some features that Apple Music doesn't. Spotify checks the playlist before you add the song, while it is very easy to double up tracks with Apple. Spotify's playlists are also a thousand times better. Apple's "playlists" are really only about ten songs long, which really isn't even a real playlist to me.

I've loved the library that is available on Apple Music, but that's really about it.

Friday Night Lights is absolutely golden, y'all. I'm only on season 2, but I am in love. I never have missed football season more or wished I grew up in a football town more than when I watch this show. Within only a matter of episodes, you fall in love with the Taylors and Tim Riggins. It's a quality show full of drama and love. I'm watching through it on Netflix, but it is also available on Amazon and other retailers.

I don't know how often you go to Chicago, but if you're ever in Chicago, I definitely recommend a stop at Rudy's Bar and Grille. For our "free night" on our trip, my group made a stop at Rudy's on East Madison, and it was wonderful. Our table split an order of fried pickles that were more expensive for the serving size and quality, but they were a great taste of home throughout the week of no sweet tea. For my entree, I ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich without the bleu cheese and a side of their homemade chips. Now you see, I'm very picky about house made chips. I have had the best ones (Bricks' Cafe), and ever since then, I have only been impressed by a few, and Rudy's is one of them. They were so delicious. If you're ever looking for a decent, family friendly restaurant in Chicago, I highly recommend Rudy's. 

To close out this week of Chicago themed treasures, I have to include the bean. It's totally wrong if I don't. Another stop on our "free night" was at the large mirrored object in downtown Chicago. Despite the many hand prints and the streaks on it's reflection, the bean is pretty cute. In all honesty, I think the bean is pointless and a waste of money, but it makes for some cool pictures and creative captions, so it's all balances out. For example: 

"Hey how ya bean?" "Thanks for bean my friend" "Bean friends with you never gets old" "It's bean a while since my last selfie, so here you go" 

See? The possibilities are endless. 

Bean thankful for everything makes life so much happier.

Sorry, I couldn't help it :)

xo,

lauren

Tuesday Treasures

July 14, 2015

I have spent the past 7 months of my life watching Lorelai Gilmore's disastrous love life, and I have absolutely no regrets. After 153 episodes of Gilmore Girls, I finally know who Loreali ends up with, and I could not be more satisfied.

Stars Hollow and Gilmore Girls have become a part of me, like it or not. The girls' obsession with coffee has only fed my obsession with coffee, I can't help but think of Luke when I see an older blue pick up truck, and I see my mom as my best friend now. 

Gilmore Girls is one of the few clean humored shows that I thoroughly enjoy. Light enough to play in the background when I'm cleaning, but deep enough that I was in tears during the series finale. It's perfect.

Gilmore Girls follows the lives of single mom, Lorelai Gilmore, and daughter Lorelai Gilmore (known as Rory) from Rory's freshman year until she graduates college. When Rory gets into a prestigious, expensive, private school, Lorelai is left with no choice, but to turn to her wealthy parents after years of avoiding. They agree to fund her education...as long as Lorelai and Rory will join them for Friday night dinners.. If you're looking for a great TV show, Gilmore Girls is definitely it. All 7 seasons are on Netflix, as well as available for DVD purchase. 

I caved in..I bought Jack Rogers. I am totally not sorry for the $94 I spent on them either.

I ordered the Hampton's sandal in platinum, and they go with literally everything. I wore them to church on Sunday, I wore them to coffee yesterday, I wore them to a mission trip training. They go with everything. I discovered they run a little big, but nothing unbearable. I typically wear between a 7.5 and 8, and I figured it would be better to be too big than too small, so I went ahead and ordered an 8. There's a little bit of room at both ends, but not enough to trip or drag. 

Typically, from Jack Rogers' website, these sandals are $118, but I bought mine from Country Club Prep, where they are also $118, but I found a lovely coupon for 20% off, so I knocked the price down to $94. The 20% off code is for anything on their website, and you can use it over and over again. Awesome, right?

The code is "xcgal98". One of the girls I follow on Pinterest has a partnership with Country Club Prep, and encouraged me to use it, so feel free to get your 20% off.

Country Club Prep is an amazing source for all of my favorite brands. Until recently, I hadn't paid much attention to them, but they are definitely my go to shopping site now. With fast, free shipping and great quality products, I can't complain.

Check out all of CCP's Jack Rogers here, and the ones that I bought here. The black ones are the next on my list.

With the new addition of Apple Music (which I'm still trying to figure out), I've been using iTunes radio while trying to reconstruct all my playlists, and iTunes radio brought me a new artist who is one of the best.

Marie Miller.

Until this week, I had never heard of her or any of her songs, but "6-2" is one of my current favorites. Her folky style and easy, powerful voice draws me in and her creative story telling about her future husband and acceptance keep me listening. 

Check her album out on iTunes, and give her a follow on Twitter. I think she's just the cutest thing.

This week, I've needed some encouragement, and when I saw this, I just fell in love with it.
"I hope you know you're capable and brave and significant even when it feels like you're not."
I really love this, and I hope you always feel capable, brave, and significant.
 I found a sweet friend who made me feel this way this week and it made all the difference. Surround yourself with people who make you feel this way and help others feel this way, too. Life will be so much better if you do!

I'm off to Chicago for a mission trip on Saturday. Your prayers for safety and opportunity for conversation are greatly needed and appreciated! I can't wait to see what God is going to do through our team.

You're capable, brave, and significant. Live like it this week.

xo,

lauren