Sweet Summertime…Come Back to Me!

Well…the time has come. We "can't" wear white anymore and there are not nearly enough valid excuses to leave work early to focus on your tan.

It just comes and goes way too quickly. The end of summer is never bittersweet for me. It's just sad!

I know I know…I can't really complain given that I live in sunny California and it's like summer year-round. But trips back home to the South remind me that I actually miss that suffocating humidity...sometimes.

It's been a great summer! Trips to Nashville, Charleston, Vegas and good ole Southwest Virginia always gave me something fun to look forward to when sitting in an air-conditioned office building. There were new babies and bridal showers to celebrate too! I've gotta say…I didn't realize until I left small town Abingdon, VA just how much I love that place. Hanging with the fam and enjoying the beauty of small town life won't be taken for granted anymore, that's for sure!

Back to summer…There were tons of fun country concerts to attend and interviews to be had! I chatted with Dee Jay Silver, The Cadillac Three, Leah Turner and Jamie Lynn Spears! So much fun!

Hangin with The Cadillac Three at The Troubadour

I got to be a lady who lunches (my dream) a few times this summer and had plenty of time to binge watch Scandal and DCC Making the Team. Yes, that's the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders show on CMT. Don't judge...I'm obsessed.

Me and my roomie…and Damon Wayans Jr.

Oh hey Tim Riggins!

I went to the "Let's Be Cops" movie premiere…which was AMAZING!! Two of my ABSOLUTE faves from New Girl - Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson aka Nick Miller had me literally laughing out loud during that movie. Y'all have to see it. No joke.







And I got to go the EMMY's this year!! Talk about the best experience EVER! It was so amazing. I mean I did manage to meet my end all be all crush Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights, so basically life made. Yes…I was shaking haha! I don't think it gets any better than that people.


As my ode to sweet summertime…here's a look back in photos at some of the highlights of my summer:

Happy 4th of July!!

YAY TRISHIE!!! Angel's getting married!

Chillin with the coolest country DJ ever - Dee Jay Silver

Beach trips with my DAWG!

Interviewing Leah Turner at The Greek Theatre

That time at the Emmy's with my Pretty Little Liars ;)

So precious! Baby Layton

Oh hey there Brad Paisley!

The Emmy's - view from the top!

So cool!!! EMMY'S

Yep - the ice bucket challenge got me! I donated too!

Can't forget all that summer relaxation…
My Diddy loves him a good pedi!

Best place to go for some quality "thinking" time!
The Creeper Trail is the BEST!

Gotta have a bathroom pic at the Emmy's

VEGAS babyyyyy

Now, that's a summer to remember! Since this year is deemed #25theyeartothrive, I have to say I've been making it a point to take advantage of new experiences and opportunities…and it's been a super fun summer!

So I say let's soak up the rest of summer 2014 to the best of our ability. Life's all about making memories, so why not get out there and do just that?! I guarantee you'll be grateful you did!

Any suggestions on how to wrap up summertime in style? Send them my way y'all!


Always have faith!!

Confessions of a Southern Girl During Hollywood Awards Season…

Awards season madness has come to a close…and what a crazy, yet amazing few months!

A few adjectives to describe this experience: starstruck, exhausting, exhilarating, Leo-fied

When I started my new job in the Awards department at Paramount, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Lots of late night screenings, tastemakers with super famous stars (so difficult, I know) and bunches of awards shows. No wonder I haven’t written in months!

Who would have thought that Hollywood’s awards season was built around such a big campaign – making sure you get every aspect of the film out to the members of the illustrious Academy or your movies might just miss the mark of a nomination? Just watch E!’s Secret Societies of Hollywood and you’ll learn exactly what I’m talking about…

And for this small town girl, getting to see Leonardo DiCaprio every couple of weeks wasn’t too shabby. You can only imagine my reaction…Jack Dawson, is that you?!

By the time the Academy Awards aired, I was certainly invested in the filmmakers and actors, hoping and praying they’d get some recognition.

By far, the nicest cast of all time – NEBRASKA! June Squibb is literally the sweetest woman EVER. She’s always happy and had so much fun at all of the events. Then, there’s Will Forte – mister MacGruber. Did y’all know he’s been to Abingdon, VA? He even guessed that’s where I was from when I told him I grew up on the TN/VA line. Small world, huh?

You just never know who’s going to show up to the awards shows or events. Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck…I mean will my jaw ever stop dropping?! I guess some people are just used to this kind of life, but one thing’s for sure…I’ll never take it for granted. These experiences and opportunities I’ve gotten during awards season will stay with me for a lifetime. Not only that, but being around so many people who’ve followed their passions and are living their dreams is so INSPIRING! 

The Golden Globes and Oscar parties didn't hurt either. Here we are at the Paramount Golden Globe Party… Go TEAM AWARDS!! :)

How cool would it be to go to those all the time?! It makes me wanna keep makin’ moves and accomplish my goals. One day I’ll be interviewing all of these talented people myself! ;)

Now that things are slowing down… it’s that time of year for country music awards shows and Vegas trips. What can I tell ya…I’ll never have too much of Vegas and country in my life!

Stay tuned for what’s next in 2014 and 25 - the year to thrive!

And of course, always have faith!!

I’m a quarter of a century ahhhh!

It’s that time of year again aka MY BIRTHDAY!!! As always, I had to come up with a new birthday slogan for a new year.

First of all…how crazy that I’ve made it to a quarter of a century?!? Like WHAT! I remember thinking I’d have it all together by the time I was 25 haha. Guess you never know what life’s gonna throw at ya!

Coming off 24 – the year to soar, I only found it fitting to continue into 25 with a positive outlook for the next year. So now that I wake up every morning as a 25-year-old, I figured I better start each day ready to thrive. This year’s birthday slogan is (drum roll please)…

I feel like 25 is going to be a great year. Not only do I get to rent cars on my own now (WOOHOO haha), but I’ve made it to the mid-twenties. Sure, it’s scary…but one thing I know for sure is that you have to enter a new year with positive energy so you’re ready to take on each day as a new adventure. There’s so much potential for my 25^th year.

I finally feel somewhat stable with a fun job, great friends and a supportive family! Definitely blessed!

And how fun to come into work to find my desk looking like this:

It’s covered in pictures of two studly country men – Chase Rice and Sam Hunt. Y’all should definitely check them out…and I got a pretty cake and breakfast from my bosses too! It definitely made coming to work on my birthday fun!

I actually think with this birthday that I feel the most relaxed going into it, which is strange. I’ve finally somewhat made it into the phase where I can feel relaxed about what’s currently happening in my life and feel excited about what’s to come. Believe it or not, I’m a lot less stressed than expected! 

I’ve already had such a great birthday celebration. I had a wonderful bday dinner Friday night (sportin' some neon pink) and all of my friends “went around the table” (you know I love that) and said a memory they have shared with me. I cried…I laughed… You know me – way too many emotions!

I really do have so much to be grateful for I can't even handle it!! 

So cheers to another year! Time to set some new goals and MAKE MOVESSSS people!!!

25 – the year to thrive!!

Always have faith!!

The stages of life... and where do I fit in?!

A LOT has been happening lately...

News of engagements and upcoming nuptials, babies-a-comin, and college spring breaks.

It all made me take a step back and think about the stages of life. Oh how things change!

My sister just had her college spring break and her and a friend made the trek out to Southern California for a few days! What a blast! We went to the beach in March - 80 degree weather. You can't beat that! We also went on a Starline tour to check out all of the celeb's homes...talk about inspiration! Shew...those houses were GORGEOUS!

It was a fun trip for sure and made me experience other parts of LA I had yet to see - like Saddle Ranch Steakhouse with the mechanical bull and Hollywood hotspot and eatery, The Ivy.

The whole trip made me think about my spring breaks and how different life was back then. We sure did have a blast in Cozumel and Cancun... I remember complaining about school work and worrying about grades. Now, I look back and think, "Man, I had it good back then." Good friends and a fun college atmosphere. Next thing you know, you're living in a big city chasing your dreams and making plans to celebrate your friend's weddings!!

And boy, am I a sucker for a good wedding, that's for sure!! I just flew home to throw my bestie her bridal shower! - Southern style!

We had a blast! I was in my element, hosting a party! I just can't even describe how happy I am to share in this special time with Hannah (see pic below...weren't we just livin' the dream)! And with all of my other friends who are in the same stage in life...

The news just gets better and better too!

Yay for another baby coming into the family!! My Godsister found out she's preggers! WOOHOO!!! Who doesn't love babies?! It's going to be one packed house come holiday time!!


When I was younger...
(all fresh faced and youthful)

...I definitely had no clue what life would be like at 24. But you realize you're so much more aware of what's going on with friends and family and you're mature enough to see the stages of life in all their glory! Boy, it puts things in perspective.

I definitely used to think - "Wow, when I'm 24 years old, I'll have my life together - I'll be settled and stable and married..." haha WHAT?!?

What you assume you'll be doing at a certain age when you're a young girl never really turns out the way you thought it would. And that's what life's all about!


It's an adventure!

It can't be planned. That's when you realize the stage of life you're in right now, is exactly where you're meant to be! Sure - I'd love to have my dream job and dream man right now ;), but if I had everything figured out, then I wouldn't be learning so much about myself on this wild ride to find my purpose in life.

So now, I vow to enjoy the present! It's time to sit back and enjoy this roller coaster called LIFE.

As my Momma always told me..."Patience is a virtue." And that's one virtue I've got to work hard at upholding! ;)

Who knows what's in store tomorrow or a year from now... but isn't that what's exciting?!?

The best thing you can do is:


Always have faith!!