Oh Nashville…you have my heart!

I can't even begin to describe the amazingness that was CMA Fest 2014. Seriously like the best week EVER!!!

Not only was it jam-packed with performances all day, every day from the best in country music…I mean Carrie Underwood joined Miranda Lambert on stage for "Somethin' Bad" and I died. And Luke Bryan shook that tooshie like nobody's business. Then Faith Hill came on stage to perform with her hubby Tim McGraw and he copped a big ole feel in front of the crowd of thousands. Like I just can't.

But it was hands-down the best people watching in the world. You've got guys in daisy dukes, more glitter and rhinestones than you could imagine, and just straight up rednecks having the time of their lives. I don't know that anything can top this crazy week!

It almost got to the point where all I wanted was a dern nap!

My week kicked off with Craig Campbell's 2nd Annual Cornhole Challenge. Why not watch country stars play cornhole for a good cause?! The proceeds go to the TJ Martell Foundation for colon cancer research and awareness. Some of the artists there were Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Chase Rice, Parmalee, The Cadillac Three, and many more!

Here are a few pics and look out for my interviews with the artists on AfterbuzzTV!

Country boys playin' some cornhole (& having a beer of course) 

 Me w/ up-and-comer Chelsea Bain

 Me with the man of the event Mr. Craig Campbell

 Me w/ 3 of the 4 boys of Parmalee

Me w/ The Cadillac Three

Such a fun time! And trust me…the fun (and the heat) never ends. The cool thing about Nashville is that it's just not Hollywood. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good Hollywood celeb spotting now and again, but it's just so relaxed and laid back in Music City that the artists are straight chillin' at the bar with you. It's just feels like the good ole South.

Speaking of the South…I don't think I can drink another beer for the life of me! One thing's for sure...CMA Fest is an all day, every day kinda party!

Me and my girl Traci on Night 1 (Can you tell we're excited?!)

I did catch some great performances during the day too!

By far the guy to be on the lookout for is Sam Hunt. This dude's got it! There's not a doubt in my mind he's gonna be HUGE!

I also stopped by the HGTV Lodge during the day for great intimate performances as well. It's so cool y'all…they literally build a barn the week of CMA Fest and then tear it down after!

Here's Chase Rice performing for the crowd:

Any chance I get when I'm back home…I go for that Southern cookin…and this was my all-time fave meal of the week:

I mean what's better than some BBQ and baked beans? And sweet tea, of course! SO YUMMYYY!!!

Another awesome event I got to cover was the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game. It was bright and early on Saturday morning, but a lot of your fave country stars rallied together to #StrikeOutCancer. 

It was #TeamOpry versus #TeamiHeartRadio, and in the end the Opry team took home the win. The event raised over $200,000 for cancer research, a cause that obviously hits home to me because of my momma, so it was definitely a special event for me to cover. I've got tons of interviews from the day, so I'll make sure to post them on AfterbuzzTV asap!

Here a few candid pics from the event:

That's Dee Jay Silver, Scotty McCreery and Eric Decker chatting before the game 

Nashville fans…that's DEACON CLAYBORNE! What a sexy man! ;)

Jamie Lynn Spears, Florida Georgia Line and Jana Kramer were amongst the celebs at the game. Such an awesome game and the crowd loved it!

Then, I was gearing up for the night of performances at LP Field and lo and behold it's raining cats and dogs! It was INSANE!! That kind of crazy weather is one thing I don't miss. Cali's sunshine will always win! But have no fear, all ya gotta do to weather the storm is invest in a cow design poncho and traipse the streets of Broadway in the pouring rain. Definitely a night to remember, especially when you're up this close and personal when FGL takes the stage…

What can I say...CMA Fest 2014 was seriously one of the best weeks ever. I already can't wait until next year, although with all that Southern food and Bud Light, this girl needs a detox, y'all!

Overall: amazing people, stellar performances and a week I'll never forget...

Until next time…

Always have faith!!

My Summer Time Bucket List

Yep - it's been a while since I've sat down to write... Given that it's mid-June, I thought, "What do I want to do this summer?"

And a lot has already been accomplished!

Everyone loves a good wedding - and no worries, I've been there, done that already... so that's one check off of my summer time bucket list! My bestie Hannah got married on June 8th!! I felt so blessed to share the special day with her as her maid of honor. Here we are before the rehearsal dinner:

We sure have come a long way, haven't we??

Going back to good ole Abingdon, VA for the wedding reminded me of all the good times growing up. I got to see a ton of people I grew up with and it made me realize just how fast time flies. I mean my best friend is MARRIED! AHHHH

Next on my bucket list: Visit a fun, new city

Well that's a check too because I headed to Nashville, Tennessee for the CMT Awards and CMA Fest!! Let me tell ya, that place is the BEST! I definitely plan to make my way back South eventually, and Nashville is the place for me. Talk about everything you could ask for - cute guys, great food, and country music! It doesn't get any better than that!

I had an absolute blast going to the award show and interviewing different country artists for SpotlightCountry.com. Who wouldn't want to go to a bar and see Zac Brown playing the guitar? Or Kip Moore just chillin' and chatting with people? That's the life!

Then of course, when it comes to summer time, a great tan is a must!

That's my next goal...so I'm heading to Charleston, SC on a redeye flight TONIGHT! You may think why would you leave California and go to a beach in South Carolina?! Well...don't judge me, but I'm not gonna lie.. sometimes I really do miss the humidity. I've been spoiled with the Cali weather and I'm ready to sweat haha!

What else...

One of my summer musts is... a trip to VEGAS!!!

If you only live a 4 hour drive away, then there's no excuse not to go! Now it's time for some planning!


Of course I'll be celebrating the good ole USA. Can't wait for the 4th of July! Fireworks, friends and fun... and a bonfire would be a nice touch! Let's see if this year is better than last year...

That's about all I've got on my summer time bucket list so far...

I'm sure I'll think of many more things I'd like to check off my list soon. Until then, I'll be listening to country music and dreaming about my future ;)

What are y'alls summer plans?!


Until next time...


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!!