wanna talk about me

I think the title of this post is ironic...because what else is a blog besides a venue to talk about oneself?  Anyway, my friend Leah from Chocolate and Wild Air tagged me in her "Friday fun facts" post.


These are the rules:
Post these rules.
Post 11 random things about yourself.
Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
Tag 11 new people to participate.
Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Go to their blog/Twitter/Facebook and tell them you’ve tagged them. Then link your post back to their site. 


Here's what I find problematic about this: I don't have many friends who blog.  And Leah already tagged one of the few who do.  So for that reason and the fact that this seems suspiciously like a chain email to me (and there's nothing I hate more), I'll just answer the questions myself.  Sorry if that sounds even more self-centered.  But it's always good to come up with ammo for the dreaded "tell us something interesting about yourself" icebreaker.


Random facts:
1. I designed the Beanie Baby Swirly, the snail.  At least I claim to.  During one of our many summer family vacations with the Manning family out west, Emily and I occupied ourselves in the backseat by drawing pictures of new Beanies we thought Ty should make.  At my dad's insistence, I actually mailed mine to them, and about a year later, Swirly hit stores everywhere.  I'm sure it was inspired by my design though because of the tell-tale rainbow swirled shell.

2. The summer after seventh grade, I put this terrible product similar to Sun In in my dark brown hair.  It turned a lovely shade of orange.  My mom promptly took me to the salon to get it stripped, but the orange kept creeping back.  I just had to wait for it to grow out.  It took several painful years.  Now my hair is darker than ever before.  Much to my chagrin, everyone keeps calling it black.  


3. I'm right handed, but I do cartwheels with my left foot first.  Fascinating, I know.


4. I take my TV watching pretty seriously.  As in, when I commit to a show, I just won't quit it.  Even if it's really not that good.  I feel like I've developed a relationship with the characters, and I don't want to hurt their feelings.  That's why I still watch Cougar Town.  And Whitney.  


5. I feel like I'm continually on a quest for knowledge.  And it's not really motivated by some admirable academic goal.  I just really want to be on a game show some day (number 14) and fear that some random fact I once pondered will ultimately become a question that I can't answer.


6. When I was little, I was extremely afraid of elevators.  I once made my mom climb about 20 flights of stairs with me to go visit my cousin's dorm room in the UK towers.  Embassy Suites became my favorite hotel because of the glass elevators.


7. I'm obsessed with the color coral.  You can tell by taking a peek at my closet.

8. I have a pink Christmas tree.  Or I had one.  Apparently it broke when my parents were taking it down this year.  It's probably about time to get a real (fake) one.

9. This is one of my most embarrassing moments: my freshman year of high school, I started taking a dance class.  The tap number for our recital was Stomp, so we used garbage can lids and brooms as props.  After it was over, as the entire rest of my class was bowing in the front, I was in the back picking up all the props.  I think that says a little about my OCD cleaning habits.


10. Until a few days ago, I had never shot a handgun.  I'd had many a turn with rifles on Indian Princess (another story for another time) retreats and a couple tries with a shotgun shooting clay pigeons.  But when Caroline's boyfriend, Tyler, was here last week, we went to the shooting range and shot a nine millimeter.  I was kinda scared at first, but shooting it was pretty exhilarating.  I can see why people shoot to take out a little aggression (at a target, of course).

11. The search for my "signature scent" has ended.  For our family secret Santa gift exchange, my cousin Sarah gave me a bottle of Weekend by Burberry, and I absolutely love it.  It's light and fresh and great for everyday!


Leah's questions:


1. What was your dream job growing up?  
I think I went through several phases, including the likes of mailman, but the most distinct career I was set on was becoming a vet.  Never mind the fact that I didn't especially love animals, or that science was always my least favorite subject, I had it all planned out to go to Auburn and save everyone's furry friends.


2. Chocolate or vanilla, and has your choice always been that one?
Hands down, chocolate.  And sometimes I assume people who like vanilla better are boring.  I know...I'm judgy.


3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nice segway from the last question.  I think that sometimes I'm too quick to judge people and should give myself time to get to know them before making snap judgments.


4. What is at the top of your bucket list?
See my post, 25 by 25.  The most easily attainable task that I really want to accomplish is number four.


5. If you had to eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I weren't going to weigh 500 pounds, definitely chocolate.  Pizza would probably be a close second.  But I'd need some Diet Coke to go with it.


6. Desert island.  You can bring three items.  What are they?
This is sad, but how could I not say my iPhone?  You'd have music, books, and Temple Run all in one!  And I guess a Diet Coke would be essential.  Would it be bad if I mentioned chocolate a third time in this one post?  Yes.  So maybe my eos lip balm (also know as egg chap).

 7. What was your favorite television show as a child?
There were definitely some phases with this one, as well, dating all the way back to the Barney days.  But my old standby for many, many years was Boy Meets World.  Topanga, as weird as she was, just seemed so cool.


8. If you had to lose one of your five senses, which one would you sacrifice to save the other four?
Interestingly, I already have a lessened sense of smell (likely the result of sinus surgery), and it's really not that bad.  Sometimes I'm even thankful for it; there are quite a few unpleasant smells out there.  It hasn't affected my ability to taste either, which would be a concern for me.  So I'd definitely say I'd sacrifice my sense of smell.


9. What is your theme song?
As overplayed as it was, I think "Good Life," by OneRepublic is a pretty great life anthem.

We're young enough to say/ Oh, this has gotta be the good life/ This could really be a good, good life

10.  Top five things you are thankful for at this moment?
1. Family.  I just got back from a little spring break trip to my aunt Gwen's beach house in Santa Rosa Beach, and it was fabulous.  2. Great friends.  This spring and summer will be full of mini-reunions with lots of them!  I'm also incredibly thankful for the good friends I've made in Nashville.  3. My Louisville Cardinals winning the Big East Championship.  4. My summer internship at Elon University.  5. That I haven't gotten bored of academia.


11. What are you most excited for right now?
The aforementioned reunions.  On the queue are a weekend trip to Greenville to see friends still at Furman and my ranch partner-in-crime, MK; Derby weekend with Furman, Vandy, and maybe some high school friends; family trip to the UK to see Taylor, my little world traveler; and my college roommate and sorority sister Meredith's wedding.  So much fun! 


Post title: "Wanna Talk About Me," by Toby Keith

products i love: j. crew pixie pant

Leggings have gotten a lot of flack recently.  In the 90's, we wore them, stirrups and all, in trendy bold colors and no one seemed to have a problem with that.  But now that every girl from age 10 to 30 has rocked the trend of wearing leggings as pants, that's suddenly not okay.

I'll admit that I was once among the critics.  I scolded one of my friends who seemed to forget she even owned pants.  I even referred this website to her.  Now that I'm (six months) older and wiser, I've realized that that website was clearly created by a boy who doesn't even know the difference between tights and leggings!

This winter, I found the perfect solution to the leggings vs. pants dilemma: the J. Crew Pixie Pant.

Photo courtesy of jcrew.com

It's a perfect hybrid between the two.  A little more stiff and sturdy than your typical legging but just as comfy.  Seams down the back of the legs.  There's even a zipper and hook and eye clasp in the back so you can prove to your friends and coworkers that you are, in fact, wearing legitimate pants.  (Does it sound like I've done this once or twice?)

Photo courtesy of jcrew.com

You can easily tuck them into boots or scrunch them up a little bit and wear with flats.  Personally, I try to stick with longer tops (since the Pixie Pant is still in the legging family).  I have worn them just about every other day since December.  I own them in both black and grey and was extremely disappointed to find that the army green was on sale and sold out before I could get my hands on a pair.  The sweet saleslady consoled me by promising they'll be out with more colors in a future season (I'm hoping next fall).

$88 may sound a little steep when you compare them to leggings but not when you compare them to jeans.  I, for one, have definitely gotten my money's worth.  After recommending them to several friends and finding fellow Pixie Pant wearers who sing their praises, I can honestly say they look good on everyone!  You can't say that about your average joe legging.  The only downside is, they're dry clean only, but if you buy two pairs like me, that becomes less of a problem.

Go here (or visit your local J. Crew store) to join the Pixie Pant club!

25 by 25

A friend recently posted this link on my Facebook wall about 25 things everyone should do before turning 25.  Some of those objectives are more "me" than others.  So I decided to make my own list.  I honestly believe I can achieve all of these tasks by age 25 if I really set my mind to it.  Some may be more doable (and less contingent on outside sources) than others, however.  I really do need to get with it though, because 23 will be here before I know it!  What's your 25 by 25?  (Or 30 by 30, etc.)???

1. Go back to the Cinque Terre (my favorite place on earth).
2. Climb the highest peak in Australia with my dad so I can say I've done one of the seven summits.
3. Run the Color Run in Nashville.
4. Actually learn a song that I can play on the guitar and sing simultaneously.
5. Confidently ski a double black diamond run again.
6. Learn to sew.
7. Join the Junior League.
8. Learn to surf.
9. Swim with dolphins.  As in grab on their fins and go.
10. Go a week without spending any money.
11. Eat a slice of raw tomato.  Plain.  (No I will NEVER eat an orange.  So don't even ask).
12. Go to Prague.
13. Visit Spain and attempt to speak Spanish as much as possible.
14. Compete on some type of game show.
15. Apply for The Amazing Race.
16. See Mumford and Sons perform live.
17. Learn to drive stick shift.
18. Attend a big music festival (Rites of Spring can't count).
19. Go to the fair.
20. Give blood.
21. Audition for a community play.
22. Regularly volunteer for a special cause.
23. Become financially independent.
24. Go to Vegas.
25. Finally read all the Harry Potter books.

no greater feelin' than the love of family

So I'm watching my current favorite TV show, Parenthood, and I started thinking about why I love this show so much.  Perhaps I am amazed at Lauren Graham's ability to play the single mom who really needs to get it together yet again (I'm an avid Gilmore Girls fan).  Or maybe it's the insightful look into the challenges of raising a child with Asperger's.  It could also be the interesting dynamic of Joel as a stay-at-home dad and Julia fulfilling the role of the workaholic lawyer.

But during the midst of an all-out brawl between brothers, while the whole family is talking over each other, I realized that I drawn to all TV shows about big, crazy families.  It doesn't take a psychiatrist (conveniently I do know one of those) to figure out why.  I'm an only child.  And it's no secret to my parents that I've always wished for siblings.  Pretty sure I even lied about my mom being pregnant to one of my preschool teachers.  But for whatever reason, I'm an only child.  And most of the time, I'm content with that.  I love hanging out with my parents.  But I think I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't see a large family in my future.  My TV habits sure indicate that.

Let's go back to the beginning, shall we?  I spent many a weekday afternoon in middle school (er...and high school) curled up on the couch, pretending to do homework, watching Seventh Heaven.  

What girl didn't love watching the Camden siblings wrestle with imaginary friends (Ruthie), pregnancy out of wedlock (Simon), and relationships (all of them...except the twins, I guess) for 11 YEARS???  Honestly?  No one I know watched this show as long as me.  I was literally a high school graduate when the final episode of the show premiered.

I found the constant drama surrounding using the ONE BATHROOM that all seven kids shared quite fascinating.  This is probably because, as an only child, I've always had a bathroom to myself (I adjusted to college quite well despite this, thank you very much).

Thankfully, once Seventh Heaven was cancelled, a more grown-up version appeared on the small screen.  In 2009, the fall of my junior year of college, Brothers and Sisters made its debut.

Centering around slightly more mature issues, like what to do with the family business after the cheating father suddenly dies, this show certainly filled the void that Seventh Heaven left in my homework- pretending schedule.  I especially enjoyed Nora Walker's famous crazy dinner parties, which inevitably lead to a lot of talking over one another (obviously something I look for in welcoming a show into my lineup).

Sadly, this fall did not see Bros and Sisses (as my college roommates and I affectionately called it) return to the living rooms of people everywhere.  I guess not everyone shares my love for shows about loud, boisterous, complicated families.  I'm still upset about the cancellation.  Almost as much as I am about Off the Map.  Don't even get me started.

Post title: "7th Heaven" Theme Song
  

find the artist in you

My mom and I are planning on going to a step-by-step painting class in the next few days, which reminded me that I never posted about my previous experience at Paint Along in Nashville.  I went with Caroline and her friend from school Meredith.  I tried to take pictures after each step, so you can see how easy it is!

This is what the painting was supposed to look like.

First, we painted the background yellow and then added the white sun.

My finished product!  Not quite the original, but I was proud of myself!

Don't be afraid of these classes if you don't consider yourself an artist...the teacher guides you through every step of the painting.  In Nashville, we brought our own bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers.  Apparently, in Kentucky, you can't do that, so when Mom and I go, we'll have to buy wine there if we want it!  I would definitely recommend a BYOB painting class as a fun activity for any girls' night.  There were even a couple guys at our class in Nashville, so it might make a good date night!

fall wishlist

Since I have to dress up for work every day, I am lusting after some new great accessories to complete my fall wardrobe:

Tory Burch Amanda Hobo Bag

Nordstrom Endless Oversize Hoop Earrings

What do you have your eye on this fall?

throw ya hands up

As of tonight, Vanderbilt Homecoming 2011 is officially over.  It was a great few days, and several of my students have told me it was the best Homecoming week in their four years here, but I'd be lying if I said I was a little glad it's finished.  The committee chairs, Josh and Daniel, were so great to work with!

Some highlights from the week:

Me with Trey Songz, the first time he called me beautiful

I went in for the handshake, but he wanted a hug!

The whole Homecoming committee after Block Party with Karmin

Josh, Daniel, Karmin, and me

Post title: "Bottoms Up," by Trey Songz