A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR

Let's be honest...





Girlfriends are the best friends.

(although I've got a few good men in my life, too...)
:)

MUSIC REVIEW : SHEEPDOGS

Last night was spent with the lady friends at The Basement seeing Canadian rock n roll band, Sheepdogs. They're the first & only unsigned band to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. They've since been signed to Atlantic & Patrick Carney of the Black Keys will be producing their new album. The ladies & I decided they sound alot like the Allman Brothers (& sort of look like them too!).

My favorite song "I Don't Know" happens to be their most recent music video. Check it out below...

A YEAR IN REVIEW : 2011

My puppy, Macallen. My favorite part of 2011.

A Year In Review

In January, I spent the first day of the year recovering from a wonderful NYE; Celebrated Shanda's birthday at City House; I started dying my hair from home instead of in a salon, which I had been doing for almost 10 years; I was having a blast working at Francesca's; & the lady friends & I made a night of Adventure Science Center's Way Late Play Date.

In February, it snowed a little; I got stuck while driving in the snow for the first time ever (terrifying!); I planned a mini Valentine's Day party with my bests where we dined at J. Alexanders & saw Bieber's Never Say Never in a big theatre all by ourselves; I pondered moving to Texas; & I started working out alot.

In March, I discovered Two Door Cinema Club & purchased Adele's 21. Both albums spoke so much to my life. They remain two of my favorites; I dyed my hair dark again for the first time in a long time; I wrote a post about my tattoos which continues to be the most popular entry on here; I spent alot of evenings at JJ's Wine Bar; & I landed an unexpected interview with Harley-Davidson.

In April, I kissed my Frannies goodbye & started work at Harley-Davidson; My anxiety got the best of me & became a challenging focal point in my life; I had to say goodbye to my precious pup, Boston. He was such a light in my life; I read Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman & cried like a baby; & I road tripped to Cookeville with my bests to see my first step show. Yep.

In May, I saw my future husband, Tom Jones, in concert; I let go of alot of pain & grief that I had been holding onto for a long time; The ladies & I threw a surprise party for Lauren's boyfriend, David; I went on a mini tweeting hiatus & took part in a 30-day emotional detox; & I attended my first bike show.

In June, I attended a Willie Nelson concert that our shop sponsored; My social life kicked into high gear; I went on my first business trip to Atlanta; Tragic circumstances brought old friends back into my life; & I started goal writing again.

In July, I saw U2 in concert at Vanderbilt; Spent the 4th with my besties watching the fireworks downtown; Purchased my first pair of Wayfarers; Celebrated Lauren's birthday Italian style; Attended the Britney Spears & Nicki Minaj concert; I had big falling out with a boy; I discovered one of my new favorite movies, Harold & Maude; I signed on my house in Nashville & took the leap to live with my two best friends.

In August, I got promoted at work to my current position as general manager; Quickly moved into my new place & then went on vacation; I swam in the ocean for the first time; I purchased my first black (faux) leather jacket; & I had the most EPIC birthday party ever.

In September, I created my 23 Things list; I read Elizabeth Gilbert's Committed & it rocked my world; My parents welcomed a new puppy into the family; & I started drinking Green monsters.

In October, I saw Justin Bieber in the flesh; I celebrated the opening of my bestfriend's little sister's tattoo shop; I started caring about my wardrobe again; I visited a local farm & pumpkin patch; Had an epic Halloween where I dressed as Carol Ann from Poltergeist; & I began my leap into veganism.

In November, I started work on my dream bedroom; We threw a Bros & Hoes party for Kayla's birthday; I fell fast & hard for a dreamer; I celebrated Thanksgiving with family & friends; & I went to ALOT of shows.

In December, I saw my most favorite band, Hall & Oates, at The Ryman; I attended a Christmas party dressed as a Christmas tree; I got a new hairstyle a bit out of my comfort zone but that I'm totally in love with; I reconnected with more old friends; I had a beautiful Christmas with my family + Alexis; I attended even more shows; & I came to my senses.

All in all, I think it was a pretty fantastic, productive, inspiring year. It most certainly had its ups and way down lows, but I came out on top in the end, which I can't really say is true of every year.

I am very much looking forward to everything that 2012 has to offer. Bring on Armageddon!

Click here to read last year's Year In Review!

HAPPY FESTIVUS (TO THE REST OF US)

Merry Christmas! (Belated, of course)
or Happy Holidays!

Santa was very, very good to me this year. Bringing me a kindle, a membership to the Frist Museum, a shearling vest, & lots of Bieber gear (as pictured below). The weekend was spent at my parent's. I enjoyed a few days off & way too much holiday food & spirits. I can still feel remnants of a Christmas hangover.

I cannot believe that 2011 is coming to a close. I literally feel like I was ringing in the new year just a few short months ago. But here we are, nearly 12 months later. SO much has changed. I thought last year was my biggest year in personal growth, but this year proved me wrong. I am so excited for what 2012 holds. Hopefully not an apocalypse, but I could go for a few life changes. :)

I've got a recap of 2011 scheduled for tomorrow. Should be fun to look back.
Until then!

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

This past week was packed with social outings with all my besties. Tuesday was spent at the boys' house for their Christmas Sweater Party. In true Lindsey fashion, I dressed as a Christmas tree in a Betsey Johnson dress & Anthropologie sweater because let's face it...I don't own a tacky Christmas sweater & couldn't find the time to go purchase one.

The rest of the week was a blur. Too many shows and bars to name. My friend, Andy, and I did manage to see Hall & Oates at The Ryman thanks to an early Christmas gift from my parents. We had such a good time! I still can't believe I got to see them live. They've been my favorite band for so long. What a treat!

Tonight I'll be decorating the house for Christmas with my roomies. We've got a big dinner planned so we can all get caught up on each other's lives. It's funny living with two of your bestfriends and still rarely having time to actually see one another. Such is life! I'm just thankful to have them in my life. :)

Until next time!

CHASING

via weheartit

Sometimes you meet someone that inspires you. Sometimes you meet someone that merely peaks your interest. Sometimes you meet someone that shakes you to your core. They evoke feelings inside of you that you have never felt before. That person changes you. Sometimes for a day but sometimes for forever. The only way to be sure is to chase that change. Chase those feelings. Follow them as high or as low as they'll take you. Guard your heart in the process but trust that the world is working in your favor because sometimes the world has no choice. Maybe you're at your all time low, you've lost everything you have to lose. Your faith is shaken and your hope is sparse.

Give trust a try.

& run...don't walk. Don't look back. Don't question your heart's motive or your intuition's ability.

Trust. Chase.

Twenty-Four

My beautiful best friend, Kayla, turned 24 this past weekend. We celebrated with a night out to Virago for expensive sushi & wine. Then on Saturday, a Bros & Hoes themed party with tons of friends. The costumes were laughable & I think it might have been Kayla's best birthday yet!

Now I'm gearing up for Thanksgiving. My parents & I (yes, I plan on helping) will be making dinner for 11 of our friends. But first my dad & I will be waking up extra early to eat breakfast & watch the Macy's Parade together. My favorite holiday tradition. :) Can't wait! Hope everyone has a lovely day with friends or family!

They're heeeere..!

Where do I even begin...!? October flew by in the blink of an eye. It seems to do that every year. So on this day forward, I will now consider November to be my favorite month. Let's be honest, the weather is much better & jellooo? Do I even need to mention Thanksgiving?

Halloween was a hoot. I wore no less than three costumes that weekend. One which included my very favorite costume of all time. Carol Anne from Poltergeist. & yes, that would be Baley dressed up as a television. My television. "They're here!"

I have about 3,000 photos from that night but I won't torture you with the monotony of party pics. They're mostly just photos of me fist pumping my baby doll into the air. I was having a good time.

Clearly.

I am very much looking forward to this month. Lots of goals set for myself & Christmas is right around the corner! I spent the day decorating for Christmas at the shop today. See?

Can't wait!

p.s. I will try to be a better blogger from this day forward. Try.

Cowboys & Indians...& Aliens?

Warning: Image heavy...

(Please note: Lauren's hilarious face. She makes the best of them!)

The lack of posts around here isn't due to the lack of adventure. These past few weeks have been packed full of summer fun with my bests. I have a couple of posts scheduled about my birthday beach trip but I couldn't hold off on posting all of these hilarious photos from last night. We're still working on the internet situation at our house which is why this place has been so quiet!

The girls & I had a party at our new house in Nashville to celebrate my 23rd birthday & invite friends to see our humble abode. The theme was Cowboys & Indians. We decided to keep it interesting & add the option of dressing up as an alien. The outcome was laughable.

The house was packed with so many new & old faces. Best birthday yet.

Surprise!

This past weekend has been a timely reminder of how amazing friendships can be. I am truly blessed. On Friday, bff Lauren decided to throw a surprise party for her lovely boyfriend, David (It's also their 1 year anniversary this month)! She spent alot of time planning so the surprise would go off without a hitch. Lauren is a terrible secret keeper so I'm still not quite sure how she pulled it off! The ladies & I, along with a few of David's friends set up at Bongo Java East after they closed for the evening. At 9pm sharp, he arrived with Lauren & was completely surprised! Success!

We spent the evening drinking champagne, dancing, & getting caught up with all our favorite people. It was a wonderful evening. :)

I didn't roll in until 5:30am this morning after last night's festivities. 5:30 AM, PEOPLE! I hadn't done that since college. Shanda & I spent the evening at a show at The Basement to see our lovely friends, The Gills. A dance party & Wizard of Oz viewing followed that. I hadn't really realized how weird The Wizard of Oz truly is...until now.

Until next time! xxx

a year in review

(I've never done a year in review, but decided this year I definitely wanted to start a new tradition! Click the links to be routed to my old blog on livejournal.)

In January I rung in the new year with a party in which all my best friends attended; I nearly broke my ankle while leaving Taco Mamacita; I was unemployed for a whole 30 days; I attended the symphony for the first time; The name for my future business was born; & I learned the difference between love and commitment.

In February I started my first big girl job; I found self confidence; but decided to hide under my single skin; I got my first pair of Burberry frames; I became OBSESSED with fitness & starting running outside for the first time.

In March & April I fell head over heels in lust with someone for the first time; I became a vegetarian & became obsessed with learning about food; I moved into my own apartment in Franklin & paid my bills for the first time; I became completely overwhelmed & stressed out with my job; I threw a bridal shower for my sister in law; & I attended a Drake concert at Vanderbilt, which re-inspired my love of hip hop.

In May my world was turned completely upside down when my town was flooded. I realized the true meaning of pain, devastation, & loss; I attended Kayla's college graduation in Indiana & Shanda's in Kentucky; My brother got MARRIED!; & I attended my first crawfish boil.

In June & July my perspective started shifting; Haley came to visit; I threw my bestfriend a French circus themed birthday party; I welcomed an ivory leather jacket into my life; I vacationed with my parents & Kayla in Rosemary Beach; & I realized how miserable my life was making me & decided changes needed to be made...

In August I cut my hair off; I started this blog; I became obsessed with Hanson after seeing their live show in Nashville; I attended Lauren's graduation from Belmont; I had a big birthday bash at Virago & turned 22; I rejoined twitter; I read The Power & rediscovered my spirituality.

In September & October I quit my miserable day job & started my current job at Francesca's Collections; I celebrated being single for a whole year; Lauren moved to France for three months & my life changed dramatically; I learned the art of "putting yourself out there"; I watched all 6 seasons of Sex & The City; I dressed up as a Baller-ina for Halloween; & I realized I had finally fallen out of love with my ex boyfriend.

In November & December I reached a sort of happiness & fulfillment that I had never felt before; I traveled to Atlanta to see Hanson & met Zac; I quit blogging on livejournal (which I'd been doing since 2004) & moved to blogspot full time; I moved in with my parents; I worked myself to death & got mono for the 2nd time; I welcomed Lauren back to America; I threw a big Christmas party & realized my feelings were changing for someone; I had a lovely, lazy Christmas with my beautiful family; & I rung in the new year with my very bestfriends & got more than my fair share of kisses at midnight.

Now here I sit, three days into 2011 and I am in disbelief how much my life has changed in the past year. I am happier than I have ever been and proud of all the hard work I have put in to get to this point. All I can say is that I am so very excited for this year. It's going to be a good one...