Nashville

If I were to win the lottery tonight, tomorrow I would book myself a flight.. really to anywhere in the world. While I haven't been to Europe since I studied abroad in 2008 I've come to realize, that while yes, Europe is absolutely amazing and beautiful and full of culture and history, the U.S. is too, and I should be taking full advantage of our 50 states and everything it has to offer. As such, I've been slowly (as time and, more importantly, finances, allow), checking off places right here. Luckily, I have some wonderful friends who are always on board for an adventure, sometimes even spur of the moment.

I always get airfare alerts, just in case a deal pops up that you just can't refuse - you never know! Last February, I got a deal alert for flights to Nashville. A GOOD deal. $200-300 LESS than normal cost. I love country music. I love BBQ. Why not Nashville? I immediately texted my friend, somehow got on board right away, and I booked us flights to Nashville for a long weekend in April less than an hour after getting the alert. Our other friend ended up booking a flight as well. Yes, we did it 3 months in advance. Yes, it was impulsive, but before we knew it April arrived. 

The trip was wonderful. We wandered the city, ate tons of food, heard live music everywhere we went, did the whole bar scene, went to the Grand Ole Opry (and now have since become obsessed with Lennon & Maisy), toured gardens and plantations, saw Taylor Swift's guitar, ate some more at the Pancake Pantry, walked Vanderbilt's campus, ate pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes, and I even got to see my beloved Detroit Red Wings play the Nashville Predators (totally not planned). I'd never been to another hockey arena other than my Wings, so that alone was awesome (and we won!). If you love country music and amazing food, you will love Nashville. It's a very small city, much smaller than I thought it'd be, and easily walkable. Every place you go has live music, everyone is friendly, the food was just unreal (and cheap). It really doesn't get better.

Something about traveling - the excitement leading up the trip, the planning and reading trip advisor/books to figure out where you want to go, packing, going to the airport. The idea of going somewhere completely new to you, and trying new things. Nothing quite beats it. I can't wait to plan my next adventure soon. Where should I go next?

Golden Globes Fashion roundup

Three-day weekends are the best, leaving me feeling like I have enough time to actually accomplish everything I'd like to get done in a weekend, but still having time to just relax. This was the perfect weekend for an awards show.

I love watching awards shows, mostly for the fashion. I enjoy the Golden Globes because they are a great mix of movies and television, and not as serious as the Oscars are (I mean, do you really think the movies The Tourist will be up for an Oscar? I really hope not). As always, Ryan and Giuliana never fail to make me laugh with their very awkward/sometimes inappropriate questions. Ricky Gervais' jokes were shocking to me, because at times I felt he was a bit harsh, however, it was still hilarious. I loved the Robert De Niro segment, I guess I never realized how many movies he's been in (and I found it interesting they left Meet the Parents/Meet the Fockers/Little Fockers out of the clips montage- which De Niro himself mentioned). I was happy to see Glee win awards, but when it came down to Best Television (Comedy), Glee didn't deserve to win. It should have been Modern Family, in my opinion one of the best shows on television.

I loved a LOT of dresses last night, and hated a few too. (Don't hate me, but I wasn't a huge fan of Natalie Portman's dress - it didnt look bad on her, but I never would choose that). Continue on for a few of my favorites!

I had a tie for my favorites of the evening. Between Carrie Underwood, Amy Adams and Anne Hathaway (below). All three of them are just.. classy, on screen (or in their music) and off. I love Carrie and Anne's sparkles, and Amy's one shoulder dress in such a pretty dark blue. I can't wait to see what Anne will wear when hosting the Oscars with James Franco!

Ryan Gosling- again, nothing else to say, I just love him :)

 Eva Longoria -I love how this dress is simple and elegant. Clearly, I love all the sparkles, glitz and glam (as showcased in my other favorite looks of the night) but I think this is a great look for Eva!

Hailee Steinfeld  - How is she only 14? This is a beautiful, age appropriate dress. AND I heard rumors she will be playing Katniss in the movie version of Hunger Games. Could be interesting!                                    

Jake Gyllenhaal - nothing else is needed :)

I adore Jason Segal, and the fact he was singing Meatloaf with Jimmy Fallon makes me love him more.

Who were your favorites of the night?

Missing Madrid

Back in college, I spent a semester studying in Madrid. I was a political science and Spanish major, and able to take politics classes in Spanish, so it made sense for me. It was my first time leaving the country (not counting Mexico/Canada) and leaving my family for 5 months. I was nervous and excited, but looking back, I am so glad I took the opportunity. I was able to explore a significant chunk of Spain, experience new cultures, and travel to other countries as well. I met one of my best friends in Madrid. I tried new foods, practiced my Spanish and went outside of my comfort zone; I knew not one person when I got there. I saw flamenco dancing, ate paella, witnessed a bull fight, and came home never wanting to see ham ever again. I explored, churches, castles, and hundreds of museums. I could talk about my time abroad for hours. In the spirit of my reminiscing, here are a few things I'm missing about Madrid.

I miss the delicious paella (my roomies and I made this one!)… and the gorgeous Retiro park.... 

 The crazy festivals they had for Holy Week (Yes, this woman is strumming a ham!).... 

The amazing architecture and the beautiful flowers and nature...

 The incredible museums and the fun night life in Sol… 

and the beautiful architecture/sculptures/fountains everywhere (Madrid parties in this fountain if their football team wins!)

There are hundreds of other things I miss about Madrid; these are just a few (I have misplaced my pictures of Plaza Mayor my most favorite spot in Madrid). I'd love to go back someday, and take my parents or someone special, and show them the places I loved during my six months there. One of the best decisions I've ever made was to study abroad. I'm so glad I did it!

More travel posts to come; looking at my photos from my time abroad in all the different cities is one of my favorite things to do.

I love my... boots!

So, I saw this idea for a blog post recently on A Diary of a Lovely (a wonderful blog to check out!) where she posted pictures of all of her boots, and have decided to use it for inspiration for my own blog post. I think this may become a semi regular post in my blog, an "I love my..." edition!

I love boots; I would wear them year round if I could. I love all different sizes and colors and am always drooling over amazing ones that I find on Piperlime or DSW... usually ones I can't afford (unfortunately). Here are the boots I do have.

So, even in a one bedroom apartment for just me, I somehow lack floor space to store all of my boots. Therefore, I sadly cram them all into this Rubbermaid container stored in my closet. At least I have them all easily available in one space? Yeah, its a little pathetic my storage choice :) Want to see what's shoved in there? Continue on!

First up, a pair of black booties that are old/I've never worn. My Mom gave them to me from her closet, and I never know what to wear them with! The middle pair of my only pair that have a more "cowboy" feel to them; I wear them a lot. They have a nice heel and are cute, and I like wearing them with jeans. The final ones, are my gray suede booties that I LOVE. They are so incredibly comfortable, I got them from Nordstrom last year and get great use out of them.

Next up are my taller boots. Please ignore the fact that they are so dang floppy that I could not get them to stand up straight. The ones on the left are my tallest pair, and super casual black boot that my Mom found for me at Nordstrom Rack, super cheap. They tie in the back and are very comfortable; I wear them a lot on weekends. The middle, are my Hunter rain boots (in black) I got as a Christmas present last year, but the size was wrong and they were SO back-ordered that it took until March before I finally got them! Best pair of rain boots I've had; they're durable, functional and comfortable. The final pair are my Steve Maddens I purchased just a few weeks ago. I know everyone has them, but there's a reason- they look good with dresses, skirts, jeans.. just about anything. And, comfortable!

Just another photo to show they're not the same pair of boots and I'm not a weirdo who purchases boots that are exactly the same! (Steve Maddens on left)

Whats a boot post without my Uggs? I have more pairs back at my parent's home, but these are my classic short brown ones beat up from my college days (but have lasted FOREVER with their reinforced toe) and my gray cardy uggs. I have a pink and black pair at home as well.

Another photo of my beloved Hunter boots for good measure :)

That was surprisingly fun to go through and photograph my boots, and then write about them. What would you like to see next in my "I love my.." edition? What are your favorite pair of boots/shoes? I love seeing what other people wear!

Daily Dose of Cute

aaand for your daily dose of cute for the day, the Smithsonian's National Zoo Flickr Page features photos of 8-week-old tiger cubs attempting to swim. Adorable.