Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's that time again, ladies! Let's confess!

1) I confess that I've watched this video by OK Go "The Writing's On the Wall" approximately 57 times. It's a visual trip and probably one of the coolest music videos to-date. You have to view it a few times before you realize the amount of detail and work that they poured into it.



2) I confess that (I hope) we have found our house! We are submitting the offer this morning on a brand spankin' new house, so hopefully I'll have more news later today! I'll post on Instagram with a pic if I'm able later today. This home is a dream come true and I'm really grateful that it will (hopefully) be ours. Wish us luck that they'll accept the offer and we can start packing!

3) I confess that I got a look at my roots yesterday and WOAH MOMMA. My hair grows SO stinkin' fast during the summer, so July 9th (hair appointment day) can't come soon enough!

4) I confess that I'm obsessed with the Lauren James dress line. Have y'all seen it? You can buy several styles from Riffraff, which are so cute and perfect for summer events. I snatched the Hampton Dress for myself (and plan to show off some of those pics on Monday), but I'm about to add the Livingston to my life, too. Seriously, check out the line. You'll LUST over it like me.

Back of the Livingston Dress

Livingston Dress by Lauren James via Riffraff

Hampton Dress in Spring Green via Riffraff

Okay, we've got a crazy morning with the house stuff, so I'm going to let y'all get to it. Confess away!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

A Concert, a Link Up and Other Stuff Lately

Hey, friends! Checking in a little later than usual this morning, as I've been hanging out with my momma. She came down last night to watch Caroline while we went to the Dave Matthews concert in Tulsa! What a blast that was. Seriously, does Dave ever not put on a helluva show?

1) If you follow me on Instagram (my username is ablondeambition) you probably saw these pics yesterday, so I apologize for the repetitiveness.

I did soft waves for the show last night and was pleased with how they turned out - so easy!

Also, can I just sing the praises of my concert dress? So breezy and cool, plus it looked really cute underneath my new (and cheap!) denim vest. The perfect look for a casual show. (And by 'perfect', I mean comfy.)

Dress purchased from Anna's Armoire (look them up on Instagram at annasarmoire), denim vest from Target (here), necklace is old (very similar here)

2) Y'all excited for the special recipe edition of Confessional Friday tomorrow? You should be. I am. Get ready to link up and share your favorite easy dinner recipes.

3 ) Our house officially goes up for sale next Tuesday and I'm SO ready. I'm hoping we sell relatively quickly, but we will see. We have a couple houses picked out that we'd like to tour, so fingers crossed that this one sells and we get to put an offer on another.

4) I had heard that the e.l.f. brand of blush/bronzer was super comparable to NARS and - WOW - is it ever. I bought the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia and loved how it gave subtle, sunkissed color for last night's concert look. I think it will be a summer staple.

What are you gals up to today? Big plans for Memorial Day weekend?

The Easter Song

I post this song every year on Good Friday because, for me at least, it tells the Greatest Story of Love and Sacrifice more beautifully and more simply than I've ever heard. It's called "The Garden" by NEEDTOBREATHE, one of my favorite bands.

I hope that wherever you are this upcoming Easter weekend, you realize that God loves you fully and unconditionally.

Lion King Flash Mob

You've probably seen this flying around everywhere today, (no pun intended), but just in case you haven't, I wanted to share. If you're as big a fan of The Lion King as I am, you'll appreciate this.

Apparently, the Aussie castmates of the famed Broadway show boarded a plane yesterday and gave passengers the impromptu performance of a lifetime.

So beautiful and powerful and joyful that it gave me goosebumps.

Stop What You're Doing

...and watch this NOW.

You're welcome.

Grammy Round-up

Yeah, I know it was like soooo two days ago, but I still felt the urge to expel my thoughts on the 2013 Grammy Awards. If I am good for nothing else, I am good for award show commentary. 

Best Dressed

For once, I'm not giving this title to a woman. I'm giving it to a man…named Justin Timberlake. Kudos to J.T. for being the only man in attendance to shower and wash his hair before the awards show.

Even though typically put little RiRi in the worst dressed category, I have to hand it to her stylist – well done.

I also really liked Beyonce’s pant suit. But then again, she could wear a hazmat suit and make it look like Philip Lim couture.

 …and Lena Dunham’s yellow dress. She was radiant. And I have a girl crush on her.

Worst Dressed

I didn’t love Katy Perry’s frock, but I’m glad we all got to know her two friends Left and Right a little better.

Janelle Monae – I’m going to look her up on Wikipedia to find out who she is – looked like a bull fighter. Somewhere in Spain, a matador is looking for his clothes...

Favorite Moments

-FUN. is a dope band, made even more dope by their use of rainfall during Carry On. Does their lead singer remind anyone else of Freddie Mercury? (If you don’t know who Freddie M. is, we can’t be friends anymore.)

-Jack White’s performance. I’ll admit that I’m biased and, in my eyes, he does nothing wrong. To date, his live show is the best I’ve ever seen.

-Not really a moment, but I love that this rock-a-billy, folky music is trending nowadays. I’m sick of the overly auto-tuned crap that, ahem, certain young music stars are putting out these days. Yay for real musicians.

-Seeing Alabama Shakes front woman Brittany Howard belt it out during the Levon Helm tribute. Girl’s got some pipes.

Things I Wish I Could Erase From My Memory

Frank Ocean’s strange performance of Forrest Gump. I’m still scratching my head.

Hunter Hayes? Who is this kid? I can’t put my finger on it, but this little boy rubs me the wrong way. I dunno.

Every time the camera panned over to Taylor Swift singing and dancing. To the Grammy producers: I do not care to see Tay Swift’s reaction to Mumford and Sons. Ever. I’d much rather watch, well, Mumford and Sons.

Which moments did you love and loathe from this year’s Grammy show? Spill it, bunnies.

The Night the Girls Ran the Show

What happened during last night's half-time was nothing but absolute fierceness. From Alicia Keys's soaring rendition of the national anthem, to J.Hud and the kiddos from Sandy Hook, it was insanity in pure female form.

Then Beyonce came out. Queen Bey took the stage for thirty minutes of dancing and singing like a maniac. And she killed it.

Killed it dead.

Side note: I'm installing some kind of hydraulic system in my living room so that I, too, can be lifted up through the floor to appear when we have dinner guests. 

Just when I thought my head would explode from pure entertainment, Bey brought Destiny's Child out for a couple numbers.

Suddenly, I was transported back into high school, driving around with my friend Jessica in my pearl white '98 Honda Prelude. (For the record, I graduated H.S. in 2003. I. Feel. Old.)

For those who grew up in the Destiny's Child era with me...

...allow me to take you back.

A Game, A Concert and A TV Finale

via Needtobreathe.net

Greetings, lovelies! Hope you all had a great weekend! We did A LOT, but unfortunately, I have zero pics of the entire weekend.

1. Friday night we went to see Needtobreathe at the AMP in Fayetteville. My parents drove down from Heber Springs (about 3 1/2 hours south of where we live) and we all went together. If you've never seen this amazing group live or even if you've never heard their music, I'd encourage you to do so.

via Needtobreathe.net

Their new album, The Reckoning, is currently available on iTunes for something like $9...crazy! Here's a video from YouTube of a live radio show they did a couple of years ago doing Something Beautiful, just so you can get a feel for how talented they are:



2. Saturday we played Auburn for what was a pretty exciting game! We ended up winning (woohoo!) despite some pretty iffy calls made by the refs. Auburn definitely gave us a run for our money and were good sports about the whole thing. I just love the mutual respect that the SEC teams have for one another...makes our conference unique and awesome : )

3. Saturday I made a pot of caramel apple dip for us to snack on while we watched the game. Here's the recipe, if you wanna give it a whirl:

2 pkgs. caramel candies (I buy the already unwrapped variety)

1 small can of sweetened condensed milk

1 8oz. package of cream cheese

Melt all ingredients in crock pot on high for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the crock pot down to it's Low setting. Serve with slices of apples for a yummy treat!

4. Last night was the season finale of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, for all the fellow RH fans out there. I wasn't surprised at what Teresa wrote in her cookbook, (I think she's a fair weather friend), but I was shocked at how she didn't own any of it. I mean, if you talk crap about your friends, at least own up to it, right?!

5. I saw a commercial for Johnny Depp's new film, The Rum Diaries and now I can't wait for October 28th to get here.

6. This weekend marked the start of mine and Stephen's scary Netflix movie month. Everything in our queue from now until the end of the month is a scary movie and I'm pumped! On our list:

Shutter Island
The Shining
Poltergeist
Psycho
Cold Creek Manor
Ghostbusters (not really scary, but a classic nonetheless)
Halloweentown (um, yes...the Disney movie...don't judge)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the Jessica Biel remake)
Seven
The Silence of the Lambs
Scream (yep, the original!)

7. I'm going through our candid wedding pics taken by friends an family and have been laughing my head off. A few gems, which I may or may not share on the blog:

-A pic of me "spanking" Stephen during his, um, dance that he did for me. Yes, this was in front of our entire wedding audience at the reception.

-A pic of my brother, (who is 19) stealing a sip of red wine from someone's glass : )

-A pic of 4 teeny little girls dancing around Stephen and laughing their heads off on the dance floor.

-A pic of my mom and Matron of Honor both sticking their hands up my dress trying to bustle it. Nothing like 4 hands grabbing your booty all at the same time, haha!

8. Get ready. I'll be showing the start of those here on the blog tomorrow : ) EEEP!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Trend Watch Wednesday: {Festival Chic}



via Pinterest

 Trend Watch Wednesday has really been getting pushed to the back burner this summer, mainly because I feel like I “fashion” y’all to death sometimes. But alas, clothing and the like are true loves of mine (materialistically speaking) and therefore deserve their rightful place on the blog from time to time : - )

Today I wanna talk about the style at recent music fests Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Glatsonbury in the UK. I haven’t been to a gritty, nasty, awesome music fest in years, but I still love to look at style pics on websites like Style.com.

via Style.com

via Mr. Newton on Pinterest

via Pinterest and Pinterest

via Pinterest

Music fests are synonymous with bohemian tops, maxi skirts and hemp sandals. But lately, it seems a slightly more edgy and chic style is infiltrating the outdoor music scene. I call it Festival Glam.

via Still the Lovely

Even if you didn’t catch Coachella or Bonnaroo this year, there’s still time to channel your inner hippy chick. Our friends at Topshop never fail us and, once again this season, have come up with some incredible pieces sure to make you the most stylish honey at the venue:


Easy Breezy Babe

White Crochet Neck Sundress, Moto Bleach Wash Denim Jacket, HIPPO Multi Swirl Sandals, Navy Washed Leather Duffle Bag

This white sundress from Topshop paired with this Moto Denim jacket, satchel and crochet gladiators is just the ticket to a daytime or nighttime show. The jacket is small enough to roll up and store in the bag during the day and the sandals allow your feet to breathe.

Glam Gypsy Rocker

Grey Animal Print Racerback Maxi Dress, Black Whipstitch Leather Satchel, Lipstick in Infrared, Fluster Black Jewel Thong Espadrille Sole Sandals

I LOVE this leopard print maxi dress as a flowy, feminine alternative to leather and chains, which we’re so used to seeing at rock shows. Pair the dress with a fab whipstitch bag and bright coral red lip for added drama. Then watch the boys gather ‘round…


Kitschy Kitten

Stripe Slash Arm Tank, Lott Spotty Espadrile Platforms, MOTO Black Denim High Waisted Hotpants, Black Suede Fringed Shopper Bag, Solid Gel Eyeliner in Steely

Hot pants? Check. Tight fitting baby tee? Check. Sky-high espadrilles? Check and check. This outfit provides all the ingredients for creating a super sexy music fest look. I totally envision Katy Perry sporting something like this to a music fest. This outfit is probably most appropriate for a nighttime show. Don’t forget to stick a pair of ballet flats or sandals in your bag, since these shoes are could be a quick ticket to blister city : ) But hey, beauty is pain, right?

Modern Muse

Multi Aztec Print Open Back Cami, Orange Tassel Front Leather Bag, HUNK Metal Chain Gladiators

The off-white skinny jeans, exotic printed cami and tasty orange cross-body bag make this the most wearable of the outfits (and probably the most comfortable.) This outfit can go easily from day to night with a smoky eye and stiletto heel, perfect for those concert after parties.

Tips for Festival Syling

-Wear comfortable shoes. A music fest is a guarantee that you’ll probably be standing for hours, so be kind to your tootsies and go with flats. Gladiator sandals and crochet ballet flats are all the rage this summer.

-Don’t get all matchy-matchy. This rule of thumb applies to styling for any type of event in my opinion, but especially at a music fest. Don’t be afraid to mix contrasting colors and patterns. A vintage tee pairs beautifully with a feminine blazer. A pretty sundress looks amazing with distressed oxfords. Dare to be bold in your choices, girls.

- Go easy on the make-up. Clown face is never cool, particularly in the summer when you’re face is bound to melt off by noon, anyway. I love a good tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara and simple gloss when I’m outside all day. You’ll look pulled together, but won’t run the risk of looking like The Joker when you start to sweat : )


So go forth, you music loving vixens, and conquer!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Good Life

via Pinterest

I always get in this crazy, giddy mood the first week of summer where I just wanna drive really fast with the windows down and my music cranked way up. Preferably with some sort of slushy, fruity concoction from Sonic in the cup holder.

Stephen and I were out on the boat last weekend, laughing obnoxiously while the wind smacked us in the face and ice cold lake water splashed us as we hit the wakes...I was giggling, shrieking  like a kid when someone tosses them up in the air...and there was a moment when the sun was shining oh-so-very-bright and I was warm and happy....and I remember thinking to myself, "This is how life is meant to be lived."

Laughing uncontrollably at nothing, getting soaked, getting a titch sunburned and just plain devouring the moment.

Sometimes life's moments can best be described in song. Ergo, one of my favorite summer songs, aptly titled "Good Life" by OneRepublic.

Enjoy.

P.S.- I'm extending the SwimSpot giveaway another week, due to the commenting issues that some of us have been experiencing lately on Blogger blogs. I want to give everyone a fair shot and plenty of time to get an entry in. I've been told that if you comment using FireFox instead of IE, it works! Or, if you need to leave an Anonymous comment, just be sure to include your name (first name only is just fine) and link to your blog (if you have one) with your entries- that works too!!

P.P.S.- I'm in Chi-town for work Monday and Tuesday, but I'll be posting 2 YUMMY Black Bean Salsa recipes from a couple sweet blogger friends this weekend to tide you over 'til I get back. 

Be blessed, lovelies-

The Garden

I wanted to share my very favorite Easter-themed song with you all this morning, "The Garden."  It sums up Christ's sacrifice for us better than any other song I've heard and it's also sung (and written) by my favorite band, Needtobreathe.

Have a blessed Good Friday and a happy Easter.

Be blessed, lovelies-

To Coachella We Go

via Planet Blue

First off, thank you all so much for your sweet, supportive words yesterday! I really do have the best readers in the blog world : )

Secondly, this post is dedicated to my bestie/maid of honor, Dee. She loves music fests as much as I do and we truly feel that we should have been groupies for a rock and roll band at some point in our lives.

Now, I am not going to Coachella, but I want to very badly. But I'm a working girl who is saving her vacay time for a certain honeymoon in September. So instead, I'll just pretend that I'm going by channeling my inner hippie chick on the weekends with some fabulous, music-fest worthy attire.

via Planet Blue

Planet Blue did a spread on Coachella inspired fashion today and I'm dying over these cool duds.

Insight Pennyless Tank, Mini Harmonica Necklaces

Blu Moon Double Take Tank in Flesh, Parker Beaded Jacket

Makes me want to board a VW van and head to Cali.

Parker Beaded Jacket, Turquoise Ring by Lucky, Boots by Sam Edelman, Bracelet by Lucky

One last thing, if you purchase anything this spring, make it a killer pair of denim shorts. I got mine (seen below) at a secondhand shop in Fayetteville for $8. Goes to show, you don't have to spend a fortune for trendy items!

Purchased at Cheap Thrills, Fayetteville, AR

Be blessed, lovelies-

...and a splash of Random



via


A little "random" goes along way. Which is why I allow myself only one day a week to purge all of my wandering thoughts onto the virtual paper we call Blog.

Because believe you me, if I didn't put a limit on the randomsauce myself, y'all would have moved on from this blog eons ago, dearies.

Anywho, no sense in delaying the inevitable. It's time for rando talk:

1. So, I met up with my fiancé for a lunchtime workout yesterday. After our exercise sesh, I went into the locker room to shower and change back into my office clothes. I'm putting the finishing touches on my make-up when out of one of the stalls walks this lady NAKED AS A JAILBIRD.

She then proceeds to start doing her own make-up, not 10 feet away from me at the mirror/vanity/bar thingy. Still sans clothing. I hurried up and packed up my gym bag and high-tailed it out of there.This might have been one of the most awkward moments in my entire 26 year life.

2. I tried to think of a clever segue into this blurb, but I got nothin'. Maybe one of these babies would have helped aformentioned naked gymgoer? I got this, The Miraculous® Bra, in fuchsia/hot pink from VS the other night and L.O.V.E. it to pieces. It gives a nice little lift and gives you the option of wearing it crossback or halter style. 

 

3. Enough about my skivvies, let's talk about gas prices and foreign policy. But not really.

4. I know this news is older than the Ten Commandments, but Lady Gaga has a new single, Born This Way, that I'm all over.  It kept me going and going on the treadmill yesterday and, like every other Gaga song, I probably won't get tired of it.

5. And speaking of Our Fair Lady, did y'all see her roll up to the Grammy's in that egg thing? Hmmm, could be a great solution for those pesky rainy day walks to my office.

6. Got my hair "did" yesterday (thank you Lord for highlights) and, whil'st there, booked my wedding hair appointment. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing my own make-up though. I'm super picky and typically end up looking like a circus clown every time I get make-up done by another person. And I'm not really sure Bozo Chic is the look I'm striving for on The Big Day.

7. I'll end on 7, because it is lucky. Or so they say. Whatevs.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Rolling in the Deep

To say I cannot get enough of this song would be an understatement. If you love the brilliance known as Adele as much as I do, download Rolling in the Deep on iTunes now. It's a little reminiscent of early Carly Simon and Stevie Nicks stuff. The video is breathtaking; the dancer, the broken dishes, the glasses of water...so unlike anything I've seen lately.

Check it out, y'all!

Be blessed, lovelies-

iPhone Picture Purge

Oh, Thursday….the day of heightened anticipation for the weekend…Friday Eve…how doth I love thee.

Today’s post will ensure you receive your recommended daily allowance of randomness, for sure. I mean, I feel like I haven’t gotten to do a post where I just talk to y’all in a long time; no fashion stuff, no decor baloney or holiday survival tips...just plain talk.

So here goes:

• Mine and S’s weekend in Chicago wasn’t all blizzards and traffic jams…we actually had a big ole time in the Windy City prior to Sunday’s Ice Road Truckers re-enactment. We went to the lounge at the top of the Hancock Tower on Friday night and luckily got a table right by the window. This was our view as we sipped wine:

• Oh yes, and I decorated le Christmas tree. Behold:

• I thought this was pretty stinking cute. This is Max on Thanksgiving morning, which I randomly found on my iPhone last night. He was O-V-E-R it by 10:00 a.m.

...and later that day, we found him like this again. My little man loves to sleep...it's his fav hobby : )

• A few more of you have emailed me about the bag in this photo from last month, my faux Miu Miu...I actually got it 2 years ago (yes, I carry purses FOREVER) as a Christmas gift from a website called Shop Suey Boutique. Although this one isn't on there anymore, they have TONS of other cute faux designer bags for great prices, including other Miu Miu-inspired bags. (And know, this wasn't clever advertisement placement..I really do love the site and they didn't pay me to say that : )

Good excuse to put up pics of my cutie, no? : )

• Rihanna’s new CD is smashtastic. Seriously good stuff. If you don’t feel like shelling out the $9.99 for the whole album (which I would suggest doing, since two awesome bonus songs are included if you get the entire thing), at least purchase Raining Men feat. Nicki Minaj, S&M, Love the Way You Lie- Pt. II, Fading and Man Down. Actually, just buy the whole shabang.

On a serious note, a good friend of mine from high school was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is only 26 and underwent another surgery yesterday. She begins chemotherapy soon and will likely lose her hair, (she already cut it very short in preparation, but seriously, it looks really cute!). Could you guys please say an extra prayer for her tonight?

Ok, that’s all I’ve got until tomorrow. Be happy, be healthy and most of all…

Be blessed, lovelies-

Surviving the Holidays: {Fa La La}

via Rue Magazine

Glad tidings on this Tuesday morning …so delighted you stopped by.

Today is technically my Thursday at work, as tomorrow will be my last day for the week. We leave for the Windy City on Thursday morning and I couldn’t be happier!

So I finally finished my tree over the weekend and I think it turned out pretty well! I would show you, but  the fact that I am (for whatever reason) completely unable to move photos from my camera to my desktop is hindering that process at the moment. Which also means the photos of my cupcake will not be revealed today either. It's ok to cry...I know you're positively deflated.

Sooooo, we're gonna talk about something that requires no photos from le camera...Christmas songs.

I've got pretty nice playlist on regular rotation on my iPod, so I'll share a few of my favs with y'all and you can share your favs with me, m'kay?

Baby, It's Cold Outside- Glee Cast
This song is BRAND spanking new from the kids of Glee and I love it...so fun!

Wish List- Neon Trees
Another new one from a band I have grown to enjoy very much this year...check it out.

Love Came Down at Christmas- Jars of Clay
Cool sounding guitar intro and neat lyrics.

Joy to the World- Bebo Norman
I love his no-frills, straight acoustic guitar version of this Christmas classic. Plus I like to say his name. Beeeeboooo. Beeeeboooo. Bebo. (Ga'head, try it).

Go Tell it on the Mountain- NeedToBreathe
My fav band and one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. What more can you say?

Born to Die- Bebo Norman
Gorgeous, goosebump-inducing song.

Carol of the Bells- The Bird and the Bee
Very cool, whimsical rendition of this song.

Oh Holy Night- Celine Dion
Oh man, does Ms. Dion do this song justice...wow.

Angels We Have Heard on High- MercyMe
I like their dramatic take on this older Christmas tune...nicely done, boys. Nicely done.

So I'm curious to know, what are some of YOUR favorite Christmas songs? What's on your holiday playlist right now?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Nashville, Memphis and Back Again



Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN (via)


9= Number of Pumpkin Spice Lattes consumed during 4 days of road tripping

279= Approximate number of mullets seen during 4 days of road tripping through AR/TN

45,690= Grams of trans-fats ingested at various southern eateries in Nashville/Memphis

Priceless= Seeing an amazing band at a world famous venue, visiting the grave of one Johnny Cash and laughing so hard every day that our stomachs hurt.

In case y'all haven't figured it out by now, I'm back from the Nashville road trip extravaganza. Oh, it was so bittersweet having to come back to work today...if only every week consisted of 3 days of actual working and 2 days of roadtripping through the deep South with my sweet guy. Le sigh.

Today, a little recap of the past 4 days:

We headed out from Northwest Arkansas around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. We grabbed the first of several Pumpkin Spice Lattes, packed our stuff in the car and hit the road, iPod and appropriate playlists set and ready to go.

We got to Nashville around 3:30 Thursday afternoon and went straight to our hotel room to get ready for the NeedToBreathe show.

Before the show, we walked around downtown and took pics and ate dinner. We stumbled upon this beauteous beaver statue outside of a restaurant and an impromptu photo sesh ensued.

We got to the Ryman around 7 for NeedToBreathe, which was AMAZING. Seriously guys, if you ever get a chance to see these boys in person, please go. They truly have a God-given gift.

S and I at the Ryman...so fun!

They played several of our fav songs and a couple of new ones too! One of my fav moments of the show was when they came out on stage and played a completely acoustic/unplugged version of "Valley of Tomorrow"; no mics, no speakers, just their voices and instruments. Literally gave me goosebumps...

Artsy looking picture of S

Friday morning, we got up and went to breakfast at this little bitty diner, 417 Union in downtown Nashville. So good!

Next, we hopped in the car and drove 20 minutes away to Hendersonville, TN to visit the grave of Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash. You see, S and I are HUGE fans of the "Man in Black", so we figured this was the perfect opportunity to pay our respects to (in our opinion) one of the greatest musicians/songwriters that ever lived.

In true Johnny Cash style, the gravesite was simple and modest; nothing flashy or crazy. Just the humble resting place of a legend and the lady he loved.

Next, we hopped back in the car and headed toward Memphis.


S and me at Sun Studio in Memphis


We started our afternoon in the Birthplace of Blues at Sun Studio, the sacred recording studio where legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins began their careers.

Sun Studio, Memphis, TN

Later that night, we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant in Memphis, Blues City Cafe. Listen folks, if you go to Memphis and don't eat here, then really you haven't gone to Memphis. Located right on Beale Street, it's truly in the heart of the city.

We devoured the stuffed mushrooms, fried catfish, tamales and homemade chili, french fries and buttery toast in true Memphian style.

Holy yum.

On that note, I'm going to go back to my desk and resume fantasizing about catfish and mushrooms. We're heading to Chicago for a pre-Christmas mini-vacay next month, so until then...

Peace, love and cholesterol.

Be blessed, lovelies-