Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Jennifer. Lawrence.


This girl ROCKS. The absolute opposite of a lame Kristen Stewart

Jezebel did a piece on why we all want Jennifer Lawrence as our BFF and they nailed it.

Here is another reason:


Long live the socially eccentric!

xoxo


Friday, February 22, 2013

Retreat

This looks luxurious...but add a cocktail and make sure it is PRIVATE.

Do you remember the scene in Date Night where Tina Fey says her fantasy is to have a hotel room all by herself? And to just be alone? I've been having that fantasy lately.

This was me at a party this past weekend. Thanks to the Dads and Erin there to help me corral my kid. This will also be me tomorrow at a birthday party. Apologies in advance.

I complain a lot. My kid is adorable and I love him to pieces. But why does he cry when he eats? And why does he hit me in the face with his spoon?

I am aware that I only have one kid. And what scares the bejesus out of me is when we think about having two. I know I want another, M isn't so sure. I don't completely blame him, F is WILD. I picked him up from daycare yesterday and his teachers were just shaking their heads. I must be doing this wrong. I discipline him (not when we travel but at home we are pretty strict) but he either completely loses it when I say No or giggles. Again, I think I'm doing this wrong. The one thing that makes me feel sane is other moms. Moms, please tell me your almost 2 year old boys are certifiably nuts.

Mom friends....a trip with you ladies is a close 2nd place. Doesn't this look fabulous?

But my kiddo aside I really would love a mini getaway. Yes, girl weekends are amazing and I could use about 20 of those but that means I have to shower, wear makeup, be silly, and take pictures. These are all things I absolutely enjoy but lately I've been leaning towards alone time.

Sunrise at Pawleys, my favorite time to sneak out of the house and take pictures....

I want a weekend in a beach/lake/mountain house just by myself. The first destination in my mind is always Pawleys. It would need a first floor master that has a view of the ocean and a big fluffy bed.


 TV would be necessary as well as a big bathtub preferably with jacuzzi jets. We don't have a big bath in this house and I miss taking huge bubble baths (with wine) sooooo much.


I would leave after work on a Thursday and stay until Sunday morning. We all know I'm no chef but there are about 3 things I can make. I would probably go eat at Franks Outback, Hacienda, or somewhere at the Hammock Shops for lunch...have a few glasses of white wine and then settle back into the house for the afternoon. I would go for a run in the morning and then read/sleep/snack/drink/swim on the beach or porch the rest of the day.

This isn't too much to ask right? And speaking of being alone, have you ever been truly alone? No devices, no phones/tv/people? The only places I have ever experienced this is 1. on an Outward Bound Course solo in Baja California. 24 hours alone in the desert on an island is very therapeutic and 2. Rockbrook Camp. There are so many spots at camp you can walk/hike to and just be alone. 

Bed, pool, fireplace, multiple plasmas....ahhhhhh

What do you think? Do we need alone time? Is it too much to ask? If I have more children am I going to end up like the Ashley Judd in Ya Ya Sisterhood and runaway to a hotel???

xoxo
Me alone in Zurich? Yes please

Lake house for 1? Yes please

Solitude

Retreat in Napa? Okay, this would probably be more fun with friends but still....

Again, all these places would be amazing with friends...but still

Poolside at Maison Cowart in Provence.....oh please take me back!!!!! Dad cooking lunch, family drinking Rose by pool...

Seriously.....

Las Ventanas in Cabo....on my wish list

Ahhhhh

All images via Pinterest except my three personal ones. I think giving image credit to Pinterest is horseshit b/c nobody is really getting credit but it gives me complete anxiety to try to track it all down. So there.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Soaking up Spotify


I have always been a music junkie. Those of you old TCR friends probably remember when I used to write my ever engaging column in the entertainment section for newly released music. What? You don't remember my scintillating review of the Squirrel Nut Zippers?  Moving on. I went to visit my brother in Charleston for Spring Break in 1994 (maybe 95) and all Beau listened to was the Wave..... I immediately fell in love with every band on there. That was my first taste of Phish, Widespread, Drivin N Cryin, Dave Matthews..etc. My Dad gave me Dave tickets that Christmas and I remember none of my friends knew who he was yet so I took my Dad! This is also the same awesome Dad that dropped my friend Meg and I at a Phish Concert in Winston Salem in 1995. He and his buddy George couldn't stop laughing at their own joke of calling us Groupers. Get it? We were by far the best smelling ladies in there.

Show at Be Here Now (via Flickr)


Asheville had a great music scene when I was in High School, and it doesn't even compare to what they have going on now. There was a place called Be Here Now and I saw Luscious Jackson, Drivin N Cryin, Uncle Mingo, Jump Little Children, Vertical Horizon, Blue Rags, Jupiter Coyote,  the Radiators.....the list goes on and on. My friends and I would drive up there and dance our hearts out and then trek back to South Asheville (Arden) high only off the endorphins from dancing. It was the best.




In College I begged my parents to buy me the Iomega external CD burner so I could make mixes...and burn I did. We had dial up so I had to beg my roomie Elie to not use the phone at night so I could select 3 or 4 songs from Napster to download overnight. But alas, someone would drunk dial our apartment and knock me off. (You guys know who you are) We also got to see lots of great music at school, I swear the Blue Dogs or Jupiter Coyote were playing every other cocktail.

Remember these CD's? These were the absolute best! My friend Taylor and I would make our own compilations of the best from each version.


These days I don't make it to many concerts...the last two I went to were Jimmy Buffett and James Taylor (makes me sound old right?) but they were both great shows. To cure my music love these days I have turned to Spotify.

I saw people's status updates showing what they are listening to on facebook so I finally checked it out..(you can turn that feature off especially if you don't want people to know you are listening to slow jamz from the 90's). I work from home a lot so I love to have music running in the background. The best part is you can subscribe to someone else's mixes or you can create your own and stream it all you want! I did upgrade to the Premium version (a whopping $10/month) so I can stream all the mixes at the gym and not have commercials.

So, are you on Spotify? What are your favorite bands right now? I have a ton listed, you can check out either "Kat Favorites" (still adding to this daily) or if it is Monday or Wednesday you can bet $$ I'm listening to "Monday Morning Reports" Mix. As far as new-to-me discoveries I'm totally digging Lord Huron. Maybe M will decide his company needs to sponsor a trip for us to go to SXSW.

xoxo




Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

M and I gave each other gifts....

 And I got him this card...

And he got me this one..

Enjoy getting laid tonight!

xo

Friday, February 8, 2013

Please Hubby, Don't Send me Flowers!

Flower perfection. But don't order this...will cost $$$$$$.


Please don't have flowers delivered M!!! For the rest of you, send away!
But since we like to stick to the budget in our house, I am pleading with my husband to NOT send me flowers.

Valentine's Day is the biggest rip-off when it comes to roses. Feast your eyes on this.


Includes Oreos?? Well for Fucks sake I should order it right?

Plus, who likes red roses? They remind me of Alice in Wonderland and American Beauty. As far as roses are concerned only pastels in this house. And no purple...WTF. And besides, roses aren't even my favorite...they just happen to be cheap. 
My absolute favorites are peonies and hydrangeas (see below Wedding bouquet) So if you really want to knock my panties off grab some that look like this.


Save yourself the trouble and embarrassment of the ugliest vase imaginable and do the following:
1. Go to Fresh Market and get a dozen roses for $7.99. They might mark them up to $9.99 for the holiday. Big deal. Or really impress me with some Hydrangeas and Peonies. But white roses are fine sweetie.


2. Go pick up your significant other's favorite take-out. I would like 2 spicy crunchy tuna rolls thank you.

3. Grab a package of the vanilla birthday cake Oreos from Harris Teeter. (The ones on the left M)


DONE. 
You may be asking where is the alcohol?? No worries, we have plenty.


xoxo



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Prayer Request


I am very blessed by my network of Mom friends here in Charlotte. I have met so many wonderful families and adorable kids and I feel so lucky that F is going to grow up surrounded by such great people.

One of these children is having surgery today at Duke and I wanted to post a few prayers.  If you come across this post today please say a prayer for Banks Buckner.

Thank you.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant Banks in her suffering, and bless the means made use of for her cure. Fill her heart with confidence that, though at times she may be afraid, she yet may put her trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Strengthen your servant Banks, O God, to do what she has to do and bear what she has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, she may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health; Comfort and relieve your sick servant Banks, and give our power of healing to those who minister to her needs, that she may be strengthened in her weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen



xoxo

Friday, February 1, 2013

Super Bowl Sunday!

I kind of love Ray Lewis. I know I know...but still.

Usual gameday attire for me. (This was back in December 2009 when the Saints were killing it)

Well, the Saints aren't playing this weekend but the game is in their city! I'll be wearing my Black & Gold to a friend's Super Bowl party Sunday but until then here is something hilarious I found off Pinterest (Because apparently I am too lazy to blog original content this week) Fail me. These are a little out of date but still quite funny.


Go Ravens!

xo