Bye Bye, Dallas

So the time has come that I have to say goodbye to my fair city of Dallas. Today marks my last weekend in this amazing city, though I don't think it's hit me quite yet that I'm leaving. I have a busy few weeks coming up still! I'm moving to Austin next weekend, Vegas the next, Raleigh the next, and will be in Austin permanently the following. PHEW!!! Talk about a busy July/August!

I really can't believe it's been two years since I moved here, either. I will always have a very fond place in my <3 for Dally and will surely be making many trips back (a lot of which I can attribute to my boyfriend still living here!)

So, goodbye Dallas. I'll be seeing you.

23

".. only comes once in a lifetime .. don't it just fly by wild and free .."

I know, I know .. the lovely Tim McGraw said "17" does, but I have to say that 23 did too. Oddly enough, it also went very slowly. Is that even possible? If it is, it happened.

Twenty-three was a hard year, but it was also a great year. I changed apartments, changed jobs, changed boyfriends, made new friends and was accepted to grad school. I'd say that is a lot of change in a year! A lot of good change, though.

It is hard to say what 24 will bring me, but I know that health, happiness and success are three things on my birthday wish list. Regardless of whether it's your birthday or not, I hope the same things for all of you out there, too.

xo -

E

Southbound 35

I am about to be Southbound 35 headed to Austin for the weekend -- soooo excited!! I hope that your weekend is as great as you want it to be. XOXO

$6 Dream Job

I'm sure some of you have heard of the guerrilla marketing genius that is Alec Brownstein. For everyone else who is clearly in hiding, he is behind the one-of-a-kind $6 Google Job Experiment.

This is the stuff dreams are made of, people. If you want it - go get it. And for him to be in advertising ... (sigh). This is brilliant.

Click the link - here - to see the video version.

Welcome Back

Welcome back, friends!!

It has been a while, but I am back and going to try my best to update much more frequently. So much has been going on lately that honestly for a while, I completely forgot about my blog. Sad face.

I am trying to figure out a new direction to take this blog. It has been such a mish mosh of what I'm thinking/feeling/loving/hating, and I have a few ideas for where I want it to go. So stay tuned until I figure all of that out.

So, without further adieu, here's what's on my mind this evening:

1. Modern Family

If you aren't watching, what the hell are you doing on Wednesday nights at 8 CT/9 ET?!?! I'm so serious. I have never wanted to cry (laughing), pee in my pants (laughing) or keel over from stomach pains (laughing) so much with one show. This is single handedly the BEST new show on television. Do I have you convinced yet? If not, watch full episodes on ABC.com or click here -- you'll thank me later. Also worth noting that they are re-airing the whole season again this summer. Yes please.

2. Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon

I was never one for drinking red wine -- it always seemed so strong, so tart and really 'heavy' (for lack of a better word.) Introduce: Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon. This is such a terrific wine, it actually needs no introduction. It has a hint of berries/sweetness at the end, so it leaves your taste buds wanting more. It has the taste of a white, dessert wine yet it has all of the body of a normal Cab. Perfection. I don't think anyone does it better than them. What's even better is that the Albertson's in my neighborhood sells it for $8.99 (normal retail is around $12.00-$13.00). Yes. Under $10.00 for a wonderful beverage. Need I say more?

3. The Pioneer Woman (blog)

Ever just eaten lunch and been incredibly full but then you looked at pictures of your favorite food and now you're ravenous? Well, ThePioneerWoman.com will have that effect on you. Not only does she look like a phenomenal cook, but she is one hell of a photographer. She has step-by-step picture instructions of how to make her delectable treats, and lets just say I might not cook any of it (because I'm not a great chef) but I love pretending to learn. Food Porn. That is the best way of describing her site.

4. Radio Contests

I feel like I'm reliving my late middle school/early high school days. I have become completely obsessed with trying to win contests on the radio. I won tickets to a concert last spring and I'm not sure if there is something in the air, but I can't give it up trying. I have been caller #3, #14, #28, #32 (winner is caller #33 .. damnit!!) I am determined to win. I will let y'all know as soon as I do (notice I am not saying IF.)

5. Fedoras

Laugh all you want, but I have really gotten into this lately. Right now I'm only sporting it with swimwear or when I'm lounging, but it is so multipurpose. A. It protects you from unwanted sunrays B. Ensures that your head does not get burnt (because who wants to use sunscreen on your head) C. Looks so cute D. Looks so cute (I realize I repeated myself.)

I'm also off to Austin this weekend to look for an apartment to move into in August, and to overall have a good time. I am so excited!! I am sure I'll have plenty to write about after that.

Well anyway, that's all for now. So happy to have you back (if any of you still check in) :)

Cozumel (In 6 Pictures or Less)

.. and in this moment, I am happy.

Realizations.

I realize I haven't blogged in a long time -- I'm sorry! So much going on and not enough time to even think about the internet after work, much less blogging.

A couple of things:

1. I'm off to Mexico tomorrow. I have never been and am so excited. Will definitely post pictures upon returning to "the states."
2. Isn't it funny how realizations come to you out of the clear blue? You just realize how much better you are without someone or something and you wonder how you ever thought you were good with it? Had a few of these epiphanies lately.

Anyway -- off work and onto packing.

RomCom

I am not the biggest fan of romantic comedies. Sure, they are fairly funny and entertaining, but I typically find them extremely cliche and played out. Sure, it'd be ideal to meet the love of your life on top of the Empire State Building or "accidentally" get married in Las Vegas after a crazy night only to find out that you "accidentally" married the one. But really, people -- this stuff does not EVER in a million years happen.

Even though I seem like a cynic, I do love a good romantic moment every so often. Below are a few of my personal favorites.

Love Actually

This has to be my absolute favorite scene in the movie -- that simple, little sentence is so moving. A real tear jerker, even to the biggest pessimist (i.e. me.)

The Notebook

Honestly, who can forget when Allie and Noah reunite after all of those years apart? Their summer fling blossomed into a beautiful romance. This is hands down one of the ONLY chick flicks that has ever made me become hysterical.

Jerry Maguire
"You complete me." and "You had me at hello."
C'mon, need I say more? Though they might be cheesy, they are still pretty damn cute.

What's your favorite romantic scene from a movie?

Drugstore Finds

As some of you may know, I am a BIG fan of pampering myself. Every girl should be! A little pedicure, massage, etc. never hurt anybody. However, my advertising salary is not very conducive to said pampering, so besides my monthly (or so) trip to get my toes 'did', I have to find ways to make it work (a la Tim Gunn.) So behold, my list of drugstore must-have's to make you feel fabulous:

• Blistex Medicated Lip Balm -- This little slice of heaven has been my absolute staple since age 15 (ask my mom.) I don't go anywhere without it. It runs about $1.25 (or less!) at drugstores and even has SPF 15 (hello, gorgeous!)

• CoverGirl Perfect Point Eyeliner (Shown in Espresso -- I recommend Onyx Black) -- Again, another must-have in my repertoire. I rarely leave home without this bad boy. It runs right under $7 and I personally think it works better than most high-end eyeliners.

• St. Ives Apricot Scrub -- I know each and everyone of you out there have tried this at some point in your life, and how can you NOT love it?! It feels like I'm getting a facial and always leaves my skin moisturized and glowing. I think this amazingness runs around $5.

• Tweezerman (Slant Tweezers - shown in pink) -- Pure perfection. No need to get an eyebrow wax, these can grasp even the tiniest of hairs and remove without even a flinch (unless you get your skin, which I typically do.) I've seen this cutie for around $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

What are some of your favorite drugstore finds?

Let it snow ..

It is snowing in Dallas! And I'm not just talking a flake here or two. Ground sticking, freezing cold, huge flakes! It is beautiful, but I'm worried about people driving on this. Texas drivers aren't the best to begin with (everyone thinks they are Jeff Gordon), and throw in some wacky weather, and the people drive like they're nuts!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but just remember friends -- it gets to be over 100 degrees in the summer here!

Anyway, I'm still at work now, but hope to be able to enjoy this powder (safely!) from my apartment this evening :)