Finding Balance

The other day a friend said to me, “sometimes when you’re slacking in one place, it means your kicking ass in another place!”  While I’m sad that my productivity with this space seems to be like a jolting roller coaster, I’m happy to have been dedicating much of my time to my job.  It’s a job that I don’t have to “work” everyday.  You know the saying, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”, that’s what I’m getting at here.  I never complain or reluctantly go to work, whether it’s at 8 a.m. (okay, sometimes I’m reluctant at 8 a.m. but that’s only because I hate mornings) or 7 p.m. or weekends for a game.  I genuinely love working in sports communications.  In addition to the wonderful people I work with, I love the relationships that I’ve built with the coaches, athletes, and media that walk through our doors on a daily basis.

With that though, it’s sometimes hard to find that work/life balance or the time to dedicate to other hobbies. Now that I won’t have to worry about school work on top of my job (I graduated with my Master’s last week. YAY!), I hope to be able to dedicate the limited free time I have to other hobbies I enjoy. 

In the last few months I have really made working out a staple in my routine.  I have found classes and exercises that work for me and I am loving the results.

I want to blog more.  It’s usually on the back of my mind, but finding the time or the ideas in order to produce quality content is not always there. 

I want to read more.  The amount of books I have on my “to read” list are piling up so quickly and I’ve only read two so far this year. 

And most importantly, I want to dedicate time to my friends and family. I don’t live close to most of them, so finding time to catch up and face time is really important to me. 

So here’s to finding that balance, while continuing to work my tail off for a job I love.

What I'm Reading | The Royal We

When I first saw the book The Royal We I immediately fell in love with the cover.  I'm guilty of judging books by their cover.  I'm definitely a sucker for buying things based on their packaging rather than the actual quality of the product, which I blame on my marketing background.  Luckily for me, the cover lived up to the pages inside.

I brought this book to Europe with me with every intention of having time to read it while traveling from city to city, but that didn't happen.  I didn't even open the book until I was sitting on the plane heading home.  Right from the beginning, I was hooked.

As someone who fell in love with London a few years ago and is fascinated with the Royal Family, this was such a fun book to read.  It resembles a lot of Will and Kate's relationship in a fictional sense and if Kate had been American.  The prologue hints at the ending, but it was great to see how the story unfolded throughout the fun, loving, ups and downs of the relationship (& friendships) you couldn't help but root for.

This book is perfect for any London lover, England enthusiast, or girl who has a serious fairy tale complex.  I would love to read a sequel, too!

Cheers!

Apartment Tour | Athens, Georgia

I've always loved interior design and even thought I wanted that to be my career circa middle school.  House/Apartment Tour posts & pins are honestly some of my favorite because I love to see how people design their space and draw inspiration from things I like. My Interior Style Board on Pinterest is probably the one I pin to the most.

Since living on my own in Louisiana and now Georgia, I've learned that interior decorating takes time.  And that it's worth the time it takes to get everything just right, even if it is a continuous work in progress.

I love my apartment in Athens.  It's a studio, but the layout doesn't make it feel like you're always in the same room and I love the high ceilings.  I have a balcony that has a gorgeous view of the pool and a little bit of Downtown.

Since moving in, I've rearranged and moved things throughout the apartment.  I was overwhelmed at first because I wanted everything to be perfect, but didn't want to rush into anything I wasn't 100% sure I loved.  I've waited a year to post this because I always felt like my bedroom was incomplete.  I still think I need something over my bed, but the recent addition of my state prints adds a little more when you're looking in that direction so I don't feel like it's as incomplete as I did before.  Am I making sense?

So, without further ado… my apartment in Athens, Georgia:

 

 

In between my bedroom and bathroom is my walk in closet/washer & dryer area, but I didn't think pics were necessary.  I also realize that these pictures don't show the view from my bed, which really only left out the pin-able map on my wall.  I love seeing and reflecting on the different places I've been/experienced.

LIVING ROOM:
painting in gallery wall :: DIY, inspired by Made by Girl/ Cocoa and Hearts
Shelving: Hobby Lobby
Chevron Vase: Walmart
Leopard Pillows: Etsy
Radiant Orchid Pillows: Etsy
Gold Pillows: I can't find them, but most likely an easy shop.
Plant: Hobby Lobby
TV Stand: Ikea
Painting above couch: DIY
Spike Mirror: Hobby Lobby
Bar Cart: Ikea Hack
Framed Print: DIY, inspired by
State Prints: Etsy
Pineapple bookends: Hobby Lobby
Faux Deer Mount: Etsy

BEDROOM:
Dalmatian Pillow: Etsy
Black Euro Pillows: Bed Bath and Beyond
Monogram Pillow: Chaotic Creations
Mirror: Hobby Lobby

KITCHEN:
Dish Towels: Disney World

BATHROOM:
Shower Curtain: Bed Bath and Beyond
Mirror Tray: Hobby Lobby
Frames: Ikea (I collected all of those bags over the years)

If there's something you see, that I haven't mentioned or linked, let me know and I'll try to figure out where I got it! :)

One Year in the Classic City

This week I'm celebrating one whole year in the Classic City!

Since the first time I drove through the Athens city limits I knew it was a place I needed to be.  I was visiting Atlanta for the weekend and decided to drive east to the University of Georgia.  I remember walking through North Campus and down Sanford Drive to the stadium in complete awe.  The campus was beautiful with its early fall colors and majestic buildings!  The rich character and small-town feel of Downtown Athens immediately had me hooked.  The atmosphere on a September Friday before gameday is something that screams pride and excitement.  I knew right then and there that Athens, Georgia is a special place.

About 8 months later it was official that I'd be a Georgia Bulldog and 3 months after that I was moving into my apartment in Athens.  Less than a year after visiting Athens for the first time, I was calling it home.  And today I'm still so grateful and feel blessed that I get to live here.  That I get to be a Georgia Bulldog!  I have completely fallen in love with this town.  The pride engulfed in those who love the Dawgs.  The atmosphere on Saturdays throughout the fall.  The glow of the Christmas lights through downtown during the winter.  The diversity and originality of the many restaurants that make up the food scene downtown.  Athens, Georgia is a treasure.

Since the moment I stepped foot in Athens almost 2 years ago I longed to be a part of the culture that surrounded The Classic City.  I'm grateful for the path I took to arrive in Athens.  This year has been hard and challenging.  I am away from my family and close friends that I miss on a daily basis.  I also had to get through an immense loss mostly on my own.  There's still immeasurable heartache and struggle after the dust settles.  But this year has also been so fun and rewarding.  I've grown and learned  an incredible amount this year- about myself, about life, and about what I want for my future.  And I can honestly say that Athens has become home.  I have a love for this place that makes me smile from ear to ear.  Thanks for a great year, Athens, I love you!

A Football Fix

Football is back, y'all!!!! Okay so maybe not games and tailgating, just yet, but camps have started so football has started.  The minute football ends in January/ February I'm already counting down the days until it's back!  Signing Day, the Draft, and Media Days help with that a bit, but there's nothing like football season.  Am I right?  During the off-season, I need multiple football fixes so here's my list of Movies/TV shows that can give you that Football Fix and will definitely get you ready for the season!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS // As if Tim Riggins isn't enough to watch the show, the fact that it centers around a town so consumed in football is reason enough for me.  If you like drama and football in any capacity, Friday Night Lights needs to be on your Netflix "Recently Watched" list, like yesterday.  Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

REMEMBER THE TITANS // cause duh

WE ARE MARSHALL //

WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL // the newest football movie that's already made its way to the top of my list!

THE BLIND SIDE //

DRAFT DAY //

In addition to watching these you can get out and go watch some football practices or play a few games for yourself and then you can start preparing for your fantasy draft!!!

You can bet that I've already watched at least half of these!  I may explode with excitement for the season soon!  Just 5 more weeks!

What do you do to get your "Football Fix"?  Is there a movie I'm missing?

Things I Miss About The North

Since I've lived in the south people will ask me what I miss about the north besides my family and friends.  For a while this question really stumped me.  I really couldn't think of much.  Turns out when I had the chance to think about it, I do miss a few things about the north, most of which revolves around food, which is kind of embarrassing.  But here it is, the things I miss about the north:I miss having a plethora of pizzerias to choose from.  Domino's, Papa John's or whatever other pizza chains there are don't count.  Pizzerias are unique and on a whole different level than chain pizza.  And pretty much everything I just said about pizza applies to bagels too.  Biscuits and croissants are not an accurate substitute for bagels.  How are breakfast sandwiches not a thing in the south?

Italian restaurants (also part of those pizzerias and Olive Garden doesn't count), Italian bakeries, Italian deli markets.  My mom knows how much I love Italian cookies and how much I miss them that she sent me a box of my favorites for my birthday last year! Wawa is the place you go for a plethora of snacks, drinks, and built-to-order sandwiches.  It's typically a place we'd go before a road trip or when we're headed to the beach or really, anytime!  It's easy and delicious.  I love a great sandwich & now they even have chipotle mayo! YUM!  There is nothing (that I've encountered) like WaWa in the south.

Diners are a the type of restaurant where you can get whatever you want and they're typically open all hours of the night.  You're drunk and want breakfast at 2 am, diner.  You want lunch at 9 am, diner.  You want breakfast for dinner, diner.  Diners are relaxed, casual and typically have similar atmospheres and of course a counter to sit at!  They're typically not a chain, but locally owned.

And this may be crazy, but I missed snow!  Just a little bit, though.  I know that if I had as much snow as they did up north this past winter and last I'd be sooo sick of it.  There was a snow storm the weekend I moved last year and I haven't seen that magical white stuff since.  But more importantly, I miss skiing.  This was the second season that I haven't skiied and it's really weird for me.  I'm realizing I'm going to have to plan trips in order to ski again, instead of impromptu trips to the mountains on the weekends.

Even when living in PA I could get to the beach in an hour or less.  Some beaches were further, but day trips to the beach were very frequent.  This is the furthest inland I've ever lived and no beach access isn't good for the water-loving soul.  I need the sound of the ocean and sand between my toes during the summer months.  I'm going through a bit of withdraw, especially since I only got to spend two days at the Jersey Shore this summer, which is unheard of!

Do you have favorite things about the north?

All Dogs Go To Heaven

On July 15th, my home as I know it changed forever.  They say "all dogs go to heaven" but I just wish it didn't have to happen so soon.

About three weeks ago we got the devastating news that Maverick had tumors covering his liver and spleen and his prognosis was not good.  The vet even said surgery wouldn't give him much time.  I flew home that weekend to make sure he knew how much I loved him.  I had plans to come home two weeks after that but couldn't risk it and I'm so glad I did.  We did all of his favorite things with him like taking him on the boat, on long walks in the park and swimming in pool.  Maverick swims in the pool everyday and floats on the raft like he's the king.  We had such a great weekend.

Throughout the next 2 weeks he had good days and bad days but ultimately grew uncomfortable.  Maverick passed away on July 15, 2015, just 3 months after his seventh birthday!

He loved to cuddle in the blankets and suck on his stuffed animals.  He loved to eat ice and peeled apples while he ate them like he was a human.  He slept on the vents on the cold floor and loved to snuggle up close in bed so you could share the pillow.  He knew the tricks that would get him a treat and did them without being prompted.  If you weren't paying the slightest bit of attention to him, he would sit there and put his paw in your lap to make sure you noticed him and to get you to scratch behind his ears.  The minute you stopped he'd look at you like "umm you're not done!".  If everyone was in the kitchen, he'd lay in the middle of floor just to be near everyone.  He liked to sit on a seat in the car and didn't mind trying to share.  He was a dog that thought he was a human and we treated him as such.

From the moment we brought him home he fit in our family like a glove.  Going home will be different without his warm, enthusiastic welcome.  He would get so excited and make sweet whimpering noises that we called the "crying hello".  He couldn't control himself- he was so happy to see the ones he loved when they walked in the door (not everyone got the crying hello)!  It will be different without him snuggling up on the couch and creeping closer and closer until he's laying on top of you.  It's going to be different without him begging for a walk and stretching by the door the second you pull out your sneakers.  Home is going to be different without him there.

I'll love you forever, Maverick.  You were the best dog I've ever known.  Thank you for always being a cuddly, sweet and warm friend.  I'll miss you!

Pride in the SEC

There is nothing ​that I've experienced ​in sports media that compares to the 4 day event of SEC Football Media Days.

The amount of media. The hype. The craze. The flashing lights. The screaming fans. ​It's really a skeptical like no other.

Two years ago I ​was invited to attend ​SEC​ ​M​edia ​D​ays without any affiliation to the conference. I built a relationship with someone who worked there and they offered me an opportunity to volunteer. As someone who was desperately looking to find her way into the industry I jumped at the opportunity. ​The experience immensely​ changed my career.​ And two years later I'm well on my way to the career I've always wanted.​ But that's a story for a different day.

During ​SEC​ ​M​edia ​D​ays I (among other students from schools across the conference) was invited to ​speak with ​Commissionor Greg Sankey​ in a small group setting in his​ ​presidential suite​ at the hotel. Listening to him talk was amazing. As a communications and public relations professional I love hearing people's stories. Hearing his was even better. We heard him talk about the chances he took, the opportunities he took advantage of and ​his emphasis ​in the importance of building relationships. He recommended books for us to read and thanked us for assisting in the production of the event.

As I sat there and took it all in, I realized the pride that beams from him as he talks about the conference. I recognized it because it's the same pride I knew I wanted to be a part of long before ever stepping foot on SEC territory. It's the pride that's felt for a team, a school, the conference as whole. The idea that if it can't be my team, I want it to be a team we're, in a way, associated with. He loves the SEC for the pride it brings among the fans​ and honestly, I do too​. Fans root for the ​SEC​. People chant S-E-C at games and championships for teams that aren't theirs. The SEC as a whole is a community larger than that of just one of its 14 member institutions. It's the greatest conference in college athletics. And as I paraphrase Commissioner Sankey from his opening remarks at the beginning of the week, as a conference we want to be scholars first, champions second.

In all, people want to be a part of the greatness that is the Southeastern Conference. I, for sure, am proud to be!

EURO TRIP 2015 | Day 7: My Birth Place

For 25 years I've been hearing about the place I was born.  My parents have told countless stories of their life in Germany- where they lived, their military lifestyle, the friends who became family, the travels they went on.  I've heard about all of this anxiously waiting for the day I could experience it for myself and fully visualize their stories.  Although this part of the trip is not as "touristy" as the rest, it was some of my favorite.

My parents started dating in high school, and a few years later when my dad was graduating from West Point and my mom from Rutgers, they put Germany at the top of their list of places to get stationed.  My parents got married in August 1987 and left for Germany in September.  Nearly three years later, in April of 1990, I was born.

Throughout their time in Germany my dad worked at the United States Military base in Hanau- not too far outside of Frankfurt.  My dad showed us the base, which has since become something else but the buildings are the same.  He showed us the buildings he and his friends that we know worked in and where the tanks were kept and re-told stories of working on the base.  My parents told us about how my mom and her friend used to drive around the bank truck for the soldiers to gather their checks and exchange money.

We then walked through the town of Hanau and to the Marktplatz, which is a market in the center of town where they sell tons of fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc.  They also have food stands/trucks.  In the center of the Marktplatz is a statue of the Grimm Brothers, who are famous for writing folk and fairy tales.

After visiting Hanau we headed to Hammersbach, which is the town my parents lived in and the born where I was born.  This was very surreal.  The town is like most German towns with houses pretty close together, narrow roads, and separated from the next with lots of fields and meadows.  Up the street from their old house was an arch that was symbolic of the town.

There is a bar/restaurant that my parents and their friends constantly talk about.  They spent many nights there and always brought their visitors.  They tried to take us there and once we arrived realized that it isn't the same.  The outside looked the same, the inside had a few changes, but the ownership and menu and overall feel (they said) had changed.  They were so upset!

In all, it was a wonderful day exploring the town my parents lived in and where I came into the world.  It was such a unique thing for me and I loved it!!