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?