Some Thanksgiving snaps

Some photos from Thanksgiving weekend:

 An unexpected braid in a pile of hair.

My sister Emily making her newly famous "Trifle" (a layered British dessert with cake, pudding, and pumpkin). I'll have to get her to share the recipe here.

 Elastic-wasted pants and a baggy top = necessary Thanksgiving attire.

Double checking those pumpkin pie directions. I'm no baker.

 Football snacks! My mom and her husband made quite a spread. Steve and I were on our way out the door to meet up with my sister for some shopping...but...oohhh, ok, we'll stay and watch some of the Arkansas game. You convinced us.

Fab cocktails at Fox and Hound Pub, our usual karaoke spot! I was a server there, back in the day....I much prefer this side of things.

How much is too much makeup to pack?


Ok, so obviously, I was pretty awful at taking blog-worthy photos while I was gone. I'll need to get the hang of documenting the holidays through blogging, as I didn't even have my blog this time last year!
Tell me how your week is going and feel free to share any holiday stories!

Most wonderful time of the year...

 How was your Thanksgiving?
Overall, my entire trip to Arkansas was great. I love being with my family over the holidays. It seems though, that my bad luck hasn't quite gone away, because my car decided to break down ON Thanksgiving (you might remember I wrote about spending far too much money to get repairs done on it just last week!). We were on the way to my sister's that morning to bake pumpkin pies. Being stranded on an exit ramp (in traffic) and emergency towing on a holiday was really not in the plan. Thankfully, the transmission shop where we had it towed was able to fix it by the end of the next day, even after telling me they didn't think they could even look at it until Monday! Whew! I was so thrilled. It actually turned out to be a relatively minor fix, but I am hoping the charges are going to be taken care of by the shop I used in Austin last week. I'll be putting my game face on when I go in there this week.

The rest of the weekend was filled with friend time, family time, a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at my grandma's house, the traditional cousin-gathering at Golden Corral (I don't know why we think a buffet is appropriate on Thanksgiving weekend, but we always go!), watching lots of football (and one Millionaire Matchmaker marathon at my sister's. Haha), tree decorating at my mom's, whipped cream vodka with hot cocoa (highly recommended for this holiday season!), Starbucks and political philosophizing with my dad, a little bit of shopping/browsing stores (but we avoided the Black Friday madness. Really not my thing), dinner at a Japanese steakhouse with a funny waiter on the hibachi, and overall bonding time with my sweet boyfriend.

Now begins one of my favorite times of the year. I am eager to begin my Christmas shopping and start thinking of fun ideas for everyone. I'm glad I'll be heading back up to Arkansas again so soon. Now, I just have to get through these three weeks of real life! I only wish I had some leftover pumpkin pie for breakfast...I love it cold.

Best friend

RIP Dawson. 1998 - 2011.

Best little mutt anyone could ask for. 

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. You can imagine why. 

I leave town to spend Thanksgiving with family tomorrow. It's going to a busy week, so I will plan on seeing you after the weekend. I hope you have a lovely holiday!

Thanks

With Thanksgiving coming up (my, how time flies), and with a lot of rough life-stuff going on lately, I wanted to compile a list of things I am truly grateful for. I do those " little things that make me smile" posts a lot, which often helps me to remember to appreciate the simple stuff that brightens my week, but here's a more indepth list. It still includes some of those small, simple treasures (they are important, too!), but also some of those bigger things that I really try not to take for granted.

I'm Thankful...

- for hot coffee and a long, cozy robe on cold mornings

-  to not be sick anymore after catching a long-lasting, strange virus a few weeks ago

- that my ankle is healed, whenever I think about how badly sprained it was earlier this year

- that I have always been able to be with my family over the holidays, each and every year thus far

- that I have an amazing man in my life, and that I didn't settle for anything less

- that my family still remains some of my best friends, and I know they always will

- for friends, new and old, who have humbled me with their loyalty

- for the nicest, coziest, coolest apartment I've ever lived in

- for my steady job, that for the first time in my life, more than pays just the bills

- that I have never forgotten how to be a kid and have some crazy-fun!

- fashion magazines, for the ultimate escape, inspiration, and decompression

- swimming pools and frozen drinks in the summer & fireplaces and hot cocoa in the winter

- pumpkin pie + whipped cream...lots of it (as my mom used to say, "would you like some pie with your whipped cream?")

- everyone who supports me as an actor, even when it's slow going and I want to give up

- music

-my lovely blog readers, of course!

So, my friends, what are you especially thankful for this year? What's been on your mind? I want to hear your list! :)

Holding on

All I want to do today is this:

But... I have to be productive today. I have to. It's been really hard to focus on anything for the past couple weeks, with all the negative stuff going on (namely, a very sick dog, car troubles - both of which also meant financial issues - some personal dramas, being sick myself for far too long, and now, movie roles I'm all-too-sure I didn't get. Etc. It just all keeps piling on.)
I've basically been a lazy lump all this week and done absolutely nothing (except maybe eat too much). It's getting old quick, and I hate it, but that motivation just isn't there. I really need to get back into the gym, as well. But today, I am at least going to focus on getting work done that should have probably been done last week, and tackling a few errands. It'll probably be good to get out.

Maybe I'll even put some make up on for the first time in 3 days (that might be a record for me).

I know this is all just a bad phase, and it will pass. But ohhhhh, I can not wait 'til it does.

Gear shifts

 While I'm still in shock by how much I had to pay in car repairs this morning, after having my car in the shop for a couple days, I must say, there is nothing like that first drive out of the lot after you know it's been all fixed up and running smoothly. The car feels great. I'm going to choose to focus on the peace of mind I now have, instead of the gigantic bill. Hopefully, this means I wont need to have anything major done in quite a long time. Everything should be in good shape now.

These last two weeks have kind of been full of unexpected woes. Life feels messy. I am looking for that light at the end of the tunnel and appreciating those I am lucky enough to have with me during the rough moments.

Tell me how your week is going!

Birthday Weekend

I wish I'd been more diligent about taking pictures over my birthday, but cest la vie. Here are a few highlights from the weekend:

Steve took me to PF Changs for a pre-birthday dinner Friday night. I WISH I could remember the name of this delicious coconut/lemon cocktail. I highly recommend it, if you're ever there. It's easy to recognize on their cocktail menu. We had a drink at the bar while we waited for our table, and then enjoyed a marinated lamb dish and shrimp with lobster sauce, paired with brown rice. I tried a pear Mojito with dinner, which was also quite good.

 

On Saturday (my actual birthday), we headed to Dallas for a day trip. My dad happened to be in town for business anyway, so we met up with him and his wife for a bit, and had a nice lunch together at Five Guys' hamburgers (my first time there! Very yummy). Steve and I spent the rest of the day exploring some of his old stomping grounds in the city, and browsing the beautiful (and large!) Galleria mall. Even though I think they should wait until after Thanksgiving, the mall was nicely decorated for Christmas, complete with a tree that stretched through all four stories of the building and was surrounded by an ice rink!  I got a kick out of browsing some of the very high end shops there, but my favorite part was going to The American Girl store. I have a huge collection of their stuff from when I was a child. For now, it's all safely packed away in my mom's attic for when I can pass it on to my little girl.

Dallas actually works alright as a day trip, but it was definitely a bit exhausting. Especially because we left so early in the morning. It felt great to just veg out on Sunday. Steve and I had breakfast in bed (strawberries, croissants, and Ruby-Red grapefruit mimosas) and watched "A Goofy Movie", something else nostalgic from when I was younger! The rest of the day was more of the same...movies and lounging around. Quite nice.

This Saturday, Steve and my friend Kady are throwing me a little belated party at Chuck E. Cheese. I can't think of a better place to be a kid again for a day, and forget how old I'm getting. ;)

And many more...

Happy Birthday to me (tomorrow)....


and to all you other Scorpios. xx

A moment

Ah, I have finally found a blogging-minute. I spent the morning buying groceries to replenish my sparse kitchen. I hadn't found the time to go since getting back into town on Sunday. The first shopping trip after being out of town always feels like an accomplishment. Then, one of my best girl friends invited me out for an early "birthday lunch" (my actual birthday is Saturday). We enjoyed some soup and salad at Olive Garden (ok, I also splurged on a birthday bellini...it was almost 1:00pm...that's after Noon, at least...), and then we went for lattes at Starbucks.

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing some character study for a film audition I have Monday. This could be a big opportunity for me, so I'm very excited. They want me to have a specific accent for the role, so I have been doing research to find good examples of the one I need to learn.

My play reading performance last night was a lot of fun, and I think it went quite well. I was very flattered to receive some nice compliments on my acting afterwards. I like that the event was professional, yet low key, and sort of like a little cocktail party that included a reading. I hope I'll get to do more in the future. Just having a "toe" back into the theatre world, really made me remember how much I love it. It's like home.

For now, I'm curling up in my "girl throne" with the rest of my soy latte and delving into this film script they've sent me. I love when I'm able to have access to the entire script before an audition, not just the one scene they want me to read. I happen to be mimicking Gwyneth's outfit above, coincidentally. Nothing better than a big, cozy sweater and a pair of boy shorts or undies to get comfy on a Fall day. I've added my trademark knee high socks to the mix, with an argyle pattern.

Hope everyone's having a lovely day. I am so glad the weekend is upon us!

Upward spiral

Busy busy busy busy busy......and enjoying the cooler weather.

Tell me about your week so far. xx

Craving

Yes, please.

I've been having cravings for croissants, strawberries, coffee, and grapefruit mimosas since last night. Maybe that will be a birthday present to myself this weekend.

Too much work to get done today...I'm struggling to get started. My mind is more focused on wishing I was in the photo above, and on the play reading my boyfriend and I are going to this evening. There are two plays this week, and my group performs tomorrow night. I thought it would be fun to go and support the other group, as well. Plus, I can't think of a much better combination than wine and theater. Except mimosas and croissants...with strawberries.

Dragging myself to work now...

Road trip: attempt #2

Ok, I'm a bit more "regrouped", I'd say, than I was yesterday. I'm finally off to Arkansas, and immediately onto Kansas City with my family. I will see you on Monday, hopefully with some recoverance of sanity. Have a great weekend!

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I wasn't even supposed to be here today...

I'm just gonna say it: this week has been absolute murder. I felt too sick to drive to Arkansas today when I woke up (this would be day 5 of being sick), and on top of that, my dog is suddenly really ill and we spent the whole morning at the vet with him. In fact, he's still there, while they run some tests.

Someone needs to bring me a latte and some sanity.

Little Things That Make Me Smile...

Later-than-usual post today. I've been running around trying to get all my work done before leaving town tomorrow morning, plus I had to squeeze in a run to the doctor, since I am really not feeling hardly any better after 4 days of being ill! Being sick already ruined Halloween, it'd be awful to have it ruin my cousin's wedding for me, too!
My doctor seems to think my symptoms point to a virus, but thankfully I've been hooked up with antibiotics just in case. I really don't want to be miserable during my whole trip. We'll see if the medication works, and if not, at least I've ruled out that possibility the it's something bacterial. Then it probably just means I need to let the virus run it's course....but, boy oh boy, do I hope these pills work.

This seems like a good time to concentrate on the little, simple, uncomplicated things that make me happy right now:

 Black nails. I think it's a "do" for Fall/Winter. What do you think?

 A seasonal snack: honey crisp apples in caramel sauce.

 Hot tea with a "honey spoon", brought back from Monticello in Virginia.

 Rediscovering old shoes, which make some pretty awesome Mary-Jane-like platform shoes for Fall. This is why I rarely throw anything away. ;)

I was a Halloween zombie, but not in a good way

I'm still mourning the fact that I missed Halloween. I rarely get sick, so the fact that it had to happen on one of my favorite days of the year is making it difficult to take.

Luckily, I can still look back on Friday night, when my boyfriend and I attended our friends' annual pumpkin carving party. I didn't carve a pumpkin this year, but it's always good fun to go and hang out with everyone, and enjoy a nice spread of Halloween food and drink. There was no shortage of talent among the pumpkin carvers, as well, and it was fun to see what everyone came up with.

Drink of choice for the night: Snakebites (Guinness and Hard Apple Cider)

 

My cold-weather, casual party wear

I'm still feeling quite under the weather, and aside from that being a real annoyance, I am driving to Arkansas on Thursday morning, and then up to Kansas City with with my family on Friday, for my cousin's wedding! I am really looking forward to it, but being sick during the entire trip is definitely not the goal. My body needs to get in gear!

Happy Halloween

...but not so happy for me....I'm really sick, and spending the day in bed. Halloween plans for tonight look like a no-go. It hit me hard last night, and I was hoping I felt better by today. No such luck. I'm definitely bummed! I had created a pretty awesome costume from stuff just lying around my closet, and was eager to show it off.

Some friends and I had plans to go downtown for some costumed bar-hopping. One of my girlfriends, who was supposed to go out with us tonight, is also sick. We've already decided that we should throw a "We Missed Halloween Party" in the next few weeks, complete with the costumes we didn't get to wear, plus Halloween-themed snacks and drinks.

What were you for Halloween? What did you get up to?
I'll be sure to post photos of the late Halloween party, if it happens. For now, here is a picture of Steve and I from last year:

Victoria and David Beckham - Halloween 2010

I wish I at least felt good enough to drown my sorrows in Halloween candy! I don't think my stomach would be up for that. This just isn't fair.
Regardless, hope you had a fun weekend and a great Halloween. xx

Leather and lace

I must say, this has felt like a good week. And I'm so ready for the weekend to begin and Halloween festivities to follow. I feel like the fact that it's Halloween-week, plus the fact that Fall weather has made an appearance again, warrants me trying out some more daring stuff, fashion-wise. I love coming up with things to force myself out of a rut.
The other night, the doorman at a bar complimented my outfit. "Thanks", I said.
"Wait, that is an outfit, right?"
"Um, yes?"
I was confused. I later realized he might have meant a costume. Granted, the outfit did look a tad 1920s inspired, but still. I didn't think it looked like a costume...at all. But at least if you're wearing something strange around Halloween, people will just chalk it up to the time of year. Ha. I quite enjoy getting weird looks and double takes from people anyway...to me, it means I've done something right.

Yesterday was basically a day off for me, so I threw on a new combination of clothing and headed out to enjoy the cloudy-cool day. I got some shopping done at Target and even ran into a couple friends while out and about. I also tried my first-ever soy latte, and was happy to find that I really enjoyed it.

Lace top and "leather" (fake) shorts, Forever 21. 

Black hooded sweater, Target. Wedges, Burlington Coat Factory. Tights, Halloween Express. 

Back view: I kinda love when it looks like the sweater is the only thing I'm wearing. Tee hee.

Sitting at the bar in the cafe after shopping. I love that my Target has a Starbucks!!  
Sunglasses, Burlington Coat Factory ($5.00!!)

I'm still totally in love with my new wedges. I can't get enough. I'll probably be horribly sick of them in a month from wearing them so much. Haha. But, we should all have at least one fashion love affair per season, don't you think?

Plus, I got a ton of double takes because of them yesterday. Score.

Enchanted

The weather has turned colder, the high temperature dropping about 20 degrees from yesterday. I'm pretty neurotic about watching the weather, so I expected it. A perfect change right before Halloween weekend, I'd say. It's completely cloudy today as well, but it actually feels great outside (it's not bitterly cold, just comfortably cool), so maybe I will try to get out for a bit. I'm also looking forward to the coziness of my apartment and some of the left over sweet potato soup I made last night. Isn't it funny how the cold makes just staying inside, and avoiding the weather altogether, feel different...better, even?

I usually know when the Summer is really starting to become Fall, before there is really a noticeable change in temperatures, because my skin tells me. After my shower, I'll throw on my clothes like usual, and suddenly my back or my legs will get stingy and itchy with dryness. Not enjoyable, but as soon as I slather on some lotion, it goes away. It's become that time of year to start doing that as soon as I step out of the shower.
I like to change up some of my beauty products this time of year anyway, to go along with the season. I'm kind of in love with the two new body lotions I got this week (I couldn't decide between them, so I bought both) and a new fragrance (I tend to prefer body sprays to heavier perfumes. Plus, they are way cheaper, and you don't feel so bad if you get tired of it and decide to go for something new).

1. St Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter (This has a really nice, calming scent; you really get a hint of the oatmeal. But it wont overpower if you're wearing a compatible fragrance along with it.)
 
2. bodycology body spray in Enchanted Forest (perfect for Halloween, eh? Hints of jasmine and nutmeg. Very interesting musky scent for the colder months, with a hint of sweet. Fell in love with it immediately.)

3. Vaseline Cocoa Butter* (This has petroleum jelly in it too. It's a heavier lotion, great for elbows, legs, etc. I'll probably be using this one primarily for my after-shower body lotion, where the St. Ives is perfect for daily hand lotion - which I apply about 15 times a day.)  
*Vaseline also makes this in a gel/body oil form. I tested it out at the store and it was absolutely amazing. It made my skin feel super silky and full of moisture. It'd be a tad heavy for a hand lotion most of the time, but it'd be amazing for areas like your legs because it'd also make them look shiny. In the end, I settled for the lotion because the gel was twice as expensive. Maybe next time. The bottle looked really cool, too, because of the gold-colored, bubbly gel inside.

I've gotten to where I primarily buy my beauty products at Walgreens or H.E.B. (here in Texas), because they just seem to have a wider selection than my usual  ol' Walmart. I used to go there just because it was a bit cheaper, but the other places have broadened my horizons a bit.

Tea or coffee?

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