live it - getaway

I have had a rough start to 2014 and never did I need a beach vacation more than I did this month! I was able to spend Memorial Day weekend in Florida for a girl's reunion weekend and it was SO lovely! I have known these girls since my freshmen year of college (...a very long time ago) and I haven't seen them in two years, this trip was overdue.

Coming from Washington D.C., Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale(ish) and NASHVILLE :)we all met up in Panama City Beach, FL for our getaway adventure. Waking up at 3:30 a.m. to catch my flight (shout out to the best roommate who drove me to the airport at 4 a.m.!) was not fun, but it was definitely worth it. I was the last to arrive, so we went right from the airport to the beach and after our driver (cough- Kayla) nearly ran over a cyclist, we made it to the white sand and gorgeous blue water. I forgot how perfect Florida beaches are on a sunny day!

It was so awesome to spend time with these girls again. I am so thankful for the friendships that can pick right back up, even if you haven't been around each other in a while. There were four of us that met up and we really couldn't be more different from one another. Britt (the other one) is super beachy, has a natural chill/beach style I wish I could pull off, Kayla sports a sweet Alabama accent, loves football and never wears the same outfit twice (<-impressive!), Beach is a southern business lady with heels, pearls and monogrammed everything, super tan and always put together, then there is me- the only one who had vintage granny sandals instead of flip-flops at the beach and searched for weeks for a high waist bikini (not-so-awesome tan lines).

Even though we are so different and when we drove along the coast with windows down, blaring country music (ironic the one from Nashville doesn't really listen to country) it was very apparent, but we just get one another on a rare level. These are girls that I don't have to try around, they just get me. Maybe it is because all of us have lived together at one point, but there is not one question or topic we don't cover or ask, nothing is held back even to the most blunt of statements. The rawness, realness of our friendship is so refreshing and rare.

Nearly running over pedestrians, turning down movie requests, wasp stings, observing the amount of germs living on money, staying in sketchy hotel motel holiday inns, exploring small beach towns, singing songs about treading water like an egg beater, late night chats about past, present and future boys, running near-marathons in airports, can't wait for the next reunion.

live it - end of an era

(arriving for the last time at my family's Grass Lake home.)

I vividly remember the phone call I received a few months ago from my mom. It was something I never ever expected to hear from her, "We are going to sell the house." As silly as this may seem, I was devastated. Growing up, we moved around roughly every two years and this place felt like our first real home. I always thought my parents would stay at that house forever and it didn't seem real. I loved our fireplace, our forest, our barns, what were they thinking?!

Sure enough, someone fell in love and purchased my utopia a few months later. I traveled to Michigan this weekend to help my parents move from our family home of 14 years. Though I moved out many years ago for college, we built this place and it always felt like it was my home no matter where I lived. It felt strange when I arrived this time and walked into a mostly packed and more empty house. It was even more strange when a few minutes later I met the excited new buyers who were around my age.

As a family, we spent countless Saturdays working on the land around our home, clearing brush, raking leaves, mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and it finally had turned into a beautiful piece of land. My last afternoon there, I walked the property with my dad, ran into the house taking one last mental picture of each room and then drove down the long driveway for the last time.

Recently, I have come to realize that stuff, is just stuff. Though we may get super attached to things, they are just blessings that may only be with us for a season. I am so grateful we had that house for the time that we did and I am excited for the new adventure that my parents are on now. Their new home is lovely, tons of sunshiny windows and lush green fields, it is just what they needed and they will make this new home just as cozy.

(what I woke up to each morning.)

(that's my mama!)

(all the effort to move that mattress and it was brought to the wrong bed.)

The best part of the trip was seeing all of my friends and family. There is something so refreshing about surrounding yourself with people who get you completely and love you despite all of your issues. There is never a dull moment in my family, trying to catch runaway chickens and runaway dogs, digging up baby trees to start our new forest, bonfires and spontaneous parties, just laughing until we cry (thanks for that trait mom), it was an incredible weekend and a reminder of what actually matters. I came back to Nashville feeling blessed for the time I had with them and with a deeper sense of Nashville being my home (...at least for now!).

(Their new driveway and start of the new adventure!)

wear it - Denim Denim dooo it

Thank goodness it's finally warm outside! To celebrate, I broke another rule, denim on denim AND black shoes after Easter.

Denim Top- My new blue denim top is one of my favorites! For some reason, I like this one buttoned all the way up to the top. If you don't feel completely comfortable with the 90's tie-up style, then you can always tie a lower knot or wear even higher waist shorts/jeans. (I feel like this look can be super classy- but easily trashy, so maybe ask a friend to tell you the honest truth, "Is this way too much belly? I'm not trying to be Britney Spears," is a good way to phrase it.)

Denim Shorts- Black denim shorts, high waist, really cool buttons, you can't go wrong! I think I got these at Macy's.

Shoes- My go-to black, slip on, (non)smoker slippers. I wear these little loafers with anything from business dresses to denim shorts.

Details- I will never be over red lips, add a punch of color with your lips, nails, or both.

live it - Easter escapade

As Easter approached this year, I wanted to do something different. I have attended church on Easter (and nearly every single Sunday) since I was born. I talked to my dad and he recommended I go hiking to celebrate this year. Just God, creation and Millie Mae Vanilli Lapham (my scruffy rescue dog).

At first, the idea of hiking on my own in America me a little nervous. I know this seems completely ridiculous, as I traveled on my own in Europe many times, but something about how spread out we are here in good old 'Merica, makes me a little nervous...all the more reason to overcome this fear and take the trip! After a couple recommendations of safer/more-traveled trails, I landed on the Fiery Gizzard trail in southern Tennessee. (Side note: Not advocating hiking on your own as girl, use your own judgement ladies!)

On a perfect, sunny Easter morning, I packed up my dog and drove an hour or two (<-may have been slightly lost) to the trail. My GPS told me to turn down roads that I was certain were not actual roads. I passed houses that seemed abandoned and a baseball stadium that looked to be out-of-use since 1970, but then I turned into a parking lot full of Jeep Wranglers, and I knew I was in the right place!

(may be a picture from a previous, non-solo, hiking adventure...but I was wearing nearly the same thing...it counts.)

The trail was the most beautiful trail I have ever been on. A cascading stream followed along the trail as I climbed over boulders, hopped along rocks and crossed bridges. The deep blue swimming holes and waterfalls were stunning and looked like they belonged in a Disney World boat tour.

Years ago, I read this book, Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God, by Gary Thomas, and (turns out I have been misquoting it all these years thinking there were only 5) about the 9 'Sacred Pathways' to God (clearly time for me to read it again). Anyway, one of the strongest ways that I connect to God is through nature. With all of the craziness and uncertainty in my life right now, there was something so simple and powerful about not hearing anything around me, but creation.

Towards the end of my hike, I stepped out onto a huge rock in the center of a stream, water rushing on either side of me, cascading down the waterfall behind me and I just sat on this huge boulder. It was the perfect moment to be still and be thankful for everything Easter represents, forgiveness, redemption, new life, peace and hope.

Happy belated Easter!

the best part of it all...Millie slept the rest of the day!

wear it - busy blazer

I never know what the technical rules of fashion are and I sort of feel like these days there are no rules! So forget that you aren't 'supposed' to wear black shoes- or black in general after Easter. If New Yorkers can wear black year round, then so can the rest of us.

This is my model/love of my Nashville life/#fellowtallgirlproblems, Sandra, you may see her on here ruling the world in fun clothes.











Blazer - This busy-patterned blazer is one of my favorite pieces, it can be dressed up and worn to work or paired with fun shorts like this.

Shoes - The black boot heels are definitely in my top 5 favorite shoes I own. I know that April isn't exactly black boot season, but I am sure it is snowing somewhere still (shout out to my Michigan fam!), so I think that justifies us to wear boots anywhere!

Shorts - The shorts are amazing! Plain black shorts are great, but there is something really cool when you mix patterns and this is a subtle way to do that.

Tee - I am not normally a printed tee fan, but I am warming up to the idea. I feel like there is a way to have a printed tee and keep it classy (ex: the neon fishing shirts sold in every gas station in the South, do not count as classy). I really liked the girliness of the LOVE shirt mixed with dark colors and boots.

Do it – 2014 resolution check

So four months into 2014, I am guessing many of you have given up on your New Year’s resolutions to eat better and/or exercise more, yes? The most popular resolution made on NYE is to lose weight, but most people give up after a couple weeks or months. Side note: You may also be one of the lucky models that I used to work with, who have no idea what I am talking about, because you are just naturally ridiculous…if yes- high five, but these tips are even good for you! At the end of the day, you motivation should be about living a healthy lifestyle- not a diet, but a complete lifestyle change.

I am one of those people who is borderline health-obsessive at times, I still love my ice cream and cookie dough (or the two combined for a magical combination), but I do eat healthy and exercise frequently. Because this is my passion, I am often asked by friends or family for easy tips that contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. There are so many simple things you can do to make significant changes for your health, so I came up with a top seven list.

1. Cut out sugary drinks.



I am a huge coffee and smoothie fan, however, most beverages are packed with a surprising amount sugar and calories and just because it is labeled ‘smoothie’- does NOT mean it is healthy. Cut out alcohol and pop/soda/coke (whatever the kids are saying these days) completely if you can, it just isn’t worth it. If you want to splurge every now and then- let it be a treat, not the norm.

2. Drink more water.



I carry a 1.5 liter bottle of water with me all the time. I read somewhere that Victoria’s Secret models drink a gallon a day! Water keeps you fuller, helps with your metabolism and is calorie-free.

3. Take the stairs. Always.



Forget about elevators completely. I once lived in New York City on the 22 floor and took the stairs everyday (multiple times a day…in heels!) for a month straight. Canada does this interesting program with business called Stairway to Health that encourages entire companies to abandon the elevator, try to get your work involved too! Every little bit helps.

4. Exercise. Just do it.



I am often given a hard time because I go to bed early, so I can go to the gym before work. Here’s the thing, ‘I have no time’ is just not an excuse, you can always get up earlier. Most gyms have daycare centers and though 5 a.m. is painful- your workout can be done an over with before you are even awake enough to think. Find a gym that makes it worth getting up, I have a cardio theatre at my gym and watch movies while I shed calories OR get outside, ride a bike, go for a walk, climb a mountain, go surfing, just move!

5. Portions.



As Americans, we are known around the world for our crazy portion sizes. Start measuring out your food and pay attention to how much of it you are eating. Load up most of your plate with veggies or salad and keep the carbs to a minimum.

6. Switch to whole grains.



If you must eat bread (WHY is it SO good), then get whole grain or whole wheat, if it simply says ‘wheat’ it doesn’t count. Keep this as a rule for most of your carbs, pasta, tortillas, even crackers. There are numerous reasons to leave the refined grains behind, hop on over to Google.

7. Become educated.



Start reading labels of everything you buy, just because it is marketed as healthy…does not make it healthy. Reduced-Fat could just mean ‘extra sugar’ and sugar-free could mean ‘shady chemicals have been added’. You may also be surprised at just how many calories/grams of sugar are lurking in some of your favorite treats.

Okay, those are my lucky seven. I will post a couple recipes and tips to help along the way, but these are the best starting points that I try to live by. Again, I like a good, sprinkled cupcake as much as the next girl, but you will enjoy it a lot more after working out five days a week and eating super healthy 80% of the time!

(Also, I may or may not have eaten a cinnamon crunch bagel as I wrote this)#fail

live it - I recommend...

I can't live in the Music City without posting about music every now and then...here is what I am currently listening to (other than worship music <-keeping me going) some new, some old, but all good.


(normally not a fan of covers...but this is so good!)
(I have been obsessed with this song (/anything St. Lucia) since it came out)
(or ANYTHING London Grammar)

Fun fact: I have more Bob Marley on my ipod than any other artist by far. He is just that good.