Weekend Away: Bulldog Bash

This weekend was Bulldog Bash in Starkville, so of course we spent our weekend there. We drove over late Friday night and watched a little bit of The Black Crowes concert in the Cotton District and got to see a couple of people, but it was too hot to spend much time in the crowds. We really kicked off the weekend on Saturday morning with a hearty Southern breakfast, a few good friends, and lots of coffee at Starkville Cafe before walking around downtown.



Then we spent the afternoon tailgating in the Junction, visiting with family and some of our friends from college. We went out to the game—-our dear ol' State was playing LSU this weekend. Though it wasn't a pretty ending, it was a great night for a football game and the stadium was full of fans proudly wearing the maroon and white.



This morning we met up with MrLanke, as usual, for Sunday brunch before heading back to get ready for the work week. Today we went to Restaurant Tyler, filling up on mimosas and thoroughly unhealthy breakfast foods. Fried Green Tomato Benedict for me, Sausage Biscuit Benedict for the mister, and a French Toast Sandwich for Lanke.



On our way out of town, we stopped to get a big cup of Blueberry Cobbler coffee from Strange Brew to get us through the long drive home. I walked away for one minute and the mister had picked up a bag of The Great Pumpkin Spice for each of us. Then we drove home through the rain that's supposed to bring us some fall weather.

Mr. & Mrs. Nelson, y'all.

On Friday, two of my very dear friends got married. Sadly, Mr. Burton & I were not able to be there (both having new jobs, we weren't able to get off work). Anyway, I've since seen pictures and so wish I could've been there to share in their celebration. I know they're happy as they can be and I can't wait until the next time the four of us can get together!

I think this was last year, right? We all saw The Avett Brothers together.

Also, you should see Micah's bridal portraits, done by a fell MSU Art Department Alumni, Ashley Upchurch. They are stunning, and you can see them here.

One little thing I do want to share is Micah and Andrew's wedding invitations. My sweet friends gave me the opportunity to design their wedding invitations, and I am really happy with the way that they turned out. 

So, Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Nelson!

Rainy days are for books and tea.

After spending practically the entire day reading, I finally finished The Night Circus. It was just as good as I hoped it would be when I read the first chapter. The story is written in such and interesting way, from different, intertwining points of view. It's magical in a wonderful way--I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something new to read. 

"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds and crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for the neighboring trees and the grass of the surrounding fields."

Then, after spending the dreary, rainy day with my nose in a book, Tiffany and I met at The Domain for tea and dinner at The Steeping Room. We each got a different kind of sandwich and tea. It was the first time I've eaten an actual meal there, but the food was just as good as I hoped. Obviously, it is a wonderful place for tea, too. And of course, we took a photo of the food before digging in (and our waiter arranged the teapots and cups for us). 

Monday Night Tapas

Tonight I met Tiffany downtown after work for dinner at Malgas Tapas Bar, where we fought the Monday blues with a glass of wine and some tasty tapas. We sat outside on the patio while the sun was going down, talking and laughing and I got to meet Tiffany's friend Mohan. And that's all I've got for you tonight.

Best Friends.

You know how awesome it is to hear from your oldest and best girlfriends? Tonight was girls' night and these lovely ladies that I've known most of my life called me up and made my night! I can't imagine hearing from a more wonderful group of ladies. I miss y'all more than you know!

One of the last girls' nights we had before I moved, lovelies!

Also, I feel like this just needs to be shared because of how hilarious it is. Joy told us to pose like sorority girls, so obviously we couldn't stop laughing. 

Renegade Austin

First thing this morning, I went over and signed one last piece of paperwork for my new apartment. It looks like I'll be moving in to it this week!

In the afternoon I got to have my first experience with Renegade Craft Fair--I love it. Being a craft-lover, I've wanted to go for a few years now and somehow I moved here the week of Renegade Austin. How does that work out? Even though I meant to come leave with just one thing I came home with three. A necklace (sewing machine), a bracelet (arrow), and a screen printed dress. Typical. 

After having the Renegade experience, I decided to do a little exploring--which led me to the Whole Foods in downtown Austin. Having grown up in small-town Mississippi, I haven't ever really spent time in Whole Foods since the nearest one was always a few hours away. I love that place. Fresh fruits and veggies everywhere. I came home with strawberries, peaches, kiwi, and an enormous salad for dinner with lemon-chive salad dressing. It was wonderful. 

Happy weekend, y'all!

Here we go.

As most of you know, I just left my roots back in Mississippi to work as a graphic designer in Austin, Texas. I got here four days ago and today I found an apartment.

This is happening.

My final semesters of college went by so quickly it was like a flash. Mix a graphic design student with a barista and you get a student running on about 8 big cups of coffee a day. So many good memories from it though. The best of friends (you know who you are and you will come and visit me), lots of fun, and a ton of hard work. But we made it!

Forever maroon & white, y'all.

I have a new job. I have a new home. I have a the best guy a girl could ask for and a family that loves and believes in me.

I can't wait to see where things go from here.