Wordless Wednesday

Never judge a book by it's cover

This also is true for wine labels.

I'm not much of a wino. As much as I'd LOVE to tell you the opposite, it's just not in the cards for me. I often have to text my friend Michael when it comes to wine and food pairing. I usually stick to what I know and that is a wine that you can't go wrong with since it's a combination of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet, giving it it's name, Ménage à Trois.

My roomie loves her some Chardonnay. The taste is pretty mild so it's growing on me. While browsing the shelves of wine at the grocery store (I'm still not used to this genius convenience) I came across this ADORABLE label and had to give it a try.

What? A sexy pin-up label AND adorable name? You had me at 'Mad'.

I took the little jewel of a bottle home and uncorked it to give it a try. I about flew through the roof when I saw the cork. EVEN THE CORK IS KITCHEY!

I loved it. I vowed that this would be my wine. I have never even wanted to have a go-to wine until this moment because how could you not love this bottle!? Then I tasted it.....not so much a fan.

My roommate is a better judge than I could ever be and she really wasn't a fan either. At least I found some cute bottles to display in my wine rack, eh?

Damn Virtues

Today marks the release of Kings of Leon's new album Come Around Sundown and I've been so excited for this day. I do have to admit that I'm not completely IN LOVE with the album yet but that's not to say that I won't be soon enough.

As y'all can tell, I started this post yesterday but I've decided to finish it today. I take back what I said above. Not the part about me being excited for the release of Come Around Sundown; The part where I said I wasn't in love. I am.

I listened to this album for the better portion of yesterday's 9 1/2 hour work day. Once I was finished working, all I wanted to do was keep listening. I even woke up at 5 AM this morning and this album was the first thought that came to mind. Well, that and my crazy and dreamy dream I had.

The song that initially got me excited about this album is called "Back Down South". The only version I had heard prior to yesterday was the live version. I was so excited to see what they would do with it on the album. While it sounds a bit different from the live version, I still love it. It probably has much to do with my curiosity and fascination of the South.

Speaking of my fascination of the South, Austin is coming along slowly yet surely. Moving has really shed some light on some things. Light on myself, on my friends, and on my family.

As far as what I've realized about myself, as much as I hate to admit it, I want instant gratification. The hard thing is that the goals that I have set for myself do not allow for that. I want a house, a rocking body, and love. All of these things take time and it's driving me BANANAS. Sure, I could probably buy a house right now but the way that I want to furnish and decorate it isn't exactly cheap. Sadly, girls got expensive taste. The rocking body part can't happen overnight either. Sure, I could go inject myself with some pregnancy hormones and easily drop the weight within weeks but eating 500 calories a day doesn't really seem like fun to me. And don't get me started on the love part. The way things are right now, I've given up on it. Maybe you really do have to just settle and be content. There is no such thing as a fairytale. That's hard to swallow when you've grown up a hopeless romantic.

I've had to sit down and come up with a realistic timeline. That has probably been the biggest challenge thus far. I never realized how impatient I am. Austin has really made me sit back and breath. I've decided that at the age of 30, I'm going to buy a house. That gives me a little over two years to build up a nest egg for new furniture and a down payment. Of course I've already started my search and have fallen in love with a couple of houses but who knows what this next two years will bring.

I think when I moved down here, I expected THE South. The wrap-around porches, the gentlemen that call every female "ma'am", jazz music, swamps, frogs and bugs. Yes, the south is a world of it's own as is Austin but it's just....different. I think I expected something out of the movies and books I've read and it's nothing like that. I tried not to have any expectations moving down here but I fought with it in the back of my head. Maybe Austin isn't enough. Sure, it has taught me some things about myself but I'm not satisfied. Here's that instant gratification again. I've only been here 5 weeks.

Patience Heather. Patience.

This song makes me shake it

And I couldn't have said it better.

3 days, 8 stages, 130 bands, and 15 different tan lines....

This weekend was a true testament to how old I really am. Three days in the sun, on my feet, treks back and forth from the car to the festival/stage to stage, plus a raging case of allergies can wear a person out. I do have to say that it was a truly amazing experience...expensive but amazing. The bands I saw...deep breath...Miike Snow, Lucero, Band of Horses, M.I.A (who I had no intention of seeing but ended up enjoying), Gogol Bordello, The Black Keyes, Vampire Weekend, Norah Jones..I could keep going but I'm sure you get the gist.

Even more amazing than the bands were the festival goers. Everybody looked out for one another and that was so refreshing. During Lucero, we met the cutest little family that shared their shade with us and told us about their previous ACL experiences. Also, everybody made a conscious effort to keep the park clean. I've been to music festivals before and by the end of the day, it's usually a sea of garbage. Zilker park looked just as clean walking out Sunday night as it did walking in Friday morning.

One disappointment was that I saw one particular and ADORABLE Austin blogger about 15 feet away from me but wasn't completely positive it was her until I text her after we had left to another stage so I didn't get to formally meet her. It needs to happen soon though.

My rock star status was through the roof Saturday when I was allowed access to the AMD VIP area that included real bathrooms, free food, free beer, and most importantly, TONS of shade. We watched the Broken Bells, Gogol Bordello and most of M.I.A in the VIP paradise before heading out of a night on the town. 

All in all, my first year at ACL was a success. Now that I've got some experience under my belt, I'm sure next year will be even more amazing! Hopefully I'll be living closer than I am this year. Being raped by pedi-cabs isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh

Now let me see your 1, 2 step!

I had my first taste of Texas country last night. I took two step lessons at The Broken Spoke and I absolutely fell in love! There were only about 7 couples who took the lessons (which was more like an expert dancer giving beginners some tips before pushing us on to the dance floor) but after the lessons were through, the band took the stage and the dance floor came to life!

The Broken Spoke is an adorably gawdy restaurant/dance hall that has some amazing classic country history. There are pictures and memorabilia that include Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Dolly Parton everywhere.

I think I enjoyed watching the other people dancing more than I liked actually dancing myself. My poor partner just wouldn't take the reigns and lead. Apparently I'm a "natural born leader" so I need a strong partner. Hmmmm. I'm sure a few more weeks of practice and we'll be out there whirling around like the rest of them. All in all it was a great night and I made my first official Austin friend. We are trying swing dancing next week.

Texas, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

This is my reality

I must say the 21 hours and 1,300ish mile drive to Texas was not even half as bad as I anticipated. We drove all the way to Lubbock, TX the first day. That left only 6 hours worth of driving the second day. Around Clovis, NM is when the delirium started kicking in. We stopped to wash off the bugs from the windshield and get some snacks. I thought it started raining when the sun set but it was actually bugs hitting the windshield. Disgusting. Oh and Stef ate a bug. I'm pretty sure she is still mortified. I shit you not, two days after the fact, out of nowhere she'd say "Dude! I ate a bug. Like, I TASTED it." Sorry Stef.

Can I just say how charming Lubbock, TX is!? We pulled in pretty late on Thursday night and stopped at the first motel we saw so we didn't really even see the town. The next morning we were starving so we ventured out to find breakfast. We stumbled across the cutest Waffle House and had an even cuter waitress. It was just like sitting in your grandma's kitchen and having breakfast. It was great.

We finally pulled up to my new home around 5 PM. When I walked it, it was like I'd walked into a house I decorated. Tin signs, Jack Vettriano, photos of friends, antiques....sigh. I love this house. It has so many cute and kitschy things. It's like I live in an antique shop or museum. And my roommate is basically a rock star. We became instant friends!



P is for poop. Or pee.






Painting of Sarah Bettens





In case you can't find the front door.





I will have this painting in my dining room someday.





Not sure which I should learn first.





Done by Leslie's mom, Terry. Probably my favorite thing in the house!



One of many cigarette ads throughout the house.



Nobody could have prepared me for the humidity though. The first time I walked outside after it rained I almost suffocated. I'm positive I'll never get to straighten my hair here but that's alright. Aside from not having friends yet (working from home doesn't really help with the whole meeting people thing), I'm loving Austin and can't wait to discover the city. I think I will get used to Brad Womack walking right by me on the weekends. ;)