What a great way to start 27!

First and foremost I'd like to thank EVERYONE for all the birthday wishes via calling, text, blogger, and twitter! {all social media!} You truly made my day!

Do you all know Grayson from Cougar Town?

Well, I've only seen Cougar Town a few times, so I didn't know him until last week, but my sister did and met him at a local bar Monday night. I had a hunch as to where he could be last night so I suggested we go and just see..ya know, since it was a special day and all! Well, my hunch was right and as soon as we walked in Emily nudges me and says, "Lauren he right there!" {There were about 5 guys at their table.} I causally asked her where she wanted to sit and play it off like we didn't know who he was. C'mon, we couldn't sit RIGHT next to them...or I guess we could have...! So we sat down and ordered a drink and conversed by ourselves. A few minutes into our chatting a guy from their table waved at me. I don't have 20/20 vision and I wasn't wearing my glasses so I just waved and smiled a friendly smile back. A little while later I recognized the guy who waved { #blind?} at me and so I took it as out ticket to their table and to meet Josh Hopkins.

The fellas were so nice to ask us to join their table and have a drink. A little while into our chit-chat one of the guys asked if we knew who Mr. Hopkins was. Josh told he played BBall for the Celtics {and BTW those players are in town scrimmaging our UK team this week too!} My witty little sis throws it out there that she thinks he's a racquetball player! The guys go wild! They thought it was the funniest thing they had ever heard! Way to go Em!

He was gracious enough {or had enough to drink! Let's just say it's because it was my birthday!} to pay for our drinks! What a way to start out 27! 

There are more bday festivities planned this weekend ALL thanks to THE fab Chelsea & Katherine !!

 This year is already looking great!

Case: October is the BEST month!

Ok Girls, I'm going to pull out the defensive side in me  {why I like the L&O, etc so much} and make a case that...

 October IS the BEST month of the year. 

Statement. AND fact.


I'm going to be like Elle Woods:

And prove my case with "evidentiary support" 

evidence 001: 

the 4th. It's my Birthday! This year I'll be 27. Upper mid-20's. Eh...oh well. I'm living it up as a single girl in my 20's! The best, positive outlook to have, right?!

Who wouldn't want to walk into a party with tons of balloons like this?!

Chicago a few years ago!

evidence 002.

 Keeneland fall meet is open the entire month!

evidence 003. 

UK football & tailgating!

evidence 004.

 Halloween

evidence 005.

Orchards. 

All inclusive of:

5a. Apple cider/yummy snack

5b. Pumpkins for carving

5c. fall flowers

5d. possibly a hayride

5e. Cornfield maze

evidence 006. 

Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider! Forget the PSL, 

This is amazing. 

evidence 007.

Fall fashion 

something like this:

boots. 

via

The defense rests her case. 

What do you think all you lawyers? Should I become a prosecutor? I always love that role in TV shows, so exhilarating!

Christmas Comes Early!

You may remember from this post how I drooooooled over a Restoration Hardware bed. I fell in love! I looked at other stores online to compare styles and price {ya know, to be smart about my shopping-like my mom has taught me...umm I'm trying!} So, about a month ago I visited a friend in Indianapolis and went to the actual store to look at my dream bed! Was it possible to fall even more in love...YES! The bed was on sale too! Well, I shopped around and we went to a few more stores and then she took me to a store that is only in Indy. Well, there was one almost identical to the RH bed and it was on clearance! After I did the math it was about 61% off! I couldn't pass this up! I called my mom to get her advice, and she was being kinda difficult and want me to pack it in my car! {I have and SUV, but I don't think that headboard would fit!} haha, Only Mom! But, the shipping was OUTRAGEOUS! Luckily, my dad's company has shipping capabilities in Indiana to Kentucky for less than $100 and we just had the furniture store ship it to my dad's company, then to me! {Dad's are the best!} So, after all said and done...this beauty is now in it's new home, my home!

I won't be opening any Xmas gifts from Santa on Christmas morning...here it sits...

basically the only difference, the RH bed has tufting (which I LOVE, but I couldn't turn down the price!)

the RH bed

Other Room pics:

Hobby Lobby
$29
Going to try and cover the shade in burlap 

Bedding: Pottery Barn  duvet/shams/skirt a few years ago on sale
you can't tell in pic, but it has a pretty texture and ribbon detail
Pillows: Blue: Nicole Miller Macy's also a few years ago
Brown: Bed Bath and Beyond {i think}

Prints: online website each were like $4
Frames: Hobby Lobby

tailgating update!

I've missed you all! I've been a little crazy busy these past 2 weeks, and I'm pressing full steam ahead, with no end in sight! I'm slowly making a dent in my blog list and trying to catch up in your blog posts and see all of the good stuff I've missed! 

UK tailgating: It's a way of life here. 

Enjoy!

So Cute! Mini Barrel Lauren & Cameron's

Found my little protege, and her name is Lauren as well! {At work we were Lauren, RN 1 and Lauren RN 2!} Aww! So sad, she's going to work at Vandy though. :( Best of luck to her!
Royal Blue Maxi Dress: Arden B
one of my most favorite articles of clothing that I own!
Blue & White Scarf: H&M

Commonweath Stadium

Candy Cigs! Found in Chelsea's I don't smoke the real things. 

Saw this walking by another tailgate! haha Rice Krispies on top!

Our Gators Fan I guess we will keep her! She's nice and all... :) 

I'm not going to discuss the score of this game. We go for the social aspect mostly!

my fave :)

Face tattoos!

I'm excited to see those of you coming next weekend! 

Remembering Daniel

I can't believe it's been 365 days. Wow, how a year goes by so quickly. I hope you are loving your eternal life so much more than life here. Although it was so short, and there was so much left undone, I know it is free of hate, selfishness, and all things bad where you are now. I'm sure all you wounds are healed too. She picked out your handsome suit you wore that day and handsome you were. What you are wearing now, I know it is more lovely.

I think about and pray for your closer friends and family, and your best friend {LLW}, all the time. I think of how they must be feeling and what more they have lost. I have not checked on them them as much as I should. I hope you heal their pain.

I will never forget the day I came to visit you in the church. I left for work early thinking I would have a few minutes to see you and say some words to your mom and family and see the gang. When I pulled in the parking lot I was shocked by how many cars I saw. When I opened the church doors that opened into the foyer and hallway I was again amazed at how many people were there. I had no idea you knew the whole world! Thankfully, I saw a familiar face who let me stand in line with her, but I never saw the end of the visitation line. It wrapped around a few turns of the hallway. There must have been a few hundred people in front of and behind me, which kept the line from moving quickly. When I got to see you, I was overcome with emotion and so glad so many people were there for comfort.

I'm so grateful that our paths crossed and I'll never forget the times we shared. Thank you for making me feel special and pretty. Girls always need that.  You will always be a constant source of laughter and good memories for the TC group, your football friends, and the countless people who knew you.

8 years and counting...

Tuesday night I FINALLY got to have dinner and catch up with my FIRST and best friend from college. {Our schedules have been crazy, and we have been trying to get together for awhile now!} Shea and I met during sorority rush week in college. She cried everyday that first week; she was so homesick.  {Sorry to spill that detail girl!} Our roommates hadn't moved in yet, we were both roommate-less, so we became close that week. I let her sleep in my room and took her to my parents house for dinner. My dad was shocked she even made it through the first week of school and didn't move home! I'm sure glad she didn't because we were best friends that whole year.

We would do the silliest things, and have the funniest inside jokes, which are still to this day hilarious! We were there for all the boyfriends drama {what girl doesn't have boy drama} ha! And when I on the spur of the moment decided to pierce my nose, then had to hear the wrath of my parents, and then UN-pierce my nose. :( Things that happened in those dorm rooms are memories that will last forever and made that the best year!

We slowly lost touch over the years, but have kept in contact and made a point to get together and luckily still live in the same city, so we run into each other occasionally too!

Shea and Lauren through the years...

2003-2011

UK football game!

2003

In my dorm room, with her roomie, Lesley

80's Date party!

 Lots of Ruffles and Sequins!

We can totally rock the look!

2003-04

2003-04

UK tailgating 2006

Night out downtown! 2009

TNL Downtown Lex! 2011
Lesley-Shea's roomie freshman year!

Dinner last night! 2011

It was so great to catch up and fill in some of the gaps from the last time we had seen each other. Hopefully the next time won't in the in far too distant future!

Shea is getting married in March and I'm beyond THRILLED for her. She has met a great guy and she is going to be one GORGEOUS bride!

Shea, I'm soo glad you lived 2 doors down from me in the dorms 8 years ago! {umm, wow, I can't believe it's been that long since we were little freshmen on campus!}