Now, Be In This Moment.

I received an email yesterday from my father, a sappy sentimental being like myself, containing a speech he had found on LinkedIn. Poetically and humorously, Dick Costolo, the CEO of Twitter, compares the lessons of improvisational theater with that of tackling life. Sure this speaks to me immensely because of the time of my life, but more importantly, it reiterates sound life advice. 

Portions that spoke to me the most:

"When you're doing what you love to do you become resilient because that's the habit you create for yourself."

"If you're just filling a role you will be blindsided."

Summarized (don't cheat yourself, watch the whole thing): "I implore you to remember those two lessons I learned years ago. Be bold, make courageous choices for yourself, be in the Keebler Elf Factory--what are you afraid of? And secondly, don't always worry what about your next line is supposed to be; what you're supposed to do next? There's no script. Live your life. Be in this moment, be in this moment, now be in this moment."

Best of all though: "And remember to say thank you." 

Oh, How I Adore You Knoxville. Part II.

There are moments when the rain has made the pavement shine with the street lights, and there are moments when the light perfectly accents the elegant Sunsphere. There are times when Knoxville actually doesn't seem that bad. New York maybe is a little hasty. New York will never embody what this small yet big Southern city possess. 

I love it here.

I don't want to leave here when I remember how much I love to sit on the roof at Pres Pub and sip Blue Moon. Or when I realize that my best friends in the world are here. Or when I recall the fact that I don't know what the heck I'm doing. 

But Knoxville is a safe place. It's time to really take the plunge. Put on that adventure hat and get out into the world. Follow those dreams with fearless (at least seemingly-fearless) abandon. Achieve what I know I can achieve. 

Cheesy post. Don't blame me. Blame this stage of life.  

Merry Monday: Brown Cow Photo Shoot

Last week I set up a tripod, gave these babes a glass of Pinot Grigio and let the madness commence.

I can say with confidence that these four have been fundamental in making me who I am today. I've been compiling Brown Cow Tales and will hopefully share soonish.

Virginia, LJ, Hope and Kristin all bring something different to the table back porch. They are brilliant, stunning, interesting, hilarious, absurd, sometimes-idiotic, frequently-insane, epically-wonderful -- the list could go on.

I just know that I love this house and all the madness it carries.

Your Triple-Threat Summer Fête | Part Three: Amsterdam

Here's a three part series I concocted for an internship that, alas, I didn't get. 

You have one week of vacation time and a bank balance that proves you passed on the week with your friends doing something typical. The trifecta of European style, London, Paris and Amsterdam, awaits your glamour.

Suddenly, seven days in Europe—sans the backpack, thank you—seems more daunting than dreamy. But relax, mes amies, and create a fashion plan that lets you shine and train- hop like a local.

[Find these goodies: Wedges, Sunglasses, Dress, Earrings]

In a just a skosh over three hours, your Parisian daydreams are in the wind and you are in Amsterdam’s midst.

Finish the last stretch of your voyage with a bang, a Dutch bang (I’m talking about music). Cobbled roads, canals and unexpected colors are distinctive of Amsterdam, and Instagram will be chock full of your filtered photos.

Your Triple-Threat Summer Fête | Part Two: Paris

Here's a three part series I concocted for an internship that, alas, I didn't get. 

You have one week of vacation time and a bank balance that proves you passed on the week with your friends doing something typical. The trifecta of European style, London, Paris and Amsterdam, awaits your glamour.

Suddenly, seven days in Europe—sans the backpack, thank you—seems more daunting than dreamy. But relax, mes amies, and create a fashion plan that lets you shine and train- hop like a local.

[Find the goodies: Glasses, Champagne Box, Clutch, Dress, Earrings]

The two-and-a-half hour Eurostar ride offers ideal time to decompress and then rev it up again for the City of Light, Paris. The sheer elegance of this decadent city cleanses the soul, so two days amidst this non-stop beauty tends to feel like a dream.

The Eiffel Tower begins to sparkle on the hour for five minutes. Buy a bottle of “champagne brut” – try pink champagne (rose) in particular - to sip next to the glistening La Tour Eiffel. Also pick up a loaf of bread and some cheese. It might be the best dining moment of your life.

Your Triple-Threat Summer Fête | Part One: London

Here's a three part series I concocted for an internship that, alas, I didn't get. 

You have one week of vacation time and a bank balance that proves you passed on the week with your friends doing something typical. The trifecta of European style, London, Paris and Amsterdam, awaits your glamour.

Suddenly, seven days in Europe—sans the backpack, thank you—seems more daunting than dreamy. But relax, mes amies, and create a fashion plan that lets you shine and train- hop like a local.

[Find these goodies: Headband, Leggings, Top, Heals]

First stamp on the passport? London, darling. Home of the royal family, posh accents and The Clash.

Be a culture vulture in this proper city during the day and edge it up at night. Let your inner-Alexa Chung guide you in your fashion ways. This is when you rock the leather and the fearless fringe (we are talking bangs).

Graduation Itself

Such a momentous occasion.
Such an array of emotions over the accomplishment, the closure, the excitement, the fear and the anxiety.
Such a day was last Thursday.