I LOVE New York!

So. Moral of the story is don't start a 30 Day Challenge when you are going to be gone for a week of that month. Lesson learned. This is when you guys laugh and sigh, and say "Oh that Kai, she can't finish anything. What a charming and cute quality."

Alriiight. It is not my best quality! I am working on it, so will you puh-lease stop making me feel guilty? Okay maybe that is my inner guilt talking, but I am working on it I promise. Moving on...

New York was AMAZING!! (Like anyone thought it wouldn't be?) Honestly. I dare you to go to New York, and not have a good time? Well, I am sure there are those germa-fobes that would probably have an awful time. Or maybe there are people that have an irrational fear of really tall buildings, in which case you should probably just stay away from big cities in general. But besides those people, I am sure all the rest of you would LOVE it!

We stayed in the heart of Time Square!! By the way, that part of New York is usually avoided by all actual New Yorkers due to the tourist overload. But guess what, I am a tourist!! I could act like some hip and cool person that is above it all, but in actuality I was in love with all the big sparkling signs and tourist attractions. I was one of those people walking around with a camera, not paying attention where I was going. I was a tourist, and I don't care who knows it!

{The view from my ROOM! I mean....c'mon. How awesome is that?}

{On Broadddwaaayy. I wanted to go to a show SO bad!}

{I love this! Got to walk by it every day to the Conference}

{And the FOOD! The food is amazing. Not to mention the bakeries...ummm yum!}

Truthfully, I didn't get to explore that much because I was there for work. I spent most of my days at the conference, networking and meeting current colleagues. I love meeting new people, and talking business with people I have known for a while. Yes, I even took a picture from inside the conference hall. I told you...tourist!

{But these lights are pretty cool right? And capturing the check-in below? Pure art I tell you!}

But luckily, my industry is a bunch of youngsters, so there were tons of fun work parties throughout town that I was lucky enough to go to. My favorite party was at The Dream Hotel. The view was absolutely ridiculous, and I couldn't get enough of it. Even though it was rainy out, I could have stood on the balcony all night, taking it all in.

{My sad attempt at getting the view. You get the idea...trust me it was unreal!}

So the verdict is I LOVE NEW YORK. Ahhhhh, that is why they make those t-shirts! Because it is so true! I am going back just as soon as I possibly can, and next time I will explore every little bit of the city! I am coming for you New York, be ready!

Anna Banana!

Hey friends! Kai here, introducing to one of my fav blog friends. Meet Anna!! She is kind of amazing, and I love her blog. Fun fact: My mom thinks we are exactly alike! I hope she doesn't hate the nickname I gave her! :)

Hi! I’m Anna. I blog at My Aiken Heart. I call it a lifestyle blog but really it’s just a desolate wasteland of mindless ramblings and self-portraits. =) 

That's me. 

When Kai asked me to guest post, naturally I was like "OF COURSE!" I frequently find myself at work spending WAY too much time stalking her blog so I was just absolutely thrilled that'd she'd think to ask me. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to write about today, and I hope I don’t lose too many of her followers. Ultimately I decided to write about something that’s sort of currently going on in my world. It’s also a combination of an old post I wrote in 2009. Here we go!

I am terrified of the gym.  It's not so much the working out aspect - although I do find running in place for 30 minutes a scary notion. It's the idea of going to such a BIG building full of strange people and foreign equipment and sweaty men.  How sheltered does that make me sound? 

Let me just tell you, after a very small amount of sporadic physical activity over the past four years, I have gotten disgustingly out of shape.  My volleyball regime that I followed in high school fell by the wayside while binge drinking and Guthrie’s fried chicken replaced it as soon as I got to college.  Now that I've graduated I'm left with 25 lbs and a not so cute belly pooch that I have had no idea how to get rid of. I did a short stint at Gold’s Gym with a personal trainer, but eventually decided that spending $80 dollars a month to hang out with someone I hated was a poor investment. I feel obligated to tell you she was trying to kill me.  By the end of the second set of lunges my thighs were trembling and I thought that at any given moment I might collapse onto the floor into a pool of liquefied muscle. I found myself searching for reasons to cancel our appointments just so that I wouldn’t have to spend 30 minutes staring at her tight ass and plotting her death.

That's me my freshman year of college (white shirt 2nd from right) before I was introduced to penny pitchers and Moe's burritos.

My difficulties were only magnified by the 235257345 mirrors on the wall that could be seen from any corner of the two-story establishment.  I still remember our first appointment, when 36 repetitions and 3 sets later, in my opinion it was time for a nap, little miss trainer lady took me over to a machine that at first glance looked like some sort of black ops torture device.  After a thousand butt clenches and a gallon of sweat, we went into a smaller side room with even MORE MIRRORS.  What is it with gyms and mirrors? Before I left she gave me a list of foods I was supposed to eat.  Anyone who knows me will understand how distraught I was when I tell you that CHEESE was not one of those foods. 

Do any of y’all have funny/sad/embarrassing work out stories? I’m just now getting back into a running routine, and let me tell you – after being far too sedentary for WAY too long, it’s going to be rough. I took up Spin class for a solid two weeks so who knows. This whole getting fit and being healthy thing is probably going to be a lifelong battle! 

I hope this wasn’t the longest guest post in the history of guests posts, but if you made it to the end, I applaud your valiance! Stop by my blog and say hi. =) 

A Southern Belle!

Hey Hey Hey! Another Guest Post from the coolest free spirit in the blogging world, miss Baily! She is fun, fiery, and most importantly a role model in her faith. She is always inspiring, and I know she will inspire you too!

Hello! I'm Baily - a Twitter/Instagram/Blogger/FB friend of Kai's.  I am so stoked to guest post today and share some time with you!  Kai is off working, playing, and making us all jealous in New York City.  Not that her geographical location in San Diego doesn't make me jealous on the reg, because it does, but who doesn't love a getaway to the Big Apple every so often? 

 

 I'm a Florida girl who was born in North Carolina and went to school at the University of Alabama. A blend of all different kinds of Southern.  When I think about settling down and raising a family one day, I rarely imagine myself living anywhere other than below the Mason-Dixon line in some friendly community outside of some fine city of the South. I'll need to be driving-distance to my family who sprawls across the Southeast. (I received a baby nephew a week ago today and it is killing me that I'm 10 hours away now that I'm back home.  Even this seems too far!) 

It is intriguing to me when I imagine a life in San Diego - or NYC - or any of the other places that my non-Southern blog friends live - because I just don't know what it is like to live anywhere but in the South. 

From the mountains of western Carolina I moved to one of the last small-Southern towns in Florida and then on to Tuscaloosa, Alabama - right in the heart of Dixie.  I am a proud of where my roots are and I thank God every day for allowing me to live amongst steep traditions and deep accents.  Even though I am a bonified Steel Magnolia, I am blessed to have such wonderful friends from all over the country (and world!) because of the relationships built with the help of social media.  Just because I grew up in a certain region and have values that were born in the so-called 'Bible belt', doesn't mean I discriminate against any other region and there cultural preferences. 

Like for instance, I love the free-spiritedness of California.  I think Chicago is one of the coolest cities I have ever visited.  There is something magical about Manhattan.  I think Texas is a bad-ass place, and I hope they always "Keep Austin Weird."  There is nothing more breath-taking than the view at the top of the Rocky Mountains, and I think there is something sexy about Montana and all of it's open spaces.  I could eat New England chowder everyday of my life and never get sick of it (as long as it can be shipped down to Dixieland) and I hope one day I can see the dessert skies of Arizona in person.  I may be a mix of Carolina, Florida, and Alabama... but I have admiration for all sorts of places. 

I especially admire the places that my social media friends call "home."  I think it is fascinating that so many people from so many different places can come together and form a sense of community because of the technological phenomenons that our generation has been active in taking a part of. 

Since Kai is in NYC and hails from San Diego, I thought I would offer her blog some sweet Southern hospitality while she is away!

Here are a few of my favorite things about my beloved South-land: 

 Sweet Tea.

(tastes the best in a Mason jar!)

Magnolia blooms.

NASCAR.

(you either love it or hate it)

Pearls. That's all.

Cowboy boots!!!

SEC Football.

Roll Tide Roll!

Dogwood blossoms

Southern Charm at it's best.

Shrimp & Grits

The Gulf Coast's white sandy beaches.

There is an endless list of reasons why I love life in the South.  There is a sense of pride that is instilled at birth here in the South.  It is a state of mind, being a Southerner, but it is even better when you are amongst neighbors, friends, and family who have a love and respect for the same things you do.

On the other hand, though, it is another amazing state of mind to be a free-spirit who has friends all over the place.

Like I said, I am very thankful to Blogger, Twitter, FB, and the other social sites that have allowed me to meet so many awesome people and build friendships from afar.  It is a gnarley thing!

Thanks for letting me come hang out and leave a little love from the South on this awesome California girl's blog!  I look forward to having Kai as a guest blogger on my blog soon!  I have been so out of it and in a funk when it comes to blogging because of all my summer travels but hopefully I'll be back in action on the reg now that things are settling down.  Come say hi on my blog and tell me about all the things YOU love about where you come from!

Peace & Love

Baily

pickingwildflowersblog.blogspot.com

"Growing up Southern is a privilege, really.  It's more than where you're born - it's an idea, a state of mind that seems imparted at birth.  It's more than loving fried chicken, sweet tea, Friday night football, and acoustic guitars.  It's being hospitable, being devoted to front porches, MoonPies, Sun Drop, and each other.  We don't become Southern - we're born that way." 

Funny Girl!

Hey from New York! I am SO exhausted...but I wanted to make sure you guys got to meet all of these lovely ladies! I miss you all, and shall return next week. Back and better then ever! Now here are a few of my awesome friends...


Oh Faye! I just love her so much. If you ever need a good laugh, or to smile, go check out this little blog of hers. She is so witty and well spoken, not to mention one of the nicest bloggers on the block. I am so excited that she is posting for me today!

When Kai asked me to guest post on All Kinds of Complicated, I was so excited (I've been a fan of hers for a while now). But then, I was hit with writer's block. And I don't mean I had a small feeling of "what shall I write about?"

I mean a big-truck/18-wheeler/semi (whatever you call it) of "YOU HAVE NO CREATIVE THOUGHTS" plowed right into my face.

Then I remembered Kai's post that probably lead to her asking me to write something for her. And I remembered my comment.

When you just open yourself up and write about what you want to write about, that's when you get something good. So, here goes.

I've done a few posts on my blog called Want It Wednesday. It's Wednesday, so this is what I want...

I want to want something.

I work an 8 - 5 (those actually don't exist, it's actually 7:30 - 5 or 6 or 7 or 8). I sit at the same desk around the same people. I go home to the same house with the same roommates (love them). I go to Trivia on Tuesday nights; I go out on weekends. I have a routine. And it doesn't change. I don't want it to change...because I'm scared. But I want to want it to change. I NEED to want it to change.

I want adventure.

I want spontaneity.

I want a life.

And a man.

And a million dollars.

And a puppy. (I really want a puppy.)

I need to spice up my life, huh?

*I'd love for you to spice up my life by visiting my corner of the interwebz (I hate when people say that) at Faye'sbook!

Day...Uhh

So exciting news...I am going to New York this weekend!!! Not so exciting news...I have been lagging on my daily photos, and I am sick. You win some, you lose some. Here are Days 13 through 16.

{Far Away}

You see that little sliver of Ocean up there in the left-hand corner? That is about as much of the beach I can see from my office. Just enough to make me miserable that I am not out there soaking up the sun. Luckily, it is cloudy outside today. "Luckily??" You say? Yes well, when it is gloomy outside, it makes me hate being stuck inside the office all day a little less. I know it is selfish, but I don't care! :)

{Flowers}

Can you believe there are no flowers in or around my condo??? This needs to change immediately! I will  have to have a little flower garden on my balcony or something. But for now, I have this lovely fake flower slapped to my head. It is giant, it is bedazzled, and it covers my hair on bad hair days. Could a girl ask for anything else?????

{My Shoes}

This is my uniform for most days at the office. I am pretty stoked (hi, I am from California) to be able to work in a casual work environment. The whole business-wear thing really isn't for me. Cuffed jeans and flip-flops? Much more my speed. Please ignore my desperate need for a pedicure....

{What I Ate}

This is my lunch every day at the office, accompanied by hummus and an apple. But I truly believe that all one needs in life is diet coke and wheat thins. I believe I inherited my deep admiration for both from my mother, because she has the same obsession. I think her blood might be straight diet coke by now, and I am well on my way to catching up to her. Ah well, everyone has their vices. At least I am drug free, right?

Today's theme is "On The Shelves"...but weird thing...I have no shelves? Let me take some time to come up with an idea, and I will get back to you on that one...

Day 12

{Close-Up}

This is a close-up of one of my favorite key chains, with a funny little story behind it. As most of you guys know, my goofy little (not so little) pup's name is Hudson. Everyone asks me why I chose that name, and it is kind of hard to answer. 

Usually, when ideas come to me, especially for names, I make it a point to write it down. I don't know if you know this, but I am a bit forgetful. So when I am blessed with  a good idea or thought, I save it before it slips out of my brain two seconds later. So I believe I was watching Rachel Zoe (i die!) on tv, and Kate Hudson was on the screen. At this time, Nick and I were thinking about getting a puppy sooner or later. So while watching Kate Hudson and Rachel Zoe discuss some red carpet dress, I am pretty sure I turned to Nick and shrieked "Hudson!!!!!!". He then continued to give me the what the heck are you talking about look that I know so well. Whatever, the thought process made sense in my mind, and we decided to name our puppy Hudson. 

Fast-forward a few months after we got the pre-named Hudson. My mom and I were shopping at Nordstrom for a new pair of jeans, and what brand have I been wanting for a while? Why, Hudson of course! Not because of my puppy, I actually hadn't made that connection yet. Anyway, the sales lady hands me this key chain, because it was free with every purchase. I glance at it, and had it to my mom, because she had been wanting a key chain. She looks at me and says.."Kai! You need to keep this...look really hard at what it says!" Oh my goodness gracious it was my puppy's name!! 

I instantly put my "custom made" puppy name key chain on my keys, and left the store happy. I have had it ever since, and it is still my favorite key chain!

Day 11

{Something Fun}

This one was Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy! I can't think of anything more fun than hanging out with my love, enjoying a glass of wine. Yes, contrary to what you believe, that is not apple juice in our glasses. You see, we just moved into a new apartment, and we are lacking on a few essentials....like wine glasses. But you know what, wine taste just as good out of a regular glass!

Nothing is more fun than hanging with Nicholas and watching So You Think You Can Dance (the FINALE no less!). We may or may not have the dream to become famous hip-hop dancers, and be best friends with NappyTabs. If you don't know who NappyTabs is, get to know them. Yes it is a "them", they have a joint nickname, and they are awesome. They are a married couple, who choreographs awesome hip-hop routines for the show. A hip-hopping married couple? Is there anything better??????

Nick isn't really a fan of a lot of the shows I watch, but I somehow got him sucked into SYTYCD with me! We will sit on the couch with a glass of wine, and critique all the dances together (because clearly we are the experts on the subject). I am so happy that we can enjoy small things like that together. The simplest things are always the most fun!

Day 10

{Something I Made}

Now I am sure when most bloggers saw the picture theme for today, they thought of some great dress they made from scratch, or a birdhouse made out of toothpicks. Something awesome. But alas, I am not most bloggers. I never got the creative gene, and therefore could not craft my way out of a paper bag.

My mom on the other hand is the crafting and building queen. She built my BED. Yes you read that correctly, she nailed, and hammered, and glued, and whatever else builders do, to build my very own bed. I am actually convinced that anything you asked her to build, with the exception of whole buildings, she would figure out a way to do it. If anyone likes a challenge, it is my mother. But for some reason that gene just entirely skipped over me. Grrreeaattt.

SO I was stumped. What have I made? I kept putting the picture off, because I literally haven't made anything! Then looking around this morning, I saw my lunch. A nice little peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I am on a budget people). So do this count? I mean technically, I put the peanut butter on one slice of bread, I put the jam on another slice, and then put it together. So that should count as "Something I Made" right? Alright it is a stretch, but work with me here people!

Maybe one day I will master the art of crafts. (Doesn't that sound like witchery to you?) But until that day comes, I am perfectly okay with claiming a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as triumphantly made piece of food art. Go me!

30 Day Challenge!

I am so thankful for the whole feedback I received from you guys on my last post! Your suggestions were awesome, and I will be responding to all of you this week. One of the main suggestions I heard was to find bloggers, and link up with them. So, that is just what I did...

Sherry at Oh So Lovely is hosting a 30 Day Photo Challenge for the month of August! The rules are that you have to take a picture based on the list below for each day, and then post it. I am so excited to start, even though I am a few days behind. This is going to add a new fresh feature, and force me to have more discipline with my posting. It is EXACTLY what I need, and I am ready for the challenge. As Barney Stinson would say, "Challenge Accepted!"

As you might already know, it is now the 9th of August, so therefore I am a few days behind. Luckily my obsession with my iPhone has made it super duper easy to play catch up! 

{Self Portrait}

Just me and my fakey Ray Bans. Yes, (gasp) fake. Let me explain...Whenever I have been given and/or bought nice sunglasses, I have immediately broken and/or lost them. Therefore, I have made an oath to myself to not buy any more sunglasses that cost more than $10. And believe me, it has saved a lot more money over the years.

{What I Wore}

This is what I like to call my "I'm on a Boat" outfit. I mean, really. Red Pants? Striped Top? All I need is a sailor hat and some boat shoes, and I would be ready to set sail! No but really, I actually do want boat shoes. And if I had them, I actually would have worn them. The more nautical the better I always say. You can take that to the bank!

{Clouds}

One downfall to living/working by the beach is this nasty little thing called Marine Layer. That means that a majority of the time looks like this. Gloomsville. I suppose I should stop complaining before I receive a call from my mom telling me how lucky I am, and how she WISHES she lived by the beach. 

{Favorite Color}Could you have guessed it was going to be Pink? Probably. But what is even better than regular pink? NEON pink! I think I would be perfectly okay with having neon pink nails for the rest of my life. 

{Someone I Love}

Look at this handsome man. He is almost as hard to get to take a picture as my mother. He moans and groans, to which I reply "Baaaaabe it's for the blog". As if taking picture for the blog counts as doing something for the great good? I am glad he went with it, because I don't think my logic was rock solid on that theory.

{A Childhood Memory}

Looking around my brand new apartment, it was hard for me to think about what could be considered a childhood memory. I have tons of great memories, but nothing tangible that I could take a photo of. Then it hit me! My grandma (Mimi) recently gave me a very special recipe book with all of her favorite recipes handwritten. Her Baked French Toast and Egg Souffle remind me of every single Christmas Morning growing up. We still have it every Christmas, and I think it is my favorite meal of the whole entire year!

{Something New}

My BRAND NEW VACUUM (with special pet settings)!! I don't think I have ever been more excited about a vacuum in my entire life. But now that I own a dog who happens to shed everywhere, a vacuum with a special pet-hair-grabbing-claw is a gift from above. Literally. Heaven sent! Thanks Momma!

{Technology}

With great technology, comes great distraction. I believe Peter Paker's Uncle said that in the first SpiderMan. Anyway, nothing is more technologically distracting in a wonderful way than Pinterest. If you haven't joined yet, you definitely should. Or maybe you shouldn't? I am not sure what is the right thing to suggest here. If you are comfortable wasting your time in all the best ways, then join away!

{Faceless Self Portrait}I am not really sure what they meant by this, so I hope I did it right. I tried to take a picture of my hair, but it didn't turn out so well. Mostly because it is hard to get a good picture when you aren't looking at where the camera is pointing...oh well...you get the idea!
I am so happy to be linking up with Oh So Lovely, and her 30 Day Photo Challenge. If you guys are interested, it isn't too late for you either. Just head on over to Oh So Lovely, and link on up!
9 Days Down, 21 to Go!