5 on a Friday

My week just fleeewww completely by! Maybe that's because all of our bosses at work were at a conference so we could relax a little, or maybe because I feel like I haven't had a night to unwind at home. Either way - Friday is here! And it's Friday the 13th! I've been so emotional this week so I am going to share 5 POSITIVE things today!

1. 93 days until JT in Louisville with Manda!!!! I mean seriously, this guy? He just does it for me!! And I can't wait to FINALLY get to hang out with my girl for a long weekend!

 

2. Indie Chicks - do you know about The Indie Chicks?? Because if you don't then you are missing out! Get your butt over there RIGHT NOW and subscribe to their emails. They are AMAZING! If you are an independent, bad ass, fun lovin' woman then you need to be reading their stuff! Every single week I find myself saying YESSSS!

 

 

3. I've had some interesting things going on in my life behind the scenes the past week or so. I don't really want to get too much into it, but one thing I know is that when things feel crazy I always rely on prayer. I posted this on IG yesterday. There is always something to be thankful for. Lately, instead of just saying my prayers, I've been having conversations with God. I make prayer lists and lists of things I am thankful for and I sit down and go over them. It's very therapeutic!

 

4. More early birthday gifts! You know what I always say - Nothing says Happy Birthday like Coach! Straight from my wishlist! Thanks to my very special friend Erin who I can always count on for support and drunken bathroom calls!

5. Fall weather is a'comin! I will definitely take 77 and sunny this weekend! Too bad my boys in orange aren't playing at home!

Songs that Define Me Linky & Giveaway WINNER!

Business first, party second. I have the lucky giveaway winner from my STS giveaway to announce today!! Thank you to everyone who entered! Drumroll please.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

woot woot!! Congrats Erin!!!

Linking up with the music lovin' Helene for this awesome idea today! Our lovely hostess pretty much said anything goes for this linkup - just have to throw out some songs that define you, whether it's in the past or currently. I'm going to make a little list for you because I'm just a list kinda girl. I am such a music person - I have SO many songs that define different times in my life. Boyfriend songs, best friend songs, songs that get me crunk, songs that bring tears. It was hard to choose just four!

 

Journey - Midnight Train - This is my ultimate theme song in life. I have always loved this song, I'm a huge Journey fan. But the moment when I was a teenager and they played this on Laguna Beach when LC & Stephen were on their date in the car - I know y'all remember that shit too! - just solidified it for me. I have this song on every playlist on my iTunes, I snowboard to it, wakeboard to it and workout to it. Anybody who knows me well will tell you THIS IS MY JAM! I will probably have it played at my funeral.
 

 

Alabama - Dixieland Delight - This is my go to karaoke song! I get so crunk when I hear it, and not just because it says "on a Tennessee Saturday night" It's one of my all time favs! It reminds me of some of the best nights of my life.
 

Three 6 Mafia - Late Night Tip - My high school theme song. You can pretty much sum up my entire high school experience with this song. We wore this thing out back in the day. Reminds me of Friday nights after football & basketball games, parties, my first serious boyfriend, cheerleading trips, senior trip - we always played this song!

 

 

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art - I realize that placing this one under Three 6 Mafia must be some sort of sin... but bear with me. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church, singing traditional hymns every Sunday. This is my aunt's fav hymn and I love the way she sang it, so it became one of my favs. Carrie has the voice of an angel so naturally her version of this song gives me chills. Reminds me of my childhood, my aunt (who is basically like my mama), and I can always listen to this song and feel better during times of struggle.
 

 

 

How's that for an eclectic mix of music? A little rock, a little country, Memphis rap and gotta throw in some Jesus praisin' music! Very fitting for a girl like myself!

Never Forget

September is hands down my favorite month of the year...as I've mentioned a time or two already. We get football, the beginning of fall weather, boots, my birthday, Labor Day - it's just the best in my book.

 

However, September also now brings a somber memory of that fateful day on 9/11 twelve years ago. It's ironic because when I first started my blog back in 2011, one of my very first posts was about the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I am such a huge baby about this day, so don't mind me when I'm over here crying all day. I love WAY too many firemen & policemen in my life so this really hits home.

 

We all remember where we were when we heard the godawful news, and how it made us feel. We remember the people on TV amidst the chaos - their faces tear stained, ash covered and their lives forever changed. We remember the fear of uncertainty about what might come next. We remember the heroes. We remember the fallen ones - the ones that lost their lives just by showing up to work, or sacrificed their own life to try and save another. We will never forget.

 

 

 

Weekend via Instagram

Keepin it short & sweet today! Here's a quick glimpse at my weekend via Instagram {You can find me @nikkib918}. My weekend was crazy busy, I felt like a chicken with it's head cut off running around the whole time. So no naps and no rest, but I was blessed with a fun one! Friday night at my friend's dirty thirty party was an absolute blast and the free beer didn't hurt! This idiot had the bright idea to make a hair appointment at 9am the following morning so I was struggling a little bit. But I have fresh hair and y'all know nothing beats that feeling. It's BLONDE too! I kept having to do double takes in the mirror Sat night because it was catching me off guard. Survived the bachelorette party Saturday night, and no midgets were harmed or molested. And survived my first kickball practice Sunday in the sweltering heat. Seriously, I thought it was getting close to fall temps?? 

 

Absolutely obsessed with this. DELISH!

 

Early orange & white birthday package from my soul sista Manda. She is the sweetest!

 
 


Another surprise early birthday gift from my beautiful friend Erin! I cannot wait to carry this baby!

PS - HAVE YOU ENTERED MY GIVEAWAY YET?? Better hurry - ends Thursday!