Ghostface Killah

I don't know what it is about this specific "sound" of rap...

but I dig it.

Definitely the "old school" vibe I enjoy.

Ghostface Killah - Camay

Interstellar

A few weeks ago for 'date night', we went to see Interstellar.

Now let me preface by saying I enjoy movies - but it's not often  I really love one.

I really thought this movie was phenomenal. Of course, Matthew McConaughey is amazing in anything he does - so naturally he was perfect in his role. 

I can't say what it was about this movie I enjoyed so much... honestly,I hadn't even heard of it until the morning we went and seen it. When I sat down to watch, all I knew was that it was a "...space movie with Matthew McConaughey".

I left feeling like it was the best movie i had seen in a long time.

Frankly, it just made me feel.

I have zero shame in admitting that I cried almost the entire way through the movie. I felt heartbroken, anxious, hopeful, angry, hopeless, happy, and pretty much every other emotion in the book, throughout the course of the film. 

*No joke, I walked out of the theatre with a headache from crying for so long. LOL*

I don't want to get too crazy here - there were definitely some "science-y" parts of the movie that made me think "meh".... but for me, it wasn't enough to affect my opinion. 

... Clearly, I really enjoyed this movie :)

 I'd definitely recommend it.

Louisa Wendorff

By now, it's obvious that I love a good cover.

Also obvious I love finding random artists that don't have much exposure - but deserve some.

I stumbled upon Louisa Wendorff and found her to be pretty amazing. 

My only grumble is that while I think she's decent in her mash-up cover style, I'd really like to hear a few full covers from her. She's got a beautiful voice. It looks like she just started posting videos just under a year ago though - so hopefully there's more to come :)

Louisa Wendorff - Kiss Me // XO (Beyonce & Ed Sheeran Cover)

Pretty Hurts // Try // Who you are (Beyonce, Colbie Callait & Jessie J Mash-up Cover)

Friday Night Lights

A few weeks ago [Friday the 14th], we had an opportunity to attend a Permian High School Playoff Game at Ratliff Stadium. 

High School football is HUGE in Texas, and this game was no exception. While Permian dominated, Sam Houston (Arlington) defensemen got screamed at by their coach - so loud I could hear every word from my seat. Then towards the end of the game - the police had to break up two fathers/families who were about to have an all out brawl on the bleachers!

Other than that obvious intensity, it was a really enjoyable experience. My High School football field pales in comparison to the Ratliff Stadium. It definitely took me back to when I was in high school. Permian has a HUGE marching band, but I felt that each teams halftime show's were pretty weak. I was definitely hoping for more - especially because I was really enjoying the band during the game, and the cheerleaders and dancers as well! 

It was a bit chilly that night - but I went prepared!! I was bundled up like an eskimo, while everyone else wore a light jacket or thick sweater... but the important thing was that we all enjoyed ourselves. Mostly, I am happy to say I went to a playoff game at the "Friday Night Lights" stadium :)

Ratliff Stadium Entrance

Yeah, to me it got pretty cold as the night wore on... I was thankful I over-layered. I didn't care that everyone else was staring at me like I was a psychopath :-D

Permian Marching Band. They were huge, and they did an amazing job during the game. It was alot of fun to watch their conductor, the dance team, and the cheerleaders interact.

  

The Sam Houston Dancers at Half Time

Police Crew jumping in on the 2 families about to duke it out lol

Try Me

Oooooh.

Shit.

Female artist from Detroit on the come up. 

She's good too!

I hope she can make it. We need more women in the game. 

Dej Loaf - Try Me / We Good

*Both of the remixes are good too*

MN and back again!

Last week I left Monday morning again for Minneapolis! This time, there was even more snow - and it was even colder! 

As much as I hate to admit it... I get quite nostalgic when I am around the snow. 

It's just so beautiful <3

One month left before I'm home! I'm leaning towards cutting the locks off a bit :)

Love this stuff.

Over the summer, another hotel I stayed at carried the Sun Coast Salts and I ended up purchasing some. One good scrub in the morning will leave your hands moisturized ALL day

(even in the dry MN and TX weather! lol)

Caught the sunset as we were flying back into Texas... nothing like those big, beautiful Texas skies <3

The snow against the evergreens was beautiful.

Oh, sweet nostalgia!

Sunset.

through the looking glass

A bunch of us enjoying a few rounds of Sassy Trivia and a nightcap :)

The day I returned, when I left work this is how Texas welcomed me :)

It was a great few weeks, but I was definitely thankful for the nice weather when I returned!

Here with me

"Caught in the riptide
I was searching for the truth
There was a reason
I collided into you"

Here with me - Susie Suh

Beyoncé

Can't wait for the  Platinum album to drop.
November 24th, 2014 = release date

Deluxe Album to include:

Flawless (Remix) ft. Nicki

(which I already am obsessed with and love, love, love)

&

Drunk (Remix) ft. Kanye

and...

Beyoncé - 7/11

Honestly, I like her music so much more since she's recognized she was being stifled by not freely expressing herself - I like the seemingly new version - The 'Grown Woman' Bey, that isn't concerned with the public eye, but rather focuses on what makes her happy.

 If you have kept up with her on Youtube (not Vevo) - when she released the original album in December 13', she had posted a 5 part "Self-Titled" "mini-art" feature. 

Part 2 titled "Imperfection" Beyonce says:

"I feel like something about the aggression of Bow Down and the attitude of Flawless - the reality is, sometimes you lose. And you're never too good to lose, you're never too big to lose, you're never too smart to lose; it happens, and it happens when it needs to happen. And you have to embrace those things"

In Part 5 titled "Honesty" she explains:

“I’ve done so many things in my life, in my career, that I feel like at this point I’ve earned the right to be me and to express any and every side of myself,”

I know there are people knocking her and her new music so I'm sure nothing will change with this release - but I don't care.

Not. One. Bit.

... I adore her sexy, raunchy, gangster side

... I admire her self-awareness

...and I appreciate her courage in the ability to be vulnerable. 

#BeyHive

Pretend...

Tinashe - Pretend ft. A$AP ROCKY

Pole Studio

Since I've gotten my pole a few years back, mostly I have taught myself. 

Last year I decided to take some classes to see how I liked it. 

Well, I loved them.... but the studio ended up closing after a while.

A few weeks ago, the highly anticipated new studio opened - so naturally I was present that morning ready to check it out and register.

I'm anxious to get back into a studio with some hands on instruction. 

Can't wait!

How Did This Happen

She's got one of those voices that I love to listen to.

While this probably is my favorite,
she's got a handful of other good songs as well.

Amber Rubarth - How Did This Happen

"How did this happen again 
When did the room start to spin 
Out of focus and crash in the breezes 
I thought we’d figured it out 
Thought our hearts finally found 
One love that trumped every reason 

But bricks came piling up 
And they blocked out the sun 
Stopped our arms from holding each other 
The walls we built to protect 
Locked us in here instead 
In the darkness, lonely and hungered 
Both back to a life all alone 

I want to get out 
I want to get out 
So I gotta give in 
I gotta give in, now 
I gotta give in 
I want to get out 
I want to get out 
So I gotta give in 
I gotta give in, now 
I gotta give in 

How did this happen again 
Why did I fight to the end 
In a battle I didn't believe in 
I thought we’d figured it out 
Thought our hearts finally found 
One Love that trumped every reason 
One Love that trumped every reason 
One Love that trumped every reason to go 
Back to a life all alone..."

Leadership Summit - Takeaway

This past week has been one of the best work events I have gone to in my career thus far.

I can't even begin to describe how effective and inspirational this summit was. It was a small group of us, and the company hired the Prouty Project for the week. Again, I can't begin to describe these guys. Definitely a week that has sparked a flame inside of me. 

Plus, it didn't hurt we got to experience some pretty amazing things throughout the week :) 

The week was very much focused inward, so they had us leave all electronics and distractions behind. That being said, I don't have pictures of anything we did really - but here are some of the photos I was able to capture from the week!!

A few gals and myself made this dinner in the hotel kitchen one night.... as we drank wine, of course :)

Definitely a blast!! I think the sous chef really liked us lol

Snapshots.

I mostly wore tights since I am always the one that's cold!

Beautiful fireplace inside the hotel/conference center. 

The morning I flew in... they had a winter storm! Luckily, my delay wasn't bad.

Another view of the hotel/conference center.

Sunsets over Lake McKnight were beautiful. I didn't realize there were trails around the center I could have utilized, so I didn't pack for outside fitness!! The company did however, provide a personal trainer - which I thought wa pretty cool.

Night Flights are always and forever my favorite. I love seeing the cities lit up.

Home sweet Home... until next week! 

Kylie Jenner Freak

LOL 

SO dumb

butttttt.......I do kinda like the instrumental and the way his voice sounds :)

LiveLikeDavis - Kylie Jenner Freak

This Moment

"Caught up in the moment
Gotta take it all in
And now it’s all about you
If I can make you smile
Then the world keeps spinning"

Renald Francoeur ft. Megan Oliver - This Moment

Leadership Summit

Today I'm leaving for a leadership summit for work. 

I've been asked to be 1 of 20 people from the entire company to participate in this program.

Kind of a big deal - and this first retreat is the one I am most excited for. 

I will be gone all week, and honestly - it is much needed. 

I am looking forward to be motivated and inspired!

In spirit of work...

here are some more pics from over the summer at the all-company meeting:

Up on the big screen in the ballroom for an all-company presentation and speaker

Hotel

Meeting for one of the Divisions

My Main

Ooh she on!

Yup.

Pretty sure I love everything about this.

Mila J - My Main ft. Ty Dolla $ign

Hockey Night

Last Thursday a big group went to a local minor league hockey game. 

I'm not a huge fan of watching hockey on TV, but I definitely enjoy a good game live. 

This game definitely wasn't anything impressive, but we had a drink during, enjoyed the fun company and atmosphere, then went for dinner afterwards.

It was a fun excuse to go out on a weeknight!

Up in Flames

Up in Flames - Sam Tinnesz ft. Maggie Eckford

More of Minneapolis

Next week I will be gone for business.

It got me thinking -- I never finished posting all of my pictures from Minneapolis over the summer!

I always love getting to visit new places and try new things. On my last visit to Minneapolis, of course we went to Ichiban, but I also got to hit a few different spots that I had never been to. Of course this isn't every place we went - but here are a few snapshots from a couple of them!

Ichiban place setting

Butcher and The Boar

The Shout House Dueling Piano Bar

Ichiban has such great food.

inside Ichiban

Ichiban Souvenirs!

(Last year I got the Panda. This year I bought Buddha and the Kitty!)

Rock Bottom Brewery

read em and weep

Trent Dabbs - Read Em and Weep

"I wish it didn't happen but it did

You should be lighting fireworks and running with the kids

It's the kinda things you wanna see 'em happen to do

I wish it didn't happen but it did"

Fall Snapshots

Just a few fall snapshots... <3

ND vs. UofM

.Forces.

Fall Friday <3

My bundle of love!