Lunch Date

When you’ve seen another person through some of the best and worst days of their life, the conversation seems to move from the present to the past and back without much effort. When Beth and I were talking over coffee yesterday, we started reminiscing about college, some of the good stuff, and some of the painful stuff, too. We laughed about things and then were surprised that we could laugh.

"Wow,” Beth said and smiled that smile she remembers something, “That’s the gift of time, I guess.”

And that just really stayed with me for the rest of the day and for the drive of home. Time is a gift. It helps us let go and it helps us hold on. And it made me realize that, when it comes to my friendship with Beth, no one makes me laugh like Beth, no one is quiet with me like Beth, no one else can do Gossip Girl impressions with me like Beth, no one understands me like Beth, and the most important thing she has ever given me is her time.

Living hours away from my best friend who, like me, has been in graduate school for the last three years means that when we both find time to sneak away and hang out for a few hours, we leap. So yesterday, we met in Cincinnati for lunch at Findlay’s Market. Findlay’s is the oldest public market in Ohio and reminds me a lot of North Market in Columbus. There were so many amazing building murals and great doorways to photograph so Beth had to put up with a bajillion pictures (the perils of hanging around a blogger).

So talk to me about the gift of time in your life. What has time allowed you to do, overcome, or become?

love, elizabeth

That One Time I Cried in Zappos: A True Story

Just one of those days, I guess. I spent Friday at an academic conference where I presented a paper. And I left after my panel discussion, feeling utterly inadequate and depressed. It was just not a great experience for lots of reasons. Most of which were out of my control.

Source: wikipaintings.org via Elizabeth on Pinterest

And this is how I found myself sitting on a couch in the Zappos Outlet with Beth, trying not to cry.

Trying not to cry is totally worse than crying because you get that enormous lump behind your tongue that aches all the way up into the roof of your mouth and the more you think, Don’t cry, don’t cry, the faster the tears come spilling out of the corners of your eyes like little tiny flag-waving people screaming to everyone in the store, OMGLOOKSOMETHINGISREALLYWRONGWITHTHATGIRLSITTINGONTHECOUCHINZAPPOS!!!!!!

And the more I tried not to cry, the more obvious it became until the Zappos security guard came over with a tissue and said, “Ma’am, I’m with security. If there’s anything you need from us, you just let us know.”

The only thing that is worse than trying not to cry is trying not to cry when someone you don’t know is nice to you while you’re trying not to cry.

Dear, sweet, Zappos security guard, can you please make a hole open up in the middle of the Zappos store and swallow me up so that I can cry sad, stupid tears all over my sad, stupid face without worrying about my mascara running or my glasses fogging up?

The moral of the story is…sometimes we have bad days? I don’t know. There’s no moral. Although, I’m pretty sure it should be illegal to cry in Zappos. The deals are just too good. And no one is even paying me to say that.

love, elizabeth

Company

We spent the first half of this weekend with our best friends, Beth and Zach, who came up from Kentucky to visit us. We haven’t had a chance to see them since the end of the summer and we were so excited to spend some time…

We ended up at one of our favorite spots, B.D.’s Mongolian Grill for lunch…

And Beth let me drag her to the Yellow Sale at Bath & Body Works (I have a problem…I realize).

And while the boys went out and saw Mission Impossible, we painted our nails (I’m a recent fan of J. Crew’s electric pink…) and watched the greatest romance of all time, The Notebook.

Uh, PS: Henceforth, we are replacing the word ‘hot’ with ‘Ryan Gosling.’ As in, ‘Wow, it is so Ryan Gosling outside…we should go to the pool!” or “Dang, you’re looking real Ryan Gosling today. Have you been working out?” or “These chocolate chip cookies just came out of the oven and they’re still pretty Ryan Gosling. Do you want some milk?”

I’ve been a little sad since they left this morning but so, so thankful for the time together.

Bonus of having company? The house is totally clean. How has your weekend been so far?

love, elizabeth

Inspiration of the Month: Beth

It’s August and that means it’s time for another inspiration of the month feature! This month, I’d like you to meet Beth.

Okay, so I talk about Beth a lot on this blog. Because a) She’s one of my best friends on the entire planet, b) We’ve been through more crap together than anyone will ever know, and c) She seriously inspires pretty much everyone she comes into contact with. Maybe you’re sick of hearing me talk about Beth. Beth, Beth, Beth, you’re thinking. If you met Beth…you’d understand.

Beth and I met our freshman year of college where we both majored in theatre. I tell her all the time that the first time I met her, I wanted to be friends with her so badly but was convinced she was way too cool to be friends with me. To which she always replies, “Elizabeth, you are so silly!”

There are lots and lots of inspiring things about Beth but one of my favorite things is her passion as a yoga instructor.

Yoga is one of those things I find super intimidating for some reason but would really love to try because it’s such good physical and emotional exercise. What I love about Beth is how accessible she makes yoga. There is no pretention or attitude about her as a teacher. She loves yoga and she loves helping other people love yoga.

Five Fast Beth Facts:

- Beth is currently in her final year, studying for her Master of Fine Arts in Acting. She once played Cinderella. On opening night, she saved the Fairy Godmother from being crushed by a falling piece of set. (Funny side note: her future husband played the wicked stepmother!)

- She got married last week.

- She knows the words to pretty much every pop song written between about 1952 and 1969. It’s a little freaky. Oh, also…bad 90’s music.

- She does the most incredible “fake drunk” bit I’ve ever seen. We really didn’t drink hardly AT ALL in college but there were a few people who were convinced that Beth was a hardcore partier because she would walk around with a cup of soda all night, stumbling around and slurring her words. People were constantly making sure that no one gave her the car keys. Someone give the lady a Tony.

- Beth also loves to bake. My favorites? Her peanut butter pie and her white chocolate raspberry cupcakes. The year we lived together, I ate more pie than any one person should be allowed to have.

So there you have it. Are you inspired to take up yoga, yet?

What about YOU? Who is inspiring you lately?

love, elizabeth

A Wedding in Bourbon Country

I am finally home (and starting to feel rested after a very long, wonderful week)! Beth and Zach’s wedding was beautiful and, in my opinion, a perfect representation of who they are as a couple. I got a little picture happy while I was there (between 300 and 400 pictures-happy) but I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you!

Beth and Zach before the rehearsal at St. Francis of Assisi.

Beth and some of the girls reenacting a scene from Bridezilla.

St. Francis

Putting the bouquets together Friday morning. Left to right: Ebony, Brianna, Shawna, and Jessica.

The happy couple post-ceremony

One of my favorite shots of the two of them…

Your eyes do not deceive you. That is my manly, manly husband sporting my wedge heels. My feet were killing me and Kyle kindly traded shoes while we waited for pictures. In case anyone is wondering, that is pretty much the definition of true love.

Beth and Zach in the limo on the way to the reception at Glassworks

Beth and her older brother Dan during their dance rendition of Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” Their Sicilian family was soooooooooo happy.

Beth and I at the reception (and a picture to prove I was actually there!)

One of the best weeks of my life. Already missing the other bridesmaids and Beth and her amazing family…

What about YOU? How was your week??

love, elizabeth

PS: Another big thank-you to Ashley, Mom, and Sarah for guest-posting for me last week. I’m excited to catch up on everyone’s blogs starting tomorrow!

A Wedding 5 Years Ago

With Beth’s wedding just days away (and me packing to leave for it), I’ve been thinking a lot about my own wedding. It’s mind-boggling to me how quickly the last five years have flown. I imagine the next five will fly even faster. This afternoon, on an impulse, I pulled out the wedding cd our photographer made for us. I haven’t actually looked at it since the wedding and I found myself crying, especially seeing the pictures of my grandfather who passed away a year ago, seeing the tenderness on Kyle’s face, the look in my mother’s eyes. It’s hard to believe I could have this many wonderful, loving people in my life. I am so thankful for them. And I’m thankful to have these pictures…

 

 

via Candy Apple Photography

If you are a Colorado bride, be sure to check this amazing photography duo out.

They’re absolutely the best.

I love seeing pictures of Beth and Zach together at our wedding long before they started dating. My friend Kacey took this photo in a car on the way to the wedding. That’s Zach and Beth in the front seat! And five years later…they’re about to get married themselves. This picture makes me so happy.

Photo credits: Kacey Stamats

Two of my favorite people in the universe. I should have known then…If we could only see what the future has for us!

Have spent some good nostalgic cry-time this afternoon. Hopefully I’ve gotten it all out of my system and can stay dry-eyed through the entire wedding week. (ahahahahahahahahaa…)

What about you? What wedding memories make you tear up?

love, elizabeth

PS: I’ll be leaving Tuesday but I have some sweet guest-posts coming up that you don’t want to miss!

Oh, and the Don’t Worry, Be Happy Giveaway closes Sunday night at midnight…want some H&M accessories? ENTER HERE.

The Bachelorette: Kentucky Edition

I just got home from a weekend with my best friend, Beth, who is getting married in just eleven short days! Last night we went out for her bachelorette party. She gave me permission to post some pictures. Here are some of my favorites from the night…

Getting ready to go out…

The bachelorette…isn’t she pretty? She even put on the goofy veil I brought her.

We ended up at the bar and restaurant where Beth waits tables (when she’s not teaching yoga or acting or finishing her master of fine arts program). Had a couple drinks (including my first hurricane) and sang a ridiculous amount of karaoke.

The highlight was probably Beyoncé's All the Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It). Oh, and I sang Hey, Soul Sister by Train so my night was complete.

And at the end of the night (read: 3:45 am), because smart bachelorettes don’t ever drink and drive, Beth’s fiancé Zach came and picked us up. But before we left, the soon-to-be-marrieds sang a duet (The Monkees, I’m a Believer). I did not cry. No one saw me cry. You can’t prove a thing.

Looking forward to heading back to Louisville for the wedding in a couple weeks.

So how was YOUR weekend?

love, elizabeth

PS: A measly THREE more posts until we open the giveaway! Clue #3: It’s great for out of doors…