Atlanta Adventures: Wild Heaven Brewery

Last Saturday we ventured out to Decatur to check out Wild Heaven Brewery. After thinking we had made a wrong turn into a sketchy neighborhood we found this cute little brewery! We got six gold tokens and a really cool beer glass (pictured below) and set out to try each of their beers. 

They had seven different beers on tap so I only tried six of them, but I was super impressed! My favorites were probably Ode to Mercy and Civilization. However they were all pretty great and I would for sure buy them again. 

What are you favorite Atlanta breweries? There are so many in Atlanta and I can't wait to visit them all!

xx Kristen

All Time Low Concert

All Time Low has been one of my favorite bands since high school. Many people who asked what concert I was going to see Saturday night simply said, "why?" to my response. This pop-punk music that All Time Low has perfected over the years is something most people my age have "grown out of." It's seen as angst ridden, winey and maybe a little dark. However, I didn't see ATL as a phase, I saw them as an amazing band that I love.

I honestly don't care what people think of my music taste, I like who I like and I love live music. It's as simple as that. So with that being said, I loved seeing All Time Low live. The Atlanta Civic Center ended up being a great place for them to preform and even though we were kinda in the back, it wasn't a bad view.

All Time Low actually has 6 CDs out, so they did a pretty good job of working all of them in there. They hit most of their singles and hits, didn't play too much off their first record and they did two acoustic songs. Now, I LOVE acoustic songs. When this type of band gets out the acoustic guitar or a piano, I flip. Sadly, the two acoustic songs they preformed are not my favorite songs. My excitement dwindled a little there, but everyone else in the audience seemed to appreciate them.

I've said this before I'm sure, but I always enjoy when bands play covers of songs they like. It's cool to get a new take on a song and it's fun knowing the kind of music a band you like listens to. Toward the end of the show All Time Low preformed Blink-182's "Small Things." It was really hyped and fun and they did a great job with it.

One of the more fun things about smaller concerts like this one (as opposed to stadium tours) is that there is a lot more interaction with the crowd. They joke around, they try and hear what you're saying, they'll read the signs you brought, and in ATL's case, collect the bras you throw on stage. I'll never understand that thought process... Anyways, All Time Low actually had a bunch of fans come up on stage and sing Time Bomb with them so that was pretty awesome! Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I ended up on stage, probably just awkwardly sing along and bop to the music.

Overall it was everything I wanted in a concert from them. I got to jump up and down, scream along to all of my favorite songs and feel the rush of live music that I love. There were a lot of young girls in the crowd, a lot of moms chaperoning, but I felt like I was right where I belonged. Music doesn't care how old I am, it'll always be there for me.

I like a lot of different kinds of music, and I'm not going to pretend like it doesn't bother me when people judge me for bands I like. Honestly, they're the ones missing out though. Pop-punk music is high energy, sarcastic, a little dark at times, but most importantly it's fun! I think that's why I love it so much.

I'll leave you with this backdrop they had up before they started their set, and a few of my favorite All Time Low songs.  

xx Kristen

 
Something's Gotta Give - All Time Low
Dear Maria, Count Me In- All Time Low
Weightless - All Time Low
The Reckless and The Brave - All Time Low
Time Bomb - All Time Low

Artists I Love: Ed Sheeran

From atlanticrecords.com 

What is there to say about Ed Sheeran? I came about him the way most people did, when "The A Team" and "Lego House" made it onto the radio. I had no idea what he looked like, didn't know he was British and was clueless to the fact that we were around the same age. All I knew was that I really loved his sound.

His sound. I've always been a huge fan of acoustic songs, there's just something so chilled out and intimate about the acoustic guitar. It feels like you're just chilling in someone's living room, laughing and jamming to your favorite songs. This acoustic sound is at the core of almost all of his songs.

The other side of his sound are these crazy, amazing beats and his rapping. First, let me say his lyrics are inspired and beautiful. I love lyrics, words really take a song to the next level for me. When they're clever, when they make a comparison you've never thought of, when they say exactly what you couldn't put into words. I love lyrics. Ed Sheeran writes all of his own songs, they're his words and thoughts and emotions and that is simply beautiful to me. So, in some of his songs he basically raps and it is so impressive. One of my favorite songs he does this in is "Take It Back" and it is just wonderful. In the very beginning he says, "I'm not a rapper, I'm a singer with a flow." That's literally what is and it's so different from anything out there. I love it.

This combination of beautiful lyrics, the acoustic guitar, great beats and the occasional rap makes Ed Sheeran one of my favorite artists.

It turns out, Ed is a 24 year old ginger covered in tattoos, and I love him for it. He worked so hard to get where he is and he stayed true to the sound he loves. Not many artists can say that. I've bought both of his CDs and pulled some impressive covers from YouTube. I just want more, he's an artist I don't get sick of listening to over and over again.

You know you've become a real fan when you delve into their personal lives and want to actually get to know them and learn what motivates them. I reached this point when I began following him on Instagram and Twitter. He's not only an amazing artist, he's a genuinely cool person (it seems like). He's besties with Taylor Swift and a ton of other great artists, he loves cats and he can be very sassy. I like watching his interviews because he's so real in them. He's not putting up a facade, he's just being himself and it's so refreshing.

I missed him coming to Atlanta last year when I had first moved, but I was not about to make the same mistake twice. I am ecstatic to see Ed Sheeran live at Philips Arena in Atlanta Saturday, September 12th.

Ed Sheeran is unlike anyone else out there today. His success is so well deserved and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him.

xx Kristen

You should buy both of his CDs immediately but here are some songs to for sure check out:
Drunk - Ed Sheeran
Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran
Wake Me Up - Ed Sheeran
Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Don't - Ed Sheeran

Mermaid

"The cure for anything is saltwater. Sweat, tears or the sea." 

Acrylic paint on canvas. January 2015. 

Top Five Friday

1. LUSH

I love LUSH bath bombs, bubble bars and face masks. I've used them for a while now, but I just recently went to their store to replenish my supply. Pictured here are Sex Bomb, Twilight, Pink Bath Bomb, A French Kiss bubble bar and the fresh face mask Brazened Honey. Order online, or check them out in stores, their staff are always so sweet and helpful!

2. Recipe Box

I got this adorable recipe box from Target this week and it's just so cute! I love anything detailed in gold, so this was a must. The inside has these cute little recipe cards for you to fill out and tabs to keep your recipes ordered by category! Now I just need to find some recipes and learn how to cook...

3. Paper Source

My friend has been telling me to go into Paper Source for months and this week I finally had the chance! I love notebooks and calendars and decorative things, so this store was heaven. I had to keep myself from buying too much, but I did walk away with the mint and gold notebook you see above as well as the very cute "Dream Big" poster. Seriously, if you ever need cute gifts or adorable office supplies, check out Paper Source.

4. Sweetwater 420 Fest

This weekend is Sweetwater 420 Fest, a concert series celebrating Sweetwater Brewery's beer 420. My wristband came in the mail this week and I'm so excited! I'm only going Saturday and it's supposed to be pretty rainy, but there's nothing better than good music, beer and friends!

5. Age of Adeline

Although not pictured, my last Friday favorite is the movie Age of Adeline. It comes to theaters April 24th, but my friends and I got to see it early and for free thanks to Regal. Since it's not out yet, we had to check our cellphones at the door, very strange feeling. The movie was delightful though! Blake Lively was stunning as always and the rest of the cast were just as enjoyable to watch. I think it's definitely worth a trip to the theater to see. It reminded us slightly of Benjamin Button with the narrator aspect. Here's the trailer if you haven't seen in yet: Age of Adeline 

Have a great Friday! Let me know, what are your favorite LUSH products?!

xx Kristen

9 Tips For Decorating Your Office Desk

 Make your office cubicle feel more like home with these tips! We spend so much time at the office and staring at the same gray walls can make the day seem so much worse. Add your own personality to your boring cubicle to facilitate creativity and to inspire you to work harder!

1. Add height. 

If you have no room to spread out, add more space by creating shelves. This is a file organizer from Target that I turned on its side. 

2. Keep your hands happy.

I like to keep hand sanitizer, lotion and chapstick at my desk. Working in an office can really dry out your hands and lips. It's nice to have these close by when I need them. 

3. Drink up. 

Keeping a cup full of water or a water bottle at your desk helps you drink more water throughout the day! I also have a coffee cup and tea at my desk in case I want to brew a cup. 

4. Keep your loved ones close.

Keeping pictures of friends and family can really brighten your mood. It's nice to be reminded of the people you love and the good times you've had with them.  

5. Go green.

Add some green to your desk with small plants or succulents! These don't need a lot of water or direct sunlight. I set the small potted plant in a decorative dip bowl from Target to dress it up. 

6. Personalize your space.

It's those personal touches that really go a long way. I keep my pens and highlighters in a decorative coffee mug so they're nearby, but also because it adds a decorative element. You can also see gold accents with both the K and the rectangular dish where I keep odds and ends. It's the small details like these that can really pull your desk together.  

7. Make taking notes fun.

Forget the boring legal pads, opt for some cute notebooks that you'll be proud to have on your desk! 

8. Stay organized with a calendar. 

Having a small desk calendar really helps me stay organized and keeps me from missing any deadlines. I prefer having it on my desk so I can write things on it when I need to, but hanging it would be another great option. 

9. Tune them out.

I stay focused by listening to music while I work. It's a necessity to me! I wish I had better headphones honestly, I'm saving up for some cute Bose ones that go over my ear. However, until then my pink earbuds keep me sane in a sometimes loud office.  Although not really decorations, they can be fun and functional and look great on your desk! 

It’s all about mixing functionally with personal and beautiful details! What are some tips you have for decorating your office desk? I'm always looking for more inspiration! 

xx Kristen 

Atlanta Adventures: Braves Opening Weekend

I was worried going into this season as a Braves fan. We sent away just about every player on our team that I knew in an effort to rebuild our team and prepare for the opening of our new stadium in a few years. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how well the Atlanta Braves have been playing!

It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday. The weather could not have been more beautiful and my friend Allie organized an impressive tailgate. We had Chickfila, beer pong, cookies, corn hole and music. Spending the day hanging out with your friends and then watching the Braves beat the Mets 5-3 is a pretty fantastic day.

I can’t wait to see how this season goes for my Braves and I’m looking forward to getting to know this new team! This is why we chop!

xx Kristen

Sam Hunt Concert

Sam Hunt with Michael Ray - Stegman Coliseum - Athens, Georgia - 10 April 2015

The University of Georgia is truly a place like no other. Who else could bring one of country’s next big artist to their college basketball stadium for one of the coolest concerts I’ve seen in a long time. Athens, Georgia has a great music scene attracting all different genres to their city.

The opening band was Michael Ray who has his single KissYou in the Morning out on the radio. Even though I didn’t know any of his other songs, I was very impressed and I’ll be checking him out for sure.  The coolest part was when they had two UGA football payers come up on stage and lead the crowd in calling the dawgs.

Sam Hunt was amazing! You can really tell that he was enjoying himself up on stage and the energy in the room was palpable. He played all of the songs off his debut album Montevallo and did some classic covers. 

He’s a new kind of country; he has some heavy rock and rap influences that really speak to this generation. He does have some stripped back songs, but his sound is definitely something new and a trend I’m sure will continue for country music.

His two guitarists were also very impressive. They were high energy and immensely talented. They each got little guitar solos during a few different songs and it was nice to see that Sam valued their talent and wanted them to show it off.

About halfway through the concert they brought out some stools and Sam and his two guitarists all grabbed acoustic guitars. Then they did something really cool. Sam said that the three of them lived in Nashville together as roommates and used to get out their guitars and just hang out and play songs together. He’d been opening up for a lot of country bands, only getting about a 30 minute set, so he was excited that he had more time to do a few different things. The three of them sat there and played some classic country songs, a few random pop ones and even a Whitney Houston song. Saying it was cool doesn’t sound that impressive, but that’s what it was, cool. Just to feel like you were sitting in a living room hanging out and singing along to your favorite songs.

It really was a great concert, different from any I’ve been to before because of the intimate setting, the audience full of UGA students and the fact that he is so new that he can do just about anything he wants up on that stage. You can see that there’s a kind of freedom for musicians during this stage of their career.

I know Sam Hunt is destined for a great career and he’s only going to get bigger. I can’t wait to see more of him in the years to come and to catch him in concert again.

xx Kristen

Listen to Sam: 

Take Your Time - Sam Hunt

House Party - Sam Hunt

Leave the Night On - Sam Hunt

Top Five Friday

1. Future Hearts - All Time Low

Yes, I still buy CDs. A crazy thought for some people, but I enjoy having something physical to hold on to and look at. That being said, I love this CD! I've been waiting for them to release something new for a while and this did not disappoint! This has been one of my favorite bands for the past... eight or so years? It's hard to pick my favorite songs, but you should definitely listen to "Something's Gotta Give" "Kids in the Dark" and "Satellite" to start with. I'm going to see them live in concert at the Masquerade in Atlanta later this month and I am so pumped!

2. Talenti Gelato - Caramel Cookie Crunch

As you can tell from the picture, I have been enjoying this delicious gelato quite a bit! It's almost time for me to run out and get some more. This is by far my favorite ice cream (gelato) to have at home. It's basically vanilla with caramel swirls, chocolate bits and big crunchy chocolate cookie bites!

3. Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones returns (finally!) this Sunday and I can hardly wait! I have officially subscribed to HBO Now and I am prepared for the return of this exciting show. If you haven't watched it and you're wondering, "Is it worth the hype?" I'm here to scream in your face, YES! So get over whatever is stopping you and jump on this amazing bandwagon! I know I'll be frantically texting my best friend Kim about every single scene and death (there will probably be at least 15 in the first episode). You have around three days to binge watch 4 seasons. Winter is Coming.

4. The Masters

Hailing from the great state of Georgia, I have a certain pride for the Masters (which are held in Augusta if you didn't know). I've gotten into golf quite a bit over the past couple of years. I've played a few rounds with my brother and I even took golf as my P.E senior year of college. It may seem a bit boring to an outsider, but once you've played you understand just how impressive the sport is. I'm by no means great at golf, but I really enjoy it! I hope to one day attend the Masters, but for now I settle for watching it on my television. Who am I cheering for this year? Bubba Watson (gotta root for the UGA boy), Rory McIlroy and I am quickly becoming very impressed by Jordan Spieth.

5. Painting

This last Friday favorite is more of an activity. I love to paint, but I hadn't done much of it until lately. The past month I've been painting up a storm! I've got a nice little gallery wall going in my apartment. I'm really excited to share some of my favorite pieces on here later! I typically use acrylic paint on basic canvases. I get inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram and just random places. I love making each piece my own, even if I'm using someone else's design. Painting is fun and relaxing for me and I love hanging that finished piece on my wall.


I hope you all have an amazing Friday! Let me know what you've been loving this week!

xx Kristen

Music is Everything

Music is my favorite. It's an explosion of passion, poetry and talent. It can make you feel, make you dream, change your life.

There is nothing greater than hearing a band live in concert. You can just see it in their eyes. Yeah we hear the music, but they are the music. They live it, they bring it to life for us. There is nothing more beautiful than the passion a musician has.

My favorite thing about concerts is when the band plays 'that song' the one everyone knows, the song we've all been waiting for. And for that moment we are all connected. We are all feeling that same energy pulsing through our bodies. It's crazy to think that music can connect you to thousands of people. It's euphoric, it's pure, it's beautiful.

I can't sing, or play an instrument, so I've always been jealous of this one feeling I know I'll never get to experience. I can't even begin to to understand how amazing it must feel to be up there on stage singing a song you wrote, a song you poured your heat into, and hearing a stadium of fans singing your words back at you. Just knowing that this song that means so much to you means means so much to them.  I can only imagine it would be like tunnel vision. Trapped in this beautiful world, this beautiful song, that you helped write. You would feel so safe, so loved. I'm jealous that I'll never feel that warmth.

I wish I could get lost in something the way a singer gets lost in his music. I guess I'll just have to settle for singing along from the crowd.

xx Kristen

Bloglovin

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I just joined Bloglovin! Follow me and other great blogs on there. I'm really looking forward to finding some great blogs to follow, let me know some of your favorites!

xx Kristen

Hello

I’m so indecisive, so it took me forever to pick out a name, a layout and all of the tiny details for this blog. I never thought it would be easy, but everyone makes it look so fun and effortless! I’m pretty happy with how it turned out though. 

I really enjoy writing and expressing my interests and I feel like a blog is the perfect place to do that! I’m not so much shy as I am afraid that I’m not good enough at anything. I feel like a blog is the perfect way to become more open and confident in myself and to document my life and my passions.

I love so many different things and I’m not really sure how to turn it into a career. So you’ll get to experience my post-grad life with me as I gush about music, books, photography, travel, fashion and literally anything else that pops into my head! I don’t know if I’m funny, talented, smart or fashionable, but I guess we’re about to find out!

xx Kristen