SXSW & Other Happenings

So sorry for no posts the past two weeks!  I guess I've been busy, huh?  Let's see, what to fill you in on...

Well, work has been crazy busy!  The Austin hotel industry takes a hard, yet prosperous punch during the South By Southwest Interactive, Film and Music Festival.  Things are slowly getting back to normal - at least for March.  Late winter/spring is always the time busiest for us.  Lots of conferences, weddings, family vacations, romantic getaways, SXSW and various smaller festivals such as Psych Fest, Reggae Fest and Eeyore's Birthday.

I actually got to go downtown and experience the music portion of SXSW for a couple of days last week.  Unfortunately I had no celebrity sightings!  I was so disappointed considering I was reading and hearing of all these amazing celebs invading the city - IAN SOMERHALDER!!, Justin Timberlake, Alexander Skarsgard, Paul Rudd, Anna Kendrick, Usher, Prince, Shaq, Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, the dude that plays Lip on Shameless and many more.  I did get to see some amazing live and FREE shows though including Brendan Benson, The Thermals, The Joy Formidable, Today Is The Day and Jason's cousin's band, The Longshots.  I walked all over the city and got some pretty gnarly blisters on my heels thanks to my combat boots.  At one point, Jason and I were eating and walking in one synchronized act across the city as fast as we could to catch some performances at the Brooklyn Vegan Day Party.  It was draining, crowded and a little annoying at times, but even still, much fun was had.  It brought back memories of the time me, Heather, Taylor and Jessica talked Heather's mom into taking us to Austin for SXSW back in 2006.  We got into every single show we wanted to with only a few lines to wait in, and we were only 17!  It was such a blast and definitely makes for some of my fondest looks back into the past.

I finally caught up on The Vampire Diaries and watched my first live episode last Thursday.  It makes me sad that I have to wait a whole week to see what happens next!  I'm so used to being able to just move right on to the next episode.  However, it does kind of make Thursday nights a treat for me.  :)

My dad and Rebecca are coming up to spend some time with Jason and I on Thursday and Friday so I'm definitely looking forward to that!  I don't think I've seen them since Christmas which is ludicrous.

If you've never been to SXSW, I encourage you to check out some of these pictures to give you an idea of what goes on: SPIN's Best Live SXSW Photos

Until next time, friends.

xoxo

Playlist Post: March 2013

It is with much happiness and excitement that I present you with yet another monthly playlist!  Last month I had a near-record breaking number of views which means you guys must like my music selections!  You have no idea what that means to me because music is one of my life's great passions.  It always has been and always will be.  I was blessed to be born into a family that adores and celebrates music on a daily basis.  Many thanks to my Nana and Pop for introducing me to Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Tom Jones, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, among many others.  Thanks to my dad for getting me into '80s hair metal and '90s grunge rock.  Thanks to my mom for instilling within me the importance/influence of a great R&B and/or hip-hop track.  Thanks to my Meme and Papa for reminding me where all great contemporary artists get their roots and sound from - the forever-mesmerizing Everly Brothers.  And thank you to my aunt Kandace for the cherished memories of her singing her heart out and strumming that guitar around anyone who would listen.  Music is everything...at least to me.

A Sweet Celebration of Love

Well, Helen and Corey's wedding celebration came and went so quickly!  It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating their engagement at Peche downtown.  I had been looking forward to this wedding for months because I knew Helen would make sure it was the classiest of all affairs, and it truly was.  Both the ceremony and the reception took place at The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  It was a beautiful and breathtaking venue, the weather was perfect (a tad on the chilly side but we weren't outdoors for very long) and the food was delicious - catered by Whole Foods.  It was such a treat getting to meet their families and other friends and to catch up with Krista and Kyle, who we don't get to see too often because they live in San Francisco.  Some of my favorite parts of the wedding include Helen's signature cocktail (Pimm's Cup), the table centerpieces (little finished wooden boxes filled with succulents made by Corey's grandfather), the tiny pecan, lemon and buttermilk pies for dessert, and, of course, the visible ora of happiness that surrounded both Corey and Helen the entire evening.  I am so glad I got to be a part of the celebration of this new union between two wonderful people.