Sight | May 8 – 11

by natalietate on May 23, 2012

Still working on my photo-a-day project!

1. How can you not love this unicorn painting? 2. Quite possibly the cutest store I’ve been to in a while, the Country Gardens Nursery & Eden Gift Shop at the Agricenter. 3. An entire WALL of candles. I’m pretty sure we smelled every single one.

4. Senior Expo! Just a typical day at work. 5. Came into the office and found this on my desk the next morning. Our department had won some kind of healthy workgroup award, and this was our prize! 6. Cherry Limeade love.

 

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Sight | Wordless | Cinco de Mayo

by natalietate on May 21, 2012

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Sight | April 29 – May 3

by natalietate on May 10, 2012

 

That puppy is up for adoption, her name is Kiko. Happy Birthday to Flava Dave!

Magic Eye at the Gilmore, if you look closely you may see a radiator! Setting up for the opening day of the Church Health Center/MIFA Farmers Market! You should probably stop by on your lunch hour next Tuesday. Fuel Food Truck was there! (With Tillamook Chedder, the best.)

And so was YoLo! Wednesday was the Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence’s annual conference. The focus this year was on social media. Finally, the sun setting on Madison Avenue.

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Sight | Collage | April 23 – 28

by natalietate on May 7, 2012

Row 1: Green Flash from Sekisui Midtown (Midori, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, Sweet & Sour), top secret classified info, Antique Warehouse Mall on Summer (my new favorite store)

Row 2: Kickball — of course, good face pyramid, my new little friend

Row 3: Strawberry champagne, black hearted sparkles, Rambutans from the Farmer’s Market on Winchester.

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Brain Candy | Currently Reading

by natalietate on May 5, 2012

2012 Reading Challenge

2012 Reading Challenge
Natalie has
read 7 books toward her goal of 30 books.
hide

I like to think I read a decent amount of books. In 2010 I read 50 books and in 2011 I read 27 books. (Which is admittedly not as great, but considering it was my senior year of college I’m pretty proud!) This year, my goal is a 30 books in 2012. As you can see, I’m already 3 books behind but don’t worry, I got this. You won’t find me reading Twilight or Shades of Gray here, but I did enjoy the first Hunger Games book! True confession? I didn’t finish the second book and I still haven’t read the third. Sorry I’m not sorry. I’ll get to it eventually. Love triangles just aren’t my thing, I guess?

Here’s a breakdown of my current bookshelves:

A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady - Just finished this before my New Orleans trip, which is perfect because that’s where the story takes place! I have a (slight) obsession with cozy mysteries, and this fit the bill perfectly. It’s the first in a series about pastry chef Rita Lucero who finds herself in New Orleans after the death of her almost-ex husband.

What Color is Your Parachute? 2012 by Richard Bolles – Currently Reading. This is the classic job seeker book, but I think it’s good for anyone who wants to learn more about themselves.

MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche – 3/4 of the way done and I LOVE this book! It’s got me laughing out loud and nodding my head, because I can totally relate to Rachel’s search for a BFF! It’s not easy to make friends in a new city, especially after college. Rachel’s memoir follows her year-long project of 52 friend-dates and her search for a new best friend.

Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle - This is number 4 in the Coffeehouse Mystery series. I started reading this back in February and I’ve taken an (extended) break from the series. This is yet another cozy mystery, however unlike the first 3 books which take place in New York City, this installment is set in the Hamptons. I’m about 1/3 of the way through and so far it’s been kind of ho-hum for me.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling - On my to-read list! Celebrity autobiography/memoirs are really hit or miss for me, so I’m kind of hesitant to start this book. I’ve heard it’s hilarious though!

Onward by Howard Schultz - Another book on my to-read list. I feel like I’ve had this on my list for years, but it was published last March! It’s a long one, and non-fiction can be a challenge for me to get through, but I am interested in learning more about the evolution of Starbucks.

What are you reading now?

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Sight | Collage | April 14 – 22

by natalietate on May 4, 2012

Including: Piñata eggs, birthday celebration aftermath, Pfunky Griddle Brunch (all in Nashville!), my discovery of Netflix, Central BBQ nachos, summer sundresses, Starbucks, parking fail, strange statues, Downtown Farmers Market, the Southern Hotwing Festival and my new obsession with Siracha.

I really like how I didn’t actually take any pictures of the wings we ate, but at least I’ve memorialized our $5 airbrush tattoos! Totally worth it. :)

It’s officially spring in Memphis.

This weekend: Music Fest (not attending….the one year it’s not supposed to rain! Of course.), Dick Dale show, Zombie Prom dress shopping, CINCO DE MAYO!

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Sight | Instagram | April 10 – 14

by natalietate on April 25, 2012

Almost caught up on all my Instagram photo of the days!

10. Tuesday – Cayyyyute!

Cayyyyuuute! #nook I'm such a book need.

I’m such a book nerd. Or a Nook nerd? Either way I love this case for my Simple Touch. BTW, have you seen the new Nook that has a GlowLight? It’s like a built-in book light and the whole thing glows in the dark for night time reading. I love it! (I just got a regular clip-on light for mine, works fine for me!)

11. Wednesday – Just a typical day at work.

Just a typical day at work.

I have no comment other than this trashed my back for the next week or so.

11. Wednesday – Lunch hour traffic SUCKS.
Lunch hour traffic SUCKS.

11. Wednesday – Sushi? Let me get my MAYO.

Sushi? LET ME GET MY MAYO @sixx123

Just to clarify: that is not my sushi. Or my hand. We ordered from Mulan (auto play music), yes they spell Midtown with 2 ‘d’s, that is most definitely full-fat, real life mayo.

12. Thursday – Thanks, fortune cookie!
Thanks, fortune cookie!

13. Friday – Friday Meetings.

Friday meetings.

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Sight | Iphonography | NOLA

by natalietate on April 23, 2012

Here’s what didn’t make it to Instagram!

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Embarrassing bathroom self-shot at Subway that I know my mother will appreciate. (Hi mom!)

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Helpful aside from the fact that there were at least 2 different 4th floor elevators. Parking for 4 days was less than $40. No, I will not spill the beans on where this garage is located. Sorry bout it.

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I’ll give you one guess as to what that is. It’s from Central Grocery. If you said a muffletta, you were so right. (I’d accept heaven in your mouth or omgamazing as correct answers too.) We ate along the river and it was absolutely perfect.
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Priorities at the Freret Street Festival: photographing beverages rather than the festival itself. The correct pronunciation of Freret is still unknown, but they put on a great street festival! Lessons learned: Dat Dog is amazing and I must go to the actual restaurant next time I’m in town, (delicious) margaritas and 85+ degrees  aren’t always the best mix. Totally worth it though.
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We did manage to see Michael Jackson! Werk it.

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My first Mint Julep. If only it had cost less than $12 and actually tasted good. Lesson learned. We ended up back at the Copper Monkey this night.
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And I Googled Chartreuse! But more importantly, I tried Midori, a melon liquor. It’s lime green and super sweet and I LOVED it.

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We made plans for our Easter Sunday!

IMG 1345And I hung out with sharks….

IMG 1354Seahorses…

IMG 1357Found a frog prince….

IMG 1358A snake puke green Eel….

IMG 1360and more sharks! Sorry, I really love aquariums.

IMG 1364On our way out of town we stopped at the Parkway Bakery and Tavern for po’boys! They were so so so so good and totally worth the failed attempt we had made the day before on Easter Sunday. (Note to self, most places that aren’t brunch will be closed on Easter Sunday and/or Sundays in general in New Orleans. Maybe call before you take the streetcar & walk a mile next time.)

Dan ordered the Surf & Turf which had slow-cooked roast beef topped with roast beef gravy and fried shrimp. I was strange and ordered a caprese poor boy. They were both SO. GOOD.

I’m sad our mini-vacation is over but I’m glad we were able to take this trip! We followed up with a mini road-trip to Nashville the following weekend for a surprise birthday party, which was a blast. When can I go on my next vacation?

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Sight | New Orleans | Instagram | April 6 – 9

by natalietate on April 22, 2012

The first look at our New Orleans trip!

6. Friday – Road trip games. See you in 5 hours #NOLA

Road trip games. See you in 5 hours #NOLA

Yes, we played this almost the whole way there. Subway was the winner!

6. Friday – HELLO VACATION

HELLO VACATION

This was taken at the Copper Monkey, a place we loved so much we visited twice! The daiquiri, of course, was from Bourbon. (True confession: I referred to Bourbon St. as Beale St. countless times on this trip. OOPS. Tell no one.)

6. Friday – #nola

#nola

Cute! Taken in our hotel room before our first night out.

7. Saturday – Amen.Amen. #nola

Having too much fun to Instagram on Saturday.

8. Sunday  - NECESSARY.
NECESSARY.

I think this was also at the Copper Monkey? Wish I could tell you, but I’m not good at recognizing floors.

 8. Sunday – Aquarium Trip!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/7057642379_2b9fba2ed6.jpg

We went to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas after breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. YUM, BEIGNETS! Happy Easter!

8. Sunday – Seahorses!

Seahorses!

9. Monday – SO HIPSO HIP. #nola

Snapped this on Saturday night while walking around the French Quarter.

9. Monday – At the aquarium yesterday.at the aquarium yesterday.

This is actually a larger-than-life fountain at the front entrance of the aquarium.

9. Monday – There’s no better welcome home than Central. #MemphisIMG 1370

Truth. BBQ Pork Nachos are a favorite of mine from Central BBQ. And yes, I’ve graduated to eating jalapeños. My dad can’t wrap his head around this dish (just eat the pork!!), and I used to think it sounded disgusting, but I order this more often than not when we stop in to Central.

Okay, that’s it on the Insta front for New Orleans pictures! The majority of what I took with my ‘real camera’ are from Saturday. I didn’t lug it around at night but I think you can imagine what Bourbon looks like on a Friday, right?

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Sight | Instagram | April 2 – 5

by natalietate on April 18, 2012

Finally catching up on Instagrams! Still haven’t gone through the New Orleans photos. I will get there. ONE DAY.

2. Monday – Monday Mornings

Monday mornings.

3. Tuesday – Ridin dirty.Ridin dirty

I finally took my car in for an oil change and to get my brakes looked at! Ended up with a sweet SUV for the afternoon. They’re fun to drive, you feel so big!

3. Tuesday – Omg what a tart.

Omg what a tart.

Amazing mixed berry tart from work.

4. Wednesday – BEST MEETING EVERBEST MEETING EVER

Is this not the cutest baby you have seen in your entire life? She came to visit our office and I died and went to heaven.

Sometimes I get a wonky eye when I’m happy. No shame.

5. Thursday – “It’s only four days,” he said. I just like options, okay?It's only four days, he said. @ganeshsofresh I JUST LIKE OPTIONS OKAY?! @luciakay

Packing for our New Orleans Getaway! So excited I can hardly stand it.

I also have a thing for mismatched patterns.

That’s it for now!

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