Loss of blogging motivation- It's technically Music Monday

So I haven't been on the blog in a little while. Partly because I've been on vacation, and partly because I have to find a spark to write about something.  I'm interested in absolutely everything. I love shoes, I love literature ( even though I don't read like I should) I like working out and I love writing. So I guess I will take a little page from my mom's book of wisdom, and write three great things about today.

- I went to the chiropractor today. My doctor cleared me to start lifting slowly again, including squatting. Clearly lifting 105 lb WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA, without a better progression. Also personal experience advice I've learned from feeling like I have a slipped disc in my back( which by the way I did not it just felt like it) 1

• Stretch before and after you work out, yes do it. 
• Only PR one rep, until you build up.
• If you feel any pain anywhere(other than natural- well these pushups suck pain) STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
• Try not to learn your limits, know your limits. 
• Always have someone watch you when you are lifting more than what you have lifted before. It is always good to have someone there even if you are lifting a routine weight. Safety first!

- I had a wonderful dinner tonight, and also made my dad a healthy lunch. Going to Fresh Market with my mom was the highlight of my day. Yes it was. The food is literally beautiful, and the atmosphere is WAY better than any Walmart. We only go there for specialty items like Apple Chips, Chicken Kabobs, London Broil Steak, and a special dinner sometimes.

• Dinner
• - Chicken kabobs, fresh corn on the cob, fresh strawberries and blueberries, a bottle of water!
• Lunch
•  Chicken salad with cucumbers, and fresh corn, protein shake

- What did I learn today:
Sometimes you can't worry about the future. Just focus on the present. Change the sad Pandora station, and listen to trashy Saving Abel Pandora station if you have to (I love them!)

One day at a time.

Next on the blog: What my Fourth of July means, and my trip to the White House

My childhood

My childhood was filled with fields, braids, running down a road lined with open fields and farms, four wheeling, the high school track, ice cream cones, and sitting on the front porch with my grams. It's my first time back in my moms small town since my grandma died. 

There is a sense of comfort, but also a sense of emptiness. I know my grams is looking down on me and saying I better make the bed before I leave the house. This place reminds me of happy memories, tons of laughs, and some sorrow. I know not to be sad because my grams would not want me to be, so instead I am sitting on the front porch enjoying the sunshine. 

The gun range and a crisp white dress shirt

Here's a recap of my Father's Day weekend:

-grace and I  took dad to the gun range Saturday because it's closed Sundays. My dad is basically mister America as I like to call him. He's in the"eagle club" has an eagle on his chest, and is a firm believer in the second amendment. I got to shoot a 22 among other handguns. I was proud when I finally got the target ( in the neck by the way) 

- we took dad dress shirt shopping.. And I had to take a trip to Victoria secret. I'm a very thin girl and was glad that I got new support in tan black and pink:) 

- we also stopped at h&m. I like their accessories and shoes.. But some of their things(most of) don't fit me well. The concept of the store is great, but I would rather stick to stuff that will last. Though I do have to say I have gotten a few cute going out pieces there. 

-cold water creek is my moms favorite store. Sadly they are going out of business. They were having a super sale and I bought a very nice dress shirt in a light purple color. I LOVE it. I also bought a grey striped tunic to fulfill my preppy need. I felt very east coast. 

-Sunday my parents and I took the Harley's for a ride and went our to breakfast. We then all vegged out and watched orange is the new black( I think dad is even getting into it.) 

- since it's #musicmonday my dedication to it would have to be Sharp Dressed Man by zz top. It sef suits my dad's personality and love for good music. 

#TunesTuesday

So really it's supposed to be #MusicMonday, but I missed an entry yesterday. I will try to do a music post every week. For me music goes with everything. You can find music that fits your every mood, and every activity. My mom never understood why I was bad at math, but knew all the words to the songs on the radio!

Today is pretty icky out, it's going to rain all week, and I am having a marathon of Orange is the New Black. When I am not binge watching Neflix, I use Pandora while I answer emails, or scan through Polyvore.

I am currently listening to Citizen Cope radio. It's great for chill days, and there is a huge variety.

You know it ain't easy
For these thoughts here to leave me
No words to describe it
In French or in English
'Cause diamonds, they fade
And flowers, they bloom
And I'm tellin' you

Read more: Santana - Sideways Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

I've always loved Santana and how much soul is put into the music. I also love the collaboration that Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20 did with him.

What are some of your favorite Pandora stations?

(photo courtesy: Flicker)

Seemingly Simple Feature

Here's a little fact..

I love reading other blogs! Some of my favorites are J'sEverdayFashion, RealSimple Blog, multiple Tumblr blogs, and as of a few weeks ago Seeming Simple.

Seemingly Simple features design, food, life, photo, and style. What I like about the blog is that it is honest. They don't feature done up fashion entries, with masked on lipstick and mascara, they give you tips on how to still feel fashionable and functional. In the entry, 8 Style Tips for the Simple & Non-morning Girls, I added a few tips on how to get wrinkles out when I am trying to brush my teeth, and how to save time in the morning. Liz has definitely mastered the "carefree" look.

The design section is what I really like. I am not the biggest fan of graphic design, well just because I'm not. What I have learned as a PR student and future employee so far is that I will stand out with some graphic knowledge and it is basically essential, to know some design techniques. I have to be able to create simple things, and that is what the design section has done. In the entry Handy Design Sites, I was able to find a list of practical and basic websites to help me navigate a confusing(at least for me) topic. Thanks Kelly for your help:)

I took Intro to Photo in my Junior year and really enjoyed it. Though I don't take photo classes anymore, I still love taking pictures.  I have noticed (at least on my Facebook timeline) that everyone nowadays has a photo business or is an amateur photographer.
When I was in class, I definitely tried to not use Photoshop or Adobe anything. I feel like if you don't have to edit, don't. Sometimes it is needed though. In the entry, 6 Things to Remember While Taking Portraits, Taylor lists tips on what helps her create a beautiful image without taking away from the person she is working with.

Food. Everyone loves it.
I made stuffed peppers the other night. I used my mom's cookbook, and a little inspiration from Jessie's post Stuffed Green Peppers to make an incredibly yummy meal. Green peppers can be stuffed with anything, and I am trying to get my family to eat healthier. (Even dad loved the recipe! )

Home is where the heart is, I've always believed that. Andrea captured this in her entry Adventures Home, not only is she grateful for a wonderful Mother's Day spent with mom, she talks about her favorite burger joints, and capturing her road trips adventures.



I look forward to reading more posts by these lovely ladies! To read up on all of their posts head here- http://www.seemingly-simple.com/

Until Next Time,

Trisha

You've Never Met a Ranger Fan...

until you've met the Larkin family.

[I decided to switch over to Blogger from Weebly because I felt like it was easier, and have used it before. She's Making Banana Pancakes will be under construction for a while, but I decided to make a post today anyways.]

My family has lived everywhere. I (along with my older twin sister) was born in Manhattan NYC. We have lived all across the United States, and my parents now reside in Alabama. The state of Alabama is full of passionate football fans everywhere. The University of Alabama, and it's rival Auburn line stores, fuel bbq arguments, and overtake the radio once the season starts. Heck, they take high school football here as close to, if not number two to church.

.... our family skipped church to go to our 6 am practices, drove home at 10 am or 5pm from a mid day championship game. I played hockey starting at age 5 going until the age of about 20. Hockey is in our blood. It just is.

SO when the NEW YORK RANGERS made the 2014 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWENTY YEARS( yeah, don't mind the capital letters, I did cry and scream when they won) we were all excited. Not only did it remind me of what hockey means to me, but what hockey can do for people.

Hockey helped me get through a lot of things in my life, I can't explain what it feels like to play with a group of people that will carry you on their back, and you will do anything for. The New York Rangers have been supportive of both Martin St. Louis, and John Moore in the time of tragedy. The CITY of New York is incredible. Madison Square Garden is like no other, and in fact when I got to visit MSG for the first time, and look up into the rafters (before it was remodeled) I had tears in my eyes. Rangers are a different kind of hockey team, and at MSG, it's different here.

 

(My sister and I at MSG)