Yoga & "Just Anxiety"

This post is going to be a bit more real that my usual ones. So heads up!

Over the last year, I have become obsessed with yoga.

To the point where I almost signed up for a sixth month course to become a yoga instructor. But I would have had to miss the Ole Miss-Georgia game. Ohhhhh no. #priorities

I take classes at Joyflow Yoga in Ridgeland, MS. 

It's a good workout but nothing too serious.

The most positive thing I have gotten from yoga is the affect it has on my attitude and anxiety.

At times my anxiety can get out of control.

I literally make myself sick from being so anxious. Not fun. Not cute.

For example, the morning of our drive to Fernandina.

(the first night of our Islamorada trip we stayed there to break up the drive) 

I was doing fine. I had gotten up, dressed, and ready to go. Then all of the sudden, I started thinking about all of these "what if's"?

What if I get sick from my stomach problems on the ride down there?

I hate being sick at a gas station!

What if it rains the whole time?

It will be a waste of my parent's money!

What if we don't get along with Sally's new boyfriend?

I will def be the reason for that!

What if Gus' eyegunk comes back while we are away?

I can't find his meds!!

I know, I know. First worst problems. White girl problems. Whatever.

All of that raced through my mind in the span of seconds.

I started sweating and getting stomach cramps.

I went into my usual anxiety attack mode and then all of the sudden I got control. 

I went into Cam's office, turned off the lights, and turned on the fan.

Cold air works wonders for me.

For some reason, it just hit me that everything I was feeling and thinking was "just anxiety".

For not-so-anxious people this doesn't seem like a big deal but for an anxiety freak to realize that it's "just anxiety" is HUGE. 

Cam can tell me a hundred times that it's "just anxiety" and I while I appreciate him trying to help I will still continue to panic. 

Anyways, I was in Cam's office in the dark and decided to try a few yoga positions to see if that relieved my stomach pain. 

After only five minutes of basic poses and stretches, I felt a million times better.

Centered. Relaxed stomach. 

No I didn't feel amazing, I was still kind of shaky but my breathing and stomach were much calmer. 

But still. Just knowing that yoga can help me control my anxiety and it's side effects is amazing. 

Success!!

Well I think that's enough about me and my issues.

I highly recommend trying yoga if you have some of the same issues that I do.

It's good for you.

To anyone reading in Jackson, I love taking classes at Joyflow and would love to have you join me!

I have also tried Jillian Micheals' yoga workout dvd. I do not recommend. it.

Jillian is a man hoss. 

She is all about making you sweat not so much on the calming and centering.

I recommend following Yoga Journal on Pinterest and downloading Yoga Free on your iPhone or iPad.

They are great to refresh your memory on poses if you are traveling or haven't been to a class in a while. 

I like to do this sequence if I am feeling anxiety coming on.

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Try it sometime! 

My Nephew's 1st Birthday

Last week my darling nephew turned one.

First of all, I literally cannot believe that I am someone's aunt and that that person is now ONE. I feel like he was just born. It's nuts.

Second of all, I LOVE A PARTY. ESPECIALLY A THEMED PARTY!

Jack's party was absolutely adorable!

It was a candy themed party called "Jack's Sweet Shoppe". The invitation was so sweet! Ha :) 

"Regrets to the Sugar Mama" Love it.

I have always admired my sister-in-law's taste but she blew me away with this party.

I think it was the attention to detail that got me the most. So precious!

The birthday boy with his sweet mama and grandparents.

The entrance to their house. Love this sign! 

It was made specially for Jack by Celebration Yard Candy in Tyler, TX. 

CUTE stuff!

 Love their giant storks. 

LOVE.

The candy bar. 

Every detail is covered from the table cloth to the personalized banner to the individual description tags on the candy. 

Personalized stickers on each candy bag that read "Thank you for making my birthday so sweet!"

The drink station featured "Sugar Mama's Sweetheart Cocktails" and personalized cups that said "Jack is one!".

I love personalized cups for a children's birthday party. 

Hart Hopkins family in Waycross, GA dominated the birthday cups every year when I was growing up! 

It was a very common occurrence as a child to visit any of my friend's houses and be served a drink in one of the several cups from any of Hart's birthday parties. 

Snacks, goodies, and another really cute set up. 

Big kids playing. Even the swing set was decorated. 

More party goers and super cute lanterns!

Sweet Baby Jack enjoyed his cake!

So sad that he won't be a baby for much longer but I can't wait for more precious parties like this one as he grows up. 

Monday's Must Have

I first stumbled on to Amanda Sterett's jewelry at Bridgette's in Tyler, Texas last year. Tyler has great shopping!

Her earrings are my fave. Just stunning. I fell in love. 

When I got back to Jackson, I started stalking Amanda Sterett's website and I was sold.

Not only does she design all of the pieces herself, she also teaches refugee women the art of jewelry making so that they can earn money. Such a beautiful thing to do. Brings tears to my eyes as I'm typing.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from her fall 2012 collection.

Rose Earring 

Chloe Earring

Bennett Earring

Parker Earring

Girl Crush

Allison Williams of Girls on HBO

Currently obsessing over Allison Williams this week. She was my favorite from the Emmy's last week.

LOVED her make up. LOVED!

If you want to read more about how to get Allison's Emmy look, click here. 

She just seems like such a sweet, normal girl that you could watch Bravo with. 

And she's gorgeous and has a great, timeless style. 

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5 Things I Love - What I'm Listening To

Lana Del Ray "Video Games"

Robyn "Dancing on my Own"

Mumford & Sons "Babel"

Gary Clark Jr. "Bright Lights"...you're going to know his name...

Best guitarist of our generation. Watch the whole video. TRUST ME BITCHES.

How cool does the crowd look in the reflection of his shades?

Tres cool

Beats Antique "Egyptic"

Cam and I are in that crowd somewhere.

Wild about Old Navy

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Old Navy is really stepping up their game. For years I wouldn't even bother going in there. Now it's almost one stop shopping.

I scored big time on basics this week at Old Navy.

I got a few pieces that I can mix, match, and layer with other pieces.

You HAVE to check out the Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans.

They are regularly $34.94 but they are marked down to $19.

They are SUPER skinny though.
If you are ordering online, I would order your normal pants size and then another pair a size up just to be safe.

Def try them on if you are shopping in the store.

Also, I did not purchase the leopard tunic but I got in the cardigan version which is not available online instead.
Super cute though.

So happy to have a few basics for this beautiful fall weather.

Even though it almost got up to 90 degrees yesterday, I am choosing to ignore that.

Ole Miss -Tulane Weekend

Started the trip off with Strawberry Balsamic ice cream at the Bourbon House. 

Followed Lazer down Bourbon Street to Razzoo. 

Ran into this sweet girl on the way!

Did a little dancing with a Bachelorette party. In my defense, the bride-to-be was SIGNING (as in sign language) the words to Justin Beiber and Carly Rae Jepsen.

 Impressive and cute!

Headed back to hotel to freshen up and head to a surprise party.

I ate my first legit macaroon at the party. YUM!

The next morning we ordered room service and headed the Superdome bright and early!

and we WON! Hotty Toddy!!

After the game we went to Manning's for a few drinks and then back to Razzoo. After a while, we realized that we were too tired for the way this night was headed so we left.

We walked around for a while trying to decide where to eat or what to do.

I explained the significance of a vintage LV suitcase to Cam. 

And we listened to a little music...

We walked around for a while trying to decide where to eat or what to do.

Then, we had the best idea ever!

Head to Domenica!

Of course their tables were booked for the next three hours but the hostess said we could wait by the bar for a table there.

SCORE!

There was the perfect table for two overlooking the restaurant.

Meant to be!

We had the BEST time together.

I have the best husband. I absolutely adore him.

We just talked and ate and ate and ate.

We started with the Charcuterie with prosciutto, dried salami, and duck live pate. 

Ohhh the pate was amazing!!

Then we had gnocchi with duck, cream, and toasted almonds. It melted in your mouth.

We ended this feast with a half spicy lamb meatball and half white pizza.

We woke up on Sunday feeling refreshed and recharged after our early Saturday night.

We were so proud of our mature decision to head to dinner for two instead of staying at Razzoo's with the shot girls. 

I told Cam that our new found maturity must be because I'm 25 now.

Obviously.  

To end this awesome weekend, my sister-in-law Mary-Baldwin sent me the MOST precious pic of our nephew Jack in tie dye.

Absolutely adorable!