Moving Forward and Looking Back

Is it odd that I miss my first blog? For all intents and purposes, this one is almost identical. Still, it isn't the same... It is like making a new friend after another has gone away; as much as you cherish and appreciate what is fresh and new, so much of you remains tied to the original. So it is here... I suppose I thought that I could just start over with this blog... make a fresh start... but, I miss the original Wild Magnolia. So, I am hoping to find someone to work the kinks out for me so I can bring it back to life. If you have any suggestions, I would welcome them... Now, I'm off to see what can be done to bring this space back to life...

XOXO

image found on pinterest

A Beautiful Bachelorette

There is something about the bonds that we share with our friends that are simply unlike any other relationships in our lives. Brandie and I were destined from the very beginning to be best friends, and since our first meeting 8 years ago, we have been confusing people with our Randi Nichole and Brandie Nicole introductions. She is the kindest, most genuine person I have ever known and being around her has a way of reviving my spirit. No matter how long we are apart, and despite the fact that we cannot talk as often as we'd like, she is such a crucial part of my life. Well, next month, she will walk down the aisle and marry the love of her life. It's been such a beautiful journey for her, and it has been remarkable to be a part of it all. My friend is marrying an incredible man, and in all honesty, I adore him. He loves her and cherishes her and treats her the way all men should treat the women in their lives. They are truly blessed beyond measure and being a part of this process gives me hope for us all. 

This weekend, a small group of us traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to celebrate Brandie's bachelorette weekend. It was not your "typical" bachelorette party. It was relaxed, calm and perfect. We spent time at the pool, soaking up the sunshine before spending the remainder of the day at the spa. The entire weekend was meant to give us all the time to catch up and be pampered. Then, we had an incredible sushi dinner and rounded out the night with hours of girl-talk. It was exactly what we all needed; a chance to soak up every bit of time we could together because those moments are not frequent enough. It was a lovely time and I came home feeling rejuvenated in every way and incredibly blessed for such a beautiful friendship...

Randi Nichole and Brandie Nicole

Image Here

Boo, You Whore!

 

You know... you would think that upon approaching your 10 year high school reunion, everyone would have grown up and discovered that life is not high school. Actually, in many ways, it is very similar but still; we are not teenagers anymore. Well, I did not go to high school with anyone here, but that's beside the point. In any case, I just had an all too familiar experience with people being far different than they seem. I probably should not have been so naive and would have, in turn, not been so caught off guard by the proverbial slap in the face. Alas, I was caught off guard and now I am one part disappointed in them, one part disappointed in myself, and a whole lot of angry. I guess this is just a reminder. Never be so quick to take people at face value. There is always something to learn. I'm just going to take this as a lesson to keep my eyes open...

 

I have a lot of random thoughts bouncing around in my mind today, so... what better place to let them out but here... I mean, that is what we do here isn't it? So, here it is... exactly what I'm thinking in this moment...

• Some people are just crazy, I mean seriously deranged. Really, everyone (myself included) has a bit of insanity coursing through them; but some people take that little nugget and run with it. And, all too often, I get the distinct privilege of listening to an exorbitant amount of insignificant drama professed by people who really should just be sent to an extended stay psychiatric facility. Yay me...
• I want a tattoo... have for awhile. Unfortunately, I just found out Monday that what I always wanted is too big for my little foot. Fantastic... You know, because it's so easy to just find something that you want inked on your body for the rest of your existence...
• I have the best friends ever. I feel like it is not a "what's on my mind" post without adding that in somewhere.
• For someone who is always single, I am never lacking someone to talk to or drag along to a continuous stream of parties and weddings. I am pretty sure, however, that this actually makes me insanely masochistic; considering that I start these relationships with the full intent of not getting attached, yet I always do. And, still...it continues...
• I want a bicycle. Really. I have convinced myself that if I had one, I would actually ride it. And, then, I would carry it up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without complaint. I'm going to think this one through a bit more...
• If I hadn't been born with the sorriest excuse for knees ever created, I just know I would have been an insane hip-hop dancer. I mean, I've got some serious moves for a white girl from the South. Also note that where I come from, we consider Weezy F. Baby as our next of kin regardless of how obviously Irish/Italian we may be... Anyway, watching Step Up 3 as I dressed for work this morning basically reinforced my conviction that I totally missed my calling to dance in ultimate dance battles! 
• I want a crock-pot... anyone know how legit the Skinny Crockpot Girls website is? Are those really "skinny" recipes or is it faux-skinny? I have a hard time believing anything is actually going to keep me from ballooning unless Bethenny Frankel endorses it. Skinny Girl Margarita anyone???
• One of my best friends is having her bachelorette party this weekend; at a casino, on a beach, where I don't have to leave the hotel ever... I'd like to think I'm not going to make a fool of myself but considering that I'm basically THAT friend... the odds are certainly not in my favor in regard to not getting lost or passing out in some public place...
• My clothes rack that serves as both extra storage and room decor fell over today... That should probably tell me something. Yet, I am still waiting to hear back about the arrival of the nude wedges that I can't seem to live without...Is it still considered hording if you wear them all???
• Fractured toes are about as cool as they sound... even cooler when you were born to defy everything (including your own body) and wear heels anyway... Who's smart? This girl...
• I always feel super sassy in this necklace...
• I put a little statue of Buddha on my coffee table today, and I must say... I feel significantly more grown up now...

Image found here

Image via Pinterest

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

HI DOLLS!

What are your plans for the weekend?

ME?

Well... I'm just going to be hanging around this little ray of sunshine.

I mean, seriously?!

That smile...

That nose...

Those chubby little arms...

Can you blame me for being completely in love?!

Happy weekend friends!!

XoXo

KONY2012

Everything I know about Kony and the LRA is because Quincee is a rockstar and is changing the world one little heart at a time. So, it moves me so much to know that the horror happening in Africa is now front and center in the media and in the minds of everyone around the world. Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army must be stopped. For more information about how to help or what this movement is all about, check out The Nameless Project and Invisible Children. There is no place for this kind of evil in our world and it cannot be overlooked any longer...

TAKE ACTION!!!

Life Latey...

 

The past weekend was a pretty quiet and a much-needed break after so many changes that have taken place at the office. On Friday, I met some of my favorite people for margaritas after work and let myself unwind and simply enjoy the company. Aside from that, I packed away all of my winter clothes despite a little cold snap that we experienced on Saturday, and I finally taught myself how to successfully create a fishtail braid! That was probably the highlight of my weekend right there... Then, as is our custom, S and I sat at the coffee shop on Sunday reading and chatting and enjoying the close of such a beautiful weekend... I finally finished "Catching Fire" and I cannot even express how much I love it. After not having much time for reading lately, I was glad to be lost in a book again. Now, I'm into the final book of the Hunger Games trilogy... Mockingjay... As thrilled as I am to see what happens,

I am going to be devastated when the story ends...

Don't you love books that are that well written??