Apple of My Eye

Instead of going the traditional route this year and making a pumpkin pie, I opted for an apple pie. This was my first time ever making an apple pie. It was also my first time making pie crust from scratch. And it was even my first time using an apple peeler. Needless to say, I am super excited about this and I can't wait to dig in tomorrow!

The ingredients for the pie crust.

In the works....

The pie recipe.
This is a cookbook that we've had since 1994.
Moms from our elementary school submitted their favorite recipes and then the school compiled a cookbook!

The recipe called for 6 Granny Smith apples, but I ended up only using 5.

I love baking!

Just before adding the rest of the ingredients and the top crust.

Before going in the oven...

...and after!
(Looks a little messy, but a great first attempt!)

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

Give Thanks

It is the most wonderful time of the year! And no, I'm not talking about Christmas. I love Thanksgiving. It is my absolute favorite holiday. I look forward to Thanksgiving all year! Why, you ask? Well.....The food. Family. The weather--generally cold but not freezing. College football rivalry match-ups all weekend. No gifts. No stress. It is perfectly acceptable to take a nap after you feast. And lastly, it is a whole day centered around being thankful. I encourage everyone to enjoy your Thanksgiving and wait until after this wonderful day to start getting caught up in the whirlwind that is the Christmas season. And be sure to tell all the people you care about that you are thankful for them. It is just a few simple words that go a long way. And it's what Thanksgiving is all about.

2015 ? Uhhh....

In a job interview the other day I was asked "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Of course I should have anticipated that question, but I didn't. And it caught me off guard. So I gave a vague answer and a bit of a different approach--I described how I hoped I would feel in five years. Happy, successful, and have opportunities to learn and experience new things. Then I got to thinking, if a friend or family member had asked me the same question, would I have given the same answer? In the past, I would have given a completely different answer. But now, I would have answered similarly to the way I did in the interview. 


Truth be told, this summer I stopped making plans for my future because it only led to incredible disappointment. During my years at the University of Alabama, I met so many wonderful people....one being an incredible guy. We were together for the the last 3 of my 4 years in school and we spent a better part of those years making plans. So when our relationship ended in July, it felt like the future I had imagined came and slapped me in the face. And after my August graduation I was asking myself "What now?" That is when I made the conscious decision to just go with the flow. I realized that if I just tried taking things one day at a time, I wouldn't feel the level of sadness, disappointment, and uncertainty I felt before.  


But now I am asking myself, "what does this make me?" Am I a cynic? Am I bitter? Or have I just stepped back into reality? I'm hoping the answer is the latter. I feel like this way I am setting myself up for surprise and contentment rather than disappointment. I can focus on myself and really think about what I want and when I want it.


Trying to live in the now is hard, but I feel like now I have more ambitions than ever before. I stay focused on my goals, and just hope things turn out well. So for now, I'll let someone else take care of the plans and I'll just relax. 

My name is Marshell.....Ohhh no.

My friend Kelley showed me this video a few months ago. I laugh every time. So if you need a little pick me up on this rainy Monday, watch this....

"Sometimes people say my head is too big for my body and then I say compared to what!?" -Marcel

Love, love, love, love, crazy love

I am crazy about rings! I don't think you can have too many. Here are just a few that I love.....

Love this simply beautiful ring from Anthropologie.  By Cleo & Cat.                                                                                                                                     

In my opinion, the bigger the better.
This gorgeous ring could add a little something to jeans and white T,
 and would be cool with your favorite LBD.
By Mars and Valentine.

    

I am obsessed with cameo rings.
You can't have enough vintage flair when it comes to jewelery.

Onyx is just so cool. Then again, so is everything by Elizabeth and James.

L-O-V-E. Gold jewelery is always a go-to piece for me.
This Jules Smith ring would look great with anything.

This fun ring is from LuLu's.com--great merchandise at incredibly reasonable prices.

I was introduced to Mignon Faget jewelery by friends from Louisiana and I've been obsessed ever since.
These pearl rings are so pretty and classic, with a little twist.

 David Yurman. Enough said.

So next time you're indulging in a little retail therapy, I suggest buying a super cool ring. It can add so much to an outfit. And the more unique, the more jealous everyone will be!  

Take a little time...

For me, it's the little things in life that really make me happy. I have the most incredible and supportive family and truly wonderful friends that I can rely on for anything. All of these people make each day a new and different adventure. But sometimes I like to take some "me" time and enjoy the little things. And if I didn't, well, I'd most likely go insane.


Here are just some of life's little pleasures that I enjoy doing with me, myself, and I. If you haven't taken any time for yourself lately, I highly recommend it.


1. Bake. Anything chocolaty. 
2. Reading a really good book. In bed. In the middle of the day.
3. DANCE. Dance all the time. By yourself, in front of crowd, in your car. It doesn't matter.
4. Napping on a rainy Sunday.
5. mani/pedi. Sit in that massage chair and "rest your eyes" (as I like to say). Completely clear your mind. Oh, and pick a fun color!
6. Cook dinner all alone. Then sit and share it with family or friends.
7. Bubble baths....with a glass of Pinot Noir.
8. Shopping. And buying whatever you want because you don't have anyone telling you not to. (Hello retail therapy!)
9. Sing in the shower. (But this is one time you shouldn't dance, it's dangerous)
10. Laughing out loud to a great comedy.


...Trust me on this. What are some of things you love doing all by yourself?

On Repeat

I cannot get enough of The Band Perry. Kimberly Perry's voice is amazing, Neil Perry plays mandolin and accordion (awesome!), and Reid Perry knows how to get down on the bass guitar. Plus, I sure do love a good family band! Their self-titled album, The Band Perry, is currently (and has been for last few days) on repeat.

So take a listen! I hope you love them as much as I do.

believe

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." 
-Audrey Hepburn

I want to go back....

In May, I traveled with my family to the most amazing city on Earth--London. This city has so many wonderful things to offer: an incredibly fun and relaxed culture, great people, and a big city with a not-so-big city feel. And so.....I want to go back. I told my parents and my best friend B, I wanted to move there after graduation. Well, it's after graduation and I'm still living at home. Why? Fear. I am terrified of moving somewhere completely on my own. I cannot think of anything scarier. Even though London is home to some of the friendliest people I've ever come across, I can't imagine packing up and going overseas to LIVE. But, I have been thinking that maybe I should go back for a visit....Get a better feel for the city, make some connections, and then consider once again moving there for a year or so. Other than my amazing family and truly wonderful friends, I've got nothing holding me back. So, here are just a few things I love so much about London. Maybe reliving these memories will give me a push in the right direction. Annnd maybe these photos will convince you to come with me....

Need I say more? The most amazing one-stop-shop. Right in the middle of the city.

The Churchill Arms is such an amazing pub! It was packed with young happy hour-ers when we went for dinner and drinks. And the Thai food was superb!

I love relaxing in the beautiful parks.....

....and then hopping on the tube and heading to the 

busy 'Times Square-esque' Picadilly Circus.

No, it's not just in Mary Poppins...there are real live women who "Feed the Birds"

It is normal for tourists and businessmen alike to enjoy a beer at lunch. 

Can't do that in America.

The bathroom is called the "loo." Gotta love that.

The Wright Start

I love reading blogs. Friend's blogs, stranger's blogs, any kind of blog. And it got me thinking, would anyone read my blog? I'm hoping yes....because, folks, I'm writing one. In the words of Audrey Hepburn, "As a matter of fact, I rather feel like expressing myself now." My intention is to share my thoughts and opinions on any (and every) thing that I come across, and to put into writing all of the obstacles and adventures life throws at me. Essentially, I'm writing on all the things that make me, me. Through my happiness, sadness, struggles, decisions, travels, and even my style, I hope to accurately portray the journey I'm taking in this thing we call "life."