Midweek Ramblings.

{Out this weekend at Blue Hole, a swimming hole about 30 minutes from Charlottesville! Follow me on social media @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:

• Pets for prisoners: This might be my favorite news article that I've read in a long time! One county in Indiana is finding a unique solution to help homeless cats that were crowding their animal shelters. A program was launched in 2015 to allow inmates in the local prison the chance to socialize and care for some of the cats! What a win-win situation- the homeless cats get love and affection, and so do the inmates as well! You have to see the pictures in the article as well- they're so sweet that I almost teared up while reading. 
• All Access interview: Major career related bucket list item checked off right here! The main industry website for radio is All Access (fun fact: their job board is where I've found both my jobs in Vermont and Virginia!). All Access posts weekly "10 Questions" interviews with radio personalities in different radio station formats. I was so honored to be chosen for this week's AC (Adult Contemporary) interview! Check this out to learn more about why I love radio, and how I work as a morning show host. Here's a fun analogy for my fellow blogger friends: getting this interview is like the same level of excitement for if one of my Instagram photos was reposted on the LiketoKnow.It feed!
• Christian Girl Autumn: Have you been following along with all the crazy Twitter updates on how popular (and OG) fashion bloggers Caitlin of Southern Curls and Pearls and Emily from The Sweetest Thing went viral this past week? A tweet from a parody account found a photo of Caitlin and Emily from 2015 and dubbed it "Christian Girl Autumn" based on their outfits and style, and it has all blown up on the internet! Tons of other people on Twitter have joined in and are poking fun of the "basic white girl" stereotype, but I am so impressed by how classy and maturely Caitlin and Emily have responded to all of this newfound publicity! They're totally taking everything in stride! If you have no idea what I'm talking about- see this article! 

Weekend recaps:

• Last weekend: I established what I think will be my main pattern for August weekends going forward: dedicate Saturday to moving stuff to the new apartment, and then plan something fun after church on Sunday! This weekend I went to the gym Saturday morning, attended my co-host Marc's son's 5th birthday, and then spent the rest of the day moving stuff into the new place! I also made time to try out a new restaurant in downtown Charlottesville Saturday night. Sunday I visited another new church with some friends, and then went on a hike to Blue Hole, which is a swimming hole about 30 minutes from Charlottesville! 
• This weekend: I'm planning to spend most of Saturday moving and organizing the new place  again, and thankful that a friend volunteered to help me do that this weekend as well. On Sunday, I'm looking forward to church and then going to a couple wineries! 

Purchases: 

• Just one purchase this week but it was a larger one. I got this colorful area rug for my bedroom in the new place. I didn't have a bedroom rug previously, and I think this will really pull the room together!

Wishlist:

• This cute wrap dress is at a great price point and would be great for taking from summer to fall. 
• Space is really limited in my new apartment bathroom, so I'm considering getting this!
• My friend Gentry from Girl Meets Bow styled this little sundress earlier in the week- it comes in many colors and I love the aqua version with fruit patterns on it!
• Another thing I want for the new apartment bathroom is a door stopper- how cute is this one!? 
• They're a little pricy, but loving these high heeled mules as fall transition shoes!

Currently reading: The Babysitter by Diana Diamond. It's been a little while since I've dived into a thriller, so it's fun to be reading something in that genre again.

Song of the week: There is No Arizona by Jamie O'Neal. I've been on a throwback country kick lately!

Recipe of the week: Refried Beans from The Splendid Table. My favorite Mexican restaurant at home in Maine puts the most delicious herbs and spices in their refried beans, and I'm fairly certain they use a generous amount of cinnamon as well! I wanted to try to replicate something similar at home, and this recipe was pretty good!

Favorite blog posts of the week:

• Crafty Teacher Lady - I adored this post from Kelly-Anne about her singleness journey into her 30s! If you're a fellow single lady, this is a must-read. I can't wait for her to share part two!
• The Homes I Have Made - Megan shared a full home tour of her family's last rental house! Her amazing home decor skills are so inspiring to me!
• Lonestar Southern - Can we talk about Kate's stunning rehearsal dinner dress?! 

On the blog this week:

• MAINE TRAVEL GUIDE: Visiting Peak's Island
• What to Wear to a Daytime Wedding

     God Bless,


     xoxo Annaliese