Erin Akin Carroll

the best of the Oscars

Feb252013

I stayed up really late watching the Academy Awards last night. I was super excited to have seen so many of the nominated films, and I love an awards show. Seth McFarlane wasn’t my favorite host of all time, and I thought parts of the show just went on and on and on. I liked most of the musical numbers, but thought even those were excessive.

But these were my favorite moments in fashion and in the show from last night…

Fashion

Naomi Watts was my favorite last night. She was the only one who just absolutely stunned me by wearing something a little bit edgy and just so glamorous. I loved it. And she wore it so well. She looked comfortable and beautiful.

Jennifer Aniston’s choice brought on mixed feelings on Twitter. I admit that when I first saw it I was underwhelmed. But when I saw her walk in it and saw how beautiful the silhouette of the gown was, I just loved it. The shape is gorgeous on her and she looked completely at ease. She looks like herself, and that’s always a bonus!

And the dress reminds me of a red version of my wedding dress.

Jennifer Lawrence looked radiant! I love her hair color back to a lighter shade so you can see her pretty face. And while the dress is a little structured for my personal taste, I think she just looked fantastic in it!

Jennifer Garner seems like the sweetest person ever. I’m fascinated by her married and family life and really appreciate how they seem to have maintained a normal life despite the pressures of Hollywood. She looked absolutely beautiful last night. The color was perfect for her and she looks awesome!

Jessica Chastain has just catapulted herself into a fantastic career. I’m so impressed by her talent and that she always has her mama with her. Her red hair with that dress was just the perfect combination. She looked so sophisticated. I love her!

Ben Affleck

I was rooting for Silver Linings Playbook to win Best Picture because that was my personal favorite from the season, but deep down I wanted Argo to win just so Ben Affleck could win. He just seems like such a normal husband and father, and his acceptance speech last night had me in tears. I was so happy for him!

Jennifer Lawrence

Her acceptance speech for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook was so genuine and sincere. I love it when someone truly speaks off the cuff and is so stinking shocked they don’t know what to say. I also loved that she tripped and fell up the stairs. I mean, I felt badly for her, but that is so something that I would do. She handled it so well, and made me laugh.

Also, my friend Katie shared this earlier, but you should watch her post-win interview. She’s so natural.

Cast of Les Miserables singing “One Day More”

You can watch the full video here. It was so great to see the perform live. Some did better than others- Eddie Redmayne was fantastic and Samantha Barks are my favorites!

I was also excited that Anne Hathaway won for her role as Fantine. She is so talented.

What were your favorite Oscar moments? What did you think of Seth McFarlane as the host? And who were your best dressed picks?

our weekend: Charleston, sweethearts, and birthdays!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Feb242013

1. Okay, tonight is Oscar night. Kind of a big deal to me. I love movies, if you haven’t figured that out yet. And, really, I thought everyone loved movies, but apparently my good friend Crist doesn’t like movies at all. I don’t even understand it.

But over the past few months, I have tried to see as many Best Picture Oscar nominees as possible. We saw Les Miserables, Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Argo, Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi and Beasts of the Southern Wild. I didn’t get to see Amour and didn’t really want to see Django Unchained.

I’m also pretty pumped about the red carpet and going to a friend’s house to watch the red carpet.

2. Todd and I had a quick little getaway to Charleston on Thursday and Friday. He had to speak at the law school in Charleston on Friday morning, and I got to tag along for a couple of days. We really needed a night out of town. We rolled into Charleston on Thursday afternoon (about an hour and a half from where we live) and went to a reception. Then Todd and I went to eat at Magnolia’s.

We saw a couple get engaged and enjoyed meeting the pedi-cab drivers we had that night. (We always take a pedi-cab and love chatting with the drivers.)

Friday, Todd had to go speak on a panel. It was raining really hard, but I hung out in the room and slept later than I usually do. And then I watched Argo in the room. It was pretty much the perfect morning.

I piddled around a little bit after that, but the rain stifled the day’s plans of shopping a little bit. Todd and I headed back to Columbia around 4:00 in time to have dinner with his parents and Hudson and Hayes.

Hudson and Hayes had a fun 24 hours with their RC and PC while we were gone. And of course, I didn’t take pictures while we were gone.

3. We went to Jack’s fun football themed part yesterday morning, and the boys had the best time playing with so many friends. They all had eye black on to look like little football players.

4. Todd and Hudson left after church to go to the baseball game today. I’m so hoping that Hudson will love baseball as much as his daddy and I do!

5. I was a server with a couple of friends last night at the Sweetheart Banquet at church. It is such a great event that our church puts on every February. Todd and I weren’t able to attend on Friday night because we were in Charleston, but I was able to be a server for the Saturday night dinner. It is so well-organized and so much fun to meet all the couples.

I did slip down on a piece of melting ice on the gym floor. It was definitely embarrassing, but if you know me at all, it shouldn’t surprise you that this happened. If there is an opportunity for me to fall down, I’m going to take it. (I like to say I come by it honest from my mom!)

Are you excited about the Oscars tonight? Did y’all have a fun weekend?

reads for your weekend

Filed Under: weekend reading

Feb242013

I feel like there were so many great posts this week! I have quite a few to share with you that got me really excited and inspired this week.

What inspired you this week?

“It’s Make Your Mamas Proud Time” by Nine and Sixteen

I cried, decided to be a better mom, then yelled at my kids by Sarah Mae

Treasures of Darkness by Nathalie for Naptime Diaries

Time Captured by Nest Egg

This post was so wonderful to me. In a fast food world full of Pinterest ideas that suggest we should “do it yourself and do it right now” I loved this post about taking your time to decorate and style your house. Our homes should be reflections of who we are and should tell a story. Our homes should be filled with treasures from our experiences and daily lives. Read this post!

Eternal Truths and Similes by Pioneer Woman

DIY, Not Satisfied by A Southern Accent

Hospital Bag Essentials for Mom and Baby by According to Nina

Organizers by Sunny Side Up (seriously inspiring basket organization throughout this blogger’s house!)

every day joy

Filed Under: Faith

Feb212013

This is one of those posts that I don’t know how to write. I was trying to tell a friend the other day that it feels weird to not write about certain things because it makes me feel like I’m leaving something out of our story. And that’s what this blog is.

But I also don’t want to use my words and my space to be negative.

So over the post few weeks (and months, really) I’ve pouted a good bit, prayed a lot, and done my very best to just see the Lord’s plan in all of this disorder.

For those of you that may not know the full story, we sold our house and closed on it at the end of 2012 after 9 months of it being on the market.

It was bittersweet. And we never imagined that it take us a few months to decide to build a house, and then take us a while to even get started on the process.

But since we left our home, I’ve been fighting and trying to overcome this dry feeling. I’ve just felt uninspired. And almost limited.

2013 is already flying by, but in many ways it can feel like we’re just living in limbo. We’re dangling in this place in the in-between where we’re tip toeing around and trying to get settled in Todd’s grandmother’s house. We’re trying to make ourselves at home while being respectful of her space.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited. I thought, “This sweet little blessing was God’s plan for us, and this is that big sign of hope that all of this uncertainty will sort itself out soon.”

The pregnancy did give us the nudge that we needed to commit to building a house. But we were heartbroken just a few days later when I began to miscarry.

Today, at Bible study, someone spoke a very powerful piece of TRUTH into me when she said (not directly to me, but it felt that way),

“Stop waiting for Jesus to do something spectacular, and just focus on the joy that can be found in the every day and the ordinary.”

It may be 2014 before we find ourselves settled into a home. It may be 2014 before we decide that we’re ready to try for another baby.

The joy is happening all around me every single day.

And my hope is not to be found in anything of this world. It’s in Jesus Christ alone. And He fills me up with joy. He has blessed us with a beautiful family and a warm, comfortable home that we share with family.

It’s a daily decision for me to choose to be joyful in the midst of the heart ache and displacement. It’s clear that I have been just waiting on something spectacular to happen to perk us up a bit. And it’s not likely that it will happen that way. My fulfillment and hope can only come from One place if I hope for it to sustain me.

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