blogging intentions + the diary days

i've been blogging since i was 11 or so. i started out on livejournal, writing my private, emotional and tumultuous fifth grade thoughts (lol lyfe is so hard guyz) into my online diary that not a soul cared about or read.

and then my friends and peers joined livejournal. and looked at my journal. i started to make 'friends only' and 'private' posts. i mean, i can't have the entire world knowing about my middle school drama, can i? certainly not.

over the years, blogging intention has changed. blogging has changed. to talk about sharing yourself online in the way it existed 10 years ago in comparison to today is largely unfair - the entire premise of blogging, sharing, etc. has evolved to be something else. for many, a blog is no longer a place of musings, sordid life details, conversational tidbits and woes. internet presence has become about community, connecting and offering bits of your world that build friendships.

i haven't written a diary in years. the internet was my diary. and now, the internet is an outward facing, primped, styled and polished reflection of my life. no qualms about that - we all do it. but the carefully arranged photos and instagram shots are not my life. and they're not yours either.

i appreciate beautifully crafted food photography, glamorous product reviews, carefully photoshopped photoshoots styling valentino shoes... it's all gorgeous and dreamy to look at, and i am all about the visuals (i mean really, look at my photo that goes with this post...) but will blogging ever just be about the raw stuff again? will the diaries ever come back in full swing? more importantly, should they?

i can think of many reasons why not. in 2001, we weren't worried much about what our internet presence said about us if it was pulled up on a a job interview. i don't want an employer to google my name and have my relationship drama come up. everyone is more guarded now, crafting their words and images. i think it's smart, but i suppose i miss the internet of old. livejournal, xanga and diaryland anyone?

what do you think about how blogging has changed? how long have you been blogging?

budget vino: 3 favorites under $10

happy wine wednesday! while splurging a little can yield some fantastic wine experiences, great bottles under $10 exist - and they're my favorites!

i actually happen to have one of these bottles prior to writing this post (true testament that it's my favorite, ok?) but i picked up some to photograph. poor me, right? all my favorite wines are just laying around my house now... life's tough.

this isn't wine spectator. i'm not going to talk about the notes or hints of honey/chocolate/baby's breath and how you should cleanse your palette. my tastes are relatively tame, and i find myself sticking more to whites than reds lately. maybe it's a phase? i am constantly trying new wines, but the following are the ones i find myself returning to over and over. prices are based upon my selection here in alabama. enjoy!

01. conosur pinot noir - $9 - this, my friends, is my all-time favorite pinot noir. well-rounded, simple, just barely sweet. if you're new to red wine, give this a try. it's a milder wine. #1 favorite.

02. cupcake prosecco - $10 - this prosecco is divine! delectably tart, slightly sweet, and oh so cheap. it's not too dry, and mixes perfectly for mimosas or other cocktails. i truly enjoy it alone, too! i've tried countless champagnes/proseccos, and this is, without a doubt, the best for the price.

03. beringer moscato - $6 - it doesn't get cheaper than this. moscato is the wine you start with, and it holds many fond memories for me. and even though it's akin to drinking apple juice, a chilled glass of moscato on a summer evening is refreshing and nostalgic. beringer's moscato is balanced - not too sweet, not to tart, but just right. at $6, does it really matter anyway?

birmingham diaries: oak mountain state park

happy march! FINALLY it's spring! even though i've lived in birmingham since july 2013, i'm still discovering new things in this area. though i've tried many of the restaurants on my list, there are still plenty of things undiscovered!

this weekend, i ventured to oak mountain state park with my friend mike. oak mountain is about 15 miles south of birmingham, and alabama's largest state park. we had planned to hike all afternoon, and the weather was perfect - in the 60's, a little cloudy.

we started on the green trail. this trail connected to the white trail, which led to peavine falls. don't be fooled. this was no easy hike! we aren't expert outdoorspeople by any means, but the inclines on this hike were rough (my glutes were thanking me on sunday!). we couldn't have picked a more perfect day or time to go.

i love discovering all that birmingham has to offer. i will definitely be back to oak mountain for more hiking, as well as paddleboats & kayaks in summer! can't wait!

spring 2014 wishlist

 teal blazer, block heel sandals, pink skinny jeans, crossover ring, rebecca minkoff mini mac, target sandals

this spring, i'm really into pastel printed/colored pants - i mean, when haven't i been? but specifically, i'd really like to add some coral pink/teal skinnies to my collection. chunky wedges/sandals are also on my radar! i love these snakeskin heels, they're perfect for daytime. i've also wanted the david yurman crossover ring for a while now - hmmmmm. and of course, the rebecca minkoff mini mac is always on my wishlist; maybe i can snag it in a pretty pop of color this year.

what are you craving for spring?

a new series: post-grad tales

how did this not occur to me sooner?!

having graduated in may of 2013, i've spent (almost) a year on the post grad grind - working my first "real" job, balancing finances, doing my own thing and squeezing in as much fun as possible. (almost) a year is a pretty solid amount of time to learn a thing or two. and while i don't have it all down perfectly (who does?), i've got some tips & tricks to offer those in the same boat as me, or those graduating in may 2014, december 2014 and beyond!

each post will be themed - topics from cooking, finances, etc. - look for them on wednesdays in the next few months! i will come back to this post to link up all future posts in the series. i can't wait to start this series - enjoy!