#ETXmeet

Did you guys know that there are people on Instagram that like, really love Instagram? I mean they love it so much that they meet people and form these groups and meet up and just take pictures for a few hours together.

Neither did I. And honestly the very thought of it paralyzes me with anxiety. But recently I started following more people on Instagram that really inspire me to take more pictures every day and stretch my creativity beyond outfit pictures a few times a week. One of these people posted about an InstaMeet earlier last week and after wrestling with the idea for a couple of days I convinced my introverted sister to go with me.
This was actually the very first Instagram official East Texas meet! How cool is that? Instagram sent Shawn (@srt4shawn), the one hosting the meet along with a couple other ‘Grammers, an entire InstaMeet kit complete with bug spray, apparently.

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We met at Bridge281 Coffee in Longview (SO.DELICIOUS. and WHY had I not heard of it before?) and had coffee, met each other, and then spent an hour or so out back taking gorgeous pictures in the fields.

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When the light was all gorgeous and beautiful we hiked back to the coffee shop and carpooled to an abandoned part of downtown.

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Oh yeah. Did you know it’s illegal for you to even step on the railroad tracks? Some very tough police officers stopped us and told us that. #hardcore

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It was so much fun getting out and experiencing something new. What a fun thing that people created.

 

 

xx

 

Follow me on Instagram! @melodyrich
It’s mostly pictures of Pepper.

#SBSW not #SXSW

You guys. If you ever get a chance to go to South By So What?! you should so go. My primary reason for going was to see Taking Back Sunday but they didn’t play til 8 on Friday night so I browsed the set list and found several new bands to love and even MET one of them! OH MY GOSH it was amazing. But I always feel so weird after meeting a band I love. I gush and gush and they’re so sheepish and grateful. Didn’t hurt that they were super handsome, either. πŸ˜‰

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South By So What?! started seven years ago and is a 3-day music festival featuring lots of locals and lots of popular bands. There was a lot of screamo on Friday but we had a freaking blast, and even though I’m not a fan of screamo I came to really like We Came As Romans! (Look them up! They put on a crazy cool show.)

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The line to get in looked insane but once we got inside the baseball stadium venue it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I thought it would be. The weather was perfect all day and there was ample shade in the stadium seats. Perfect.
On Saturday, though, I heard they had to cancel a couple of the headliners due to severe weather. Mike Ziemer, the founder, was pretty broken up about it but let all the people that went Saturday get in Sunday for free with their ticket. Pretty cool guy.

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Those teeny tiny people on that stage are Under Dog House. Two of the dudes my friend Kait and I went to college with and are super cool dudes. I’m a big fan of their music so you should czech them owt! Plus they’re coming out with some new tunes soon! I’m super proud that they got to play this festival. So awesome.

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Oh and apparently this is the drummer for We Came As Romans. My friend’s boyfriend was freaking out but too shy to take a picture so I sneaked one. You’re welcome, Don.

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If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you’ll know how much I’ve been freaking out over Everything’s Gonna Be Alright by Mike Mains and the Branches. WELL LOOK! THERE THEY ARE! They.Were.Incredible. I was too embarrassed to go and meet them afterward but I downloaded three free songs off the back of a sticker they gave me. LOVE THEM.

We kept seeing that dude in a suit walking around the venue all day and thought he was super profesh and then realized it was Mike Mains himself. πŸ™‚

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FEVER.DREAMER. I freaked when they took the stage. Month of Sunshine has been the only song, besides the Mike Mains song, that I’ve listened to this last month and a half and it was so cool to hear it live. I worked up the courage to go up and meet them literally right as we were walking out. I gushed and gushed to the handsome gentlemen and they told me their album is coming out in the next month or two. I WILL BE THE FIRST TO BUY IT. PS. Hi Zack and Cody. (Am I creepy, yet?)

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And Taking Back freaking Sunday. Put on the greatest show known to man and I felt 14 again. It was beautiful. And apparently Adam Lazzara, the lead singer, lived in Tyler! Small world. I love them so much. I hope to see them play again one day.

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SWAG. On our way out two girls in a hardcore Red Bull Mini Cooper said, “Hey guys! Want a Red Bull?” And we were like, “Yeah, okay.” So I got a blueberry Red Bull which was actually delicious. It hyped us all up for ten minutes then we crashed. But hey, SWAG, right?

 

I had the best time. I’ll be going again next year! And hopefully SXSW too!

 

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xx

You Can’t Ever Leave

Sunday was grey and moody just like the rest of the weekend. It just so happens to be my favorite kind of weather. I could live in rain and snow for the entire year and never see sun and I’d be happy. Maybe I should just move to Seattle…

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blouse: H&M, dress: Target, tights: Target, wedges: Target

I swore up and down that I would never jump on the dumb sneaker wedge trend. Every time I thought of them I pictured white Keds wedges and I just didn’t get it. Until these. I bought this pair, a tan pair and I’ve got my eye on a chrome pair. πŸ™‚ Somebody stop me.

We’re going to celebrate my sister’s birthday with my grandparents tonight even though her birthday is Saturday. She’s getting her bottom braces tomorrow and won’t be able to eat (haha) so we’re eating early! Everyone wish Rudy a happy 15 birthday Saturday! (yikes. 15.)

I only worked Monday and Tuesday this week and took off the rest of the week. I’m so glad for a mini vacation with a road trip to South By So What?! on Friday with my best friend and her boyfriend! WOOHOO! I am so.excited.

Bands I’m looking forward to seeing:
Taking Back Sunday
Mike Mains and the Branches
Fever Dreamer
Bryce Gilbertson
Hrvrd
The Used

Are you going? I’m only going on day one! If you’re going come find me!

Happy Hump Day!

New Years Eve Party!

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We had a blast celebrating NYE. Nothing like being surrounded by friends, cupcakes, and champagne when the new year rings in.

I spent the next day relaxing in bed watching movies. Great way to start the new year! I didn’t make a mile long list of resolutions this year like I have before. My only goals are to buy a car, get a new job, and move out. Three seemingly simple things I want to accomplish within six months. There are other small things I want to do but they’ve been on my goal list for a while but if you want to see them anyway let me know and I’ll do a little goal post. HA. Goal post.

Did you make any resolutions? I’d love to read them! I hope you’re having a great new year.

Here we go, 2014!

 

 

xx πŸ™‚

What Are You Doing Now?

Ever since graduating college for real this time, nearly everyone I see asks me, “So, what are you doing now?” Friends, family, church members, acquaintances… all of them are interested in my life. It’s flattering, really. Whether they’re asking to fill the dead air in an awkward conversation or genuinely interested, I am flattered.

So, what am I doing now? I haven’t taken a lot of time lately to update you on the goings-on of my life the past few months. I graduated college after taking two very last minute classes (ugh) to complete my degree. I passed both of them, one of them just barely, and sent all the information to my school to be processed! I didn’t walk the stage again because I did it in May. πŸ™ Since then I’ve been enjoying finally being done with school. No more anxiety on Sunday nights realizing I forgot to submit an assignment that is due at midnight. No more hassling with teachers that aren’t willing to help you out. No more writing. No more tests. WEE!

I am still working full time in the daycare. I should be buying a car in the next month or so and then I can finally be semi-independent. πŸ™‚ I sold my car back in the summer and have been saving ever since. So if you know anyone that’s selling a Honda Accord or Civic in the $5000-6000 range let me know. πŸ˜‰

My tentative plan is to buy a car, find a new job and move to Dallas by May 2014. Easy, right? I’ve been seeking out positions I think I would be happy in and that would feed my passions for blogging, fashion, beauty and the like and I’ve found a couple cool positions. I have applied for several remote blogging jobs part time and full time and hope to hear back about those. It would be a dream to be able to work from home and make extra money while doing my real passion.

As far as music goes I don’t have any leads and I’m not sure how to break into that scene. My passion has always been leading worship and being involved in music in that way, however it’s really who you know. As it is with any job, really. Finding a worship leading position isn’t like searching the want-ads in the paper or Craigslist. I think I’ll plug myself into a church wherever I end up and work from there. I know God has a plan for this passion and I trust that He will lead me where He wants me. That gives me total peace.

When I shared my Dallas plan with my parents they were like, “Cool,” at first. Now, my mom wants me to move to Tyler (35 minutes away and where I attended school. I eye-roll a lot at that.) That was my plan in the beginning: move to Tyler, see my friends graduate, figure it out from there. I understand her reservations about my moving to Dallas: I won’t know anyone. Who will watch my dog if I’m gone overnight? Who will help me if I get a flat tire? I WON’T KNOW ANYONE.

But to me that’s kind of the point, right? I have no ties anymore. I’m single and through with school. Once I buy a car I can go and do anything I want with this time in my life. I am free to get weird jobs and live cheaply. Clean start.

I have nothing against the places I’ve grown up in. They are special to me and I love them dearly. However, I need a new experience. Dallas has always been a dream of mine so why not? It will be scary, sure. I’ll be lonely, yeah. But maybe not. I’ll never know unless I try.

 

So that’s what I am doing now. Figuring it all out. This isn’t some revolutionary blog post about finding the meaning of life in your twenties. This is my life and it’s the dumb things I’m doing to try and be who I am. And to let those of you that are praying for me know more about me and my plans so that you can pray more specifically for me. If you pray for me, thank you. I need it and God has heard you!

 

Happy Monday. πŸ™‚

 

xx

What Happens When You Throw Glitter

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I’ve been 23 for about a month so that gives me the right to post about it whenever I want, right? πŸ™‚

My birthday celebrations actually started three days before with a surprise dinner with all of my friends from school! They brought me the sweetest card signed by the entire choir that I was apart of for two years and then brought me face cake. I love these people. They really are the best.

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The next day I wore my birthday headband and birthday girl button and brought mom-made chocolate mocha cupcakes to work just like an elementary student. πŸ™‚ BTW, you can’t have my mom. She’s mine.

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After the best day of work ever I came home to my favorite dinner: roast, potatoes, carrots, and a beer in a frosted mug. πŸ™‚ Then I opened the best presents; a sassy shirt, margarita shower gel, and a gift card for a mani/pedi and a haircut. I don’t like spending money on myself that way so my parents knew exactly how to pamper me!

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I capped off my week by a hardcore mani/pedi and a big ol’ haircut by the best in the biz, Kelso!

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I had the best birthday ever and I think 23 is really going to be the best year. Here we go. πŸ™‚

 

 

xx