I must gush for a second, because I am coming off of a weekend high. Every year my family spends Easter weekend at my grandparent's lake house. My grandfather passed away in January of 2012, and I miss him terribly. But the lake house is where I feel his spirit the most, and I love every minute of being there. The story of how my grandparents picked out the perfect piece of property and put their blood, sweat and tears into that little piece of heaven is one of my favorite stories. Every time I make a trip to the lake I am reminded of how lucky and loved I am.


My mom only has one brother and he lives in Austin. So he can't always make it to our Easter weekend festivities, but luckily both sides of my family are really close so my dad's siblings always join us for the weekend. I am extremely thankful to belong to such a close, loving, strong and beautiful family that actually enjoys being around each other.

Our Easter weekend usually consists of relaxing, candlelight patio dinners, breakfast outdoors, endless hours of fishing, boating, adult beverages, and memory making. Those moments are some that I would never trade.

So I will leave you with a few pictures from my weekend.

Thank you, Cable Television

Throughout the week I am super busy. My daily routine generally consists of waking up, getting ready for work, my extremely AWFUL commute to work, work, working out, errands, home, shower and then sleep. Rinse and repeat.

So when I have some free time on the weekends I like to catch up on some of my current guilty pleasure shows (thank you, Jesus for On-Demand). I am not extremely proud of these shows but for some reason I have found myself entertained and frequently viewing these little gems.

Dallas

I know what you are all thinking "how can someone actually watch this show?" Let me state my case... So I have lived in Texas my whole life and I love the fact that this show actually films in Dallas, Texas. Go, Texas! Also, it is so dramatic that it reminds me of a telenovela. Ummm have you seen the actors on this show? They are HOT (automatic watch points)! Lastly, my dad and I watch it together - any opportunity to enjoy something with dad is a win in my book. If you have an hour to spare you should check out this show. Enjoy!

Southern Charm

So I found this show by total accident. I was home sick for a couple of days and had the opportunity to search the On Demand for some time fillers. This show plays on Bravo, and it follows six socialites from Charleston, South Carolina. The people on this show actually have interesting backgrounds with deep historical roots. It is pretty much like a "Real Housewives of..." series except it follows the males as well.   After watching one episode you will conclude that everyone on this show has an alcohol problem. Now, I am not casting judgement because I too enjoy a nice adult beverage, but these people take drinking to a whole new level. I have done my share of day drinking and drinking in general, but I think I would need to prepare my liver for weeks before going out for drinks with this group. All in all, I love this show. Totally worth 45 minutes of my time!

Chrisley Knows Best 

Now, I am not even sure if I should label this show under "guilty pleasure" because I am a big fan of this family and what they have to offer. The best way to describe this show is if Garden and Gun Magazine and a way less trashy version of Keeping Up With The Kardashians plus Dance Moms had a baby - Chrisley Knows Best would be the product. 

So maybe after this post you will make some of my current guilty pleasures your own.  Or you will totally judge me for liking shitty television? I am totally okay with either one, as long as you continue to read my blog ;)

What are your current guilty pleasure shows??

- The Modern Americana

Beauty Product Review: Girl, let me see your nails!

So I am all about trying new beauty products, and I have had my eye on this product for awhile now. The product is by Julep and it is the Freedom Polymer Top Coat. I heard about this top coat sometime ago, but every time I walk into Sephora to purchase this item I get distracted by the other goodies in the store  - which results to me forgetting to purchase the top coat.. Sad day. BUT then one day it was offered to me as a sample and my day was instantly made!

Now, to be 100% honest I am not the biggest fan of getting manicures on a regular basis. I think it is because the manicures never really last that long and I hate to spend money on something that is only going to last 2-3 days. I will get them done for a wedding or an event, but I rather just paint my own nails. So with that being said, I am always on the search for lasting top coats.

I used the Butter London Foundation (which is awesome), my polish of choice was OPI'sTickle My France-y (I love nail polish names) and then the Julep Polymer Top Coat.

This was right after I painted my nails. The top coat went on nicely and added a nice shine.  

4 days post painting! They still look pretty good. The nail color actually looks different in the natural sunlight, but top did a pretty good job. I didn't experience any chips until the 5th day of wear.

I will give the Julep Polymer Top Coat a 4 out of 5. It got the job done and added a nice shine. 

What is your favorite top coat?

- The Modern Americana

Second Quarter Goals for 2014

Can I just say how much my life has changed during the first three months of 2014? I am pretty sure I went through hell and back again at least a couple of times. In-between hell and back I found peace, new life-long friendships, strength in current friendships, an even greater gift of love and support for/from my family and most of all how to truly enjoy the little things in life.

I am determined to make the rest of this year a better one. I know I cannot control every little thing that happens in my life, but I can certainly control how I react, accept and adapt to those things that are out of our control.  Those are things that I will keep in mind and continue to practice indefinitely.

Goals:

#1 Continue running. I recently joined a free running club - basically you meet up and run a 5k once a week, and by run I mean I run for 3 minutes and walk for 2 minutes until I finish the 5k. I have improved my time the last couple of weeks, but more progress needs to be made. I don't have your average runners body, but that does not discourage me.. If anything it makes me feel more powerful because I am doing something that people smaller than me are too lazy to do. My goal is to run a half marathon by the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015. It. Will. Happen. #runfattyrun

#2 Clean out my closet.  I am a girl so I feel like this goal doesn't need an explanation. This goal actually deserves it's own post.  #confessionsofashopaholic

#3 Meal prep all of my breakfasts and lunches.  This goal needs to happen, because momma is running out of money way too fast! I wonder where my paycheck goes and then I will look into it and see the number of charges to Salata on my debit card. Whoops! Those meals add up way too fast. So I will really do my best to work on this one. #moneydoesntgrowontrees

#4 Go to Church.  Now I am not the most religious person in the land, if I am being honest. I have often struggled with my religious beliefs as well, but I feel that I was in a happier place in my life back when I attended church on a weekly basis. If I can't make it every week  then I need to at least attend once a month. #jesusismyhomeboy

Let us now see how this next quarter of my life in 2014 goes. Will you be along for the ride?

I will leave you with some of my favorite pictures from the first quarter of 2014.

What are your second quarter goals for 2014?

- The Modern Americana

Luna, Lucy and Lilly

It is no secret how much I love my dogs. Our oldest dog, Luna, will be twelve in a few days! I will always remember the day we got her. Now this will sound a little sketchy, but its not totally uncommon. So, it was the day before Father's day and my mom and I were on our way to the grocery store and we just so happen to pass by a parking lot that was selling miniature dachshund puppies (puppies in a parking lot?? Is this only a Houston thing?). My mother has a VERY soft spot for little four legged dachshunds. So she said "lets just GO LOOK, because your father will die if we brought one home." What kid is going to deny the opportunity to look at precious pups? So of course I concurred to the arrangement and hopped out of the cargo van that hauled our family around.  That is when we fell in love with Luna - she was the only girl left and the runt of the bunch. The moment I picked her up I knew she was going home with us. My mom, being the professional bargain shopper that she is, made a deal with the man selling the dogs and she was ours! She sat in my lap with pride the whole way home! Long story short, we kept her hidden for a day until my mom told my dad that we now owned a dog.. Happy Father's day!?? *Note he did NOT die* Even now, he claims to not like Luna, but we will know he loves that girl.

   Here is Luna in her sombrero!

Next came Lucy:

Oh Lucy, the wild child of the bunch. 9 years after we adopted Luna, Lucy came into the picture. We rescued  Lucy one summer from a family that could no longer care for her. Now she is extremely quirky - some of her nicknames are Weasel, Baby Wobbles and Lucyfer.. She is "unique" haha!  Luna and Lucy have your typical sister relationship - Luna makes sure that Lucy does not get into her stuff and stays out of her way, but cares for her and is concerned when she is not around. About a month ago Lucy's hind legs became paralyzed out of nowhere, which is common for the dachshund breed. She had to undergo emergency surgery, which was a success,  and is still regaining strength. She is a trooper, her wobbling self and all. The whole time Lucy was at the vet recovering Luna would walk around the house looking for her.

 Lucy.. Up to no good - per the usual. 

   These hams! :)

And then came Lilly:

So Lilly is not my dog, but she is my "dog niece" - she belongs to my brother and his fiancé. They rescued her a few months ago and she has been the perfect compliment to their little family and our big family. I mean her name starts with the letter "L" so she was a perfect match for our family.. Obvi! She comes over about once a month and hangs out with the two hams above. They actually all get along, phewww! My brother is your modern day "Pageant Dad" to this dog. She even has her own Instagram account @princesslillythecavalier ... I thought it was a little ridiculous at first, but then once I realized she had followers that were other cavaliers I somehow found some justification in her account..

   @princesslillythecavalier

        Luna "sharing" her couch with Lilly. Joy. haha!

I recently had some one on one time with @princesslillythecavalier and took her to her monthly Cavalier meet up. Its basically like a playdate for dogs, I mean for Cavaliers. I made a few conclusions that afternoon:

#1:  Lilly is SO anti-social. She waited for all the other dogs to exit the blue pond and then submerged herself in the water.. I guess a princess just needs her own private pool time?

#2:  Lilly can give a "bitch-face" like no other. ^^

#3:  Lilly is precious. Even after submerging herself into a party of one pool party.   That face.

Those are my furry family members. 

*If you live in the Houston or surrounding areas and you are in the market to buy a Mazda, you should go to Russel & Smith Mazda and ask for Michael (my brother). Tell him the Modern Americana sent you. *

- The Modern Americana

You "Pic" it, they stick it.

Out of all the apps on my phone I think my favorite app is Instagram.. I know what you are all thinking "typical girl! Loves taking pictures and having everyone look at what she is doing" and you are absolutely CORRECT! I like to think I do interesting things, with interesting people and those people and things are worthy of being shared. Also, who doesn't love pictures of cute and precious dogs?? Am I right, or am I right??

With that being said, one of my guilty pleasures is the website sticky9 formally known as Stickygram.  This awesome website links up to your Instagram and lets you select your own pictures that you can make into awesome magnets! It even keeps the filters that you have on your pictures. It is quick and easy. The company is based out of the UK and ships for FREE to the United States. It took less than ten days to land in my mailbox from the day I ordered.

                                                         This is the first set I ordered.

                                      These are the most recent magnets I ordered 2 weeks ago.

I display them on this magnet board in my work station at my office. They are nice little memories to glance at during the work day.

Go treat yo self to some magnets at  sticky9 !

- The Modern Americana

And So It Begins..

Hello, World!

This blog is something that I have been wanting to create for YEARS! No joke.. YEARS!

I guess it is time for a little introduction..


I am Victoria, or The Modern Americana. I am your average 20something year old,  just trying to figure out my life and enjoy the ride along the way. I am living what seems to be the typical "Millennial" life (post-grad, job that I question, grad school that I keep putting off and a constantly evolving social life).

This blog will cover EVERYTHING! From fashion, life, photography, love, family, politics and everything in-between.

I hope you will join me on this journey!

Enjoy!

-The Modern Americana