Guess, I dare ya + My First Link Up Ever!

Does anyone want to guess what my plans are for this weekend? Am I staying? Am I going? I am sure you can guess that I am not staying put this weekend. Why should it be any different then the past couple months of my crazy, always on the go life I have come accustom to? 

Now I know me heading out of town was an easy guess just based on my traveling consistency lately but can you guess where I am going? I will give you a few hints. 

I've already been there once this year. 

It is a pretty perfect place to celebrate the 4th of July.

It will require a car to get to and I don't have to get on a flight.

Any takers? Can you guess it?

Well if you thought I was going to tell you, then you are wrong dear friends. I will let you know about my weekend on Monday to keep ya guessing. You can all find out then. Unless you follow me on Instagram (@sammiepayne) or are so privileged to follow me on the good ol FB, then you will just have to wait :)

Now onto my first link up EVER! This is pretty exciting. I didn't really understand the whole link up thing when I first started le blog but I am going to give it a try because some of them seem really fun! I can't promise consistency here people, but I will try to participate when I can! And now, please help me welcome:


Dear ABC Family: Thank you for showing one of my all time favorite movies, Dirty Dancing. I could watch it over and over again. And trust I will be doing that final number at my wedding some day {lift and all}

Dear Life: I know we have been busy lately, but I am super pumped that the next 2 weeks should be pretty uneventful. Two whole weekends with no travel plans. Lets try to keep it that way.

Deal e.l.f. Make Up Package: you just shipped but I wanted you yesterday. Please hurry as I am really excited to try your products.

Dear Kaboom Town: I have heard you are one of the nation's best firework shows, so please don't disappoint on Tuesday as my expectations are high.

Dear Instagram Followers: Sorry for the possible obnoxious picture posts you might see this weekend. And then sorry again if you have to re-view them next week on my weekend re-cap.

Ok, I think I did it right, how did I do for my first time? Well I'm outta here! I hope you all have a really great weekend, see ya!

Weekend Outtakes

Just a few funnies from this weekend to make your Tuesday that much better :)

 

 

And my personal favorite from the weekend...

...Listen, I had to be the Hero and save the day. And that's just what I did, yup-yup! Hope you got a giggle or two & you all have a great day :)

Home Sweet...Tears?

Well this weekend did not disappoint. I had such a great time back home that it may have ended in tears [I'm a big baby, story to come later]

So Friday I flew into Houston and let me tell you about my flight. I didn't notice that I was on United's "Express Jet" flight. Have you ever been on one of these? Well let me tell you that it was the smallest airplane I had ever been on and I was NOT impressed. It was compact and rickety, I was so close to the cock pit that I could have helped steer the plane should they have needed help! Then you did not even get a real terminal gate and had to walk outside to get on & off the plane. Great points about the flight? The ultimate way to get back & forth from Dallas to Houston. I never want to make that drive again. It was a quick 50 minutes as opposed to 3.5 hours of driving. Also, the flight attendant looked, sounded and even had the same name as Lloyd from Entourage.

Anyway, enough ranting about my flight {missing you Continental}. That night we went out for Jessica's Bachelorette Party. Now these things are usually kept under wraps but I will give you a few pictures for your viewing pleasure...

On Saturday we surprised Jessica with a secret activity. We took her to one of Sheila Kelley's S Factor studios....Pole Dancing Classes people. Legit Pole Dancing. {side fact, Sheila Kelley is an actress, like legit actress, as in Lilly's sister/Blair's crazy aunt on Gossip Girl} Now I wasn't really sure what to expect and I think we were all kind of embarrassed imagining what we might have to do in this class. You walk into the studio where the classes take place and there are 6 poles in the center of the room with yoga mats around them. The room had a dim color of red hues and lite only by unique lamps and lanterns hanging through out the room.

She had us start getting on a mat while she lowered the lights even more. The instructor had us do dance moves on the floor first that worked your core. Then taught us how to stand, dance & walk seductively. It was all pretty amusing until you loosened up and just went with it. I think we all had the most fun trying the pole tricks. It took a lot of upper body strength. A LOT. There was some uncomfortableness at first and definitely some giggling across the room because we didn't know what to expect. I would totally recommend it and totally would do it again. It was so much fun and seriously was an amazing workout {my entire body is sore people!}. There isn't one up here in Dallas so if you are in the California, New York, Chicago or Houston areas, you should check it out. SAMANTHA'S STAMP OF APPROVAL :)

Moving on...........That night we had our Fall '04 Reunion. I was so happy to catch up with these ladies. It had been so long since I had seen them, and you can only keep up with someone for so long through social media. I need girl time! Face to face. We started at The Tasting Room in Uptown Park which in a wine bar. We ordered a ton of food and a few bottles to share between the group of us before we headed to Little Woodrows' patio area in the Heights.

When it got to the goodbyes is where the waterfalls started. I don't know what was in the air because I was completely fine but then I was speaking to Mackenzie and it went a little something like this:

Mac: Bye Sammie {hug}

Me: I wish I could move back to do this more often!

Mac: I know, I will miss you...

Me: I think I might cry.

Mac: {Laughing, thinking I was just being sarcastic}

Me: {Insert tears pouring out of my eyes}

Mac: Oh my goodness you were not kidding!

Everyone else: {realizing I am crying out of nowhere} What happened? Why are you crying? Don't cry! We will see you again! You will be back before you know it!

I am a huge baby. I have been up in Southern Oklahoma Dallas for over a year now. I have made several trips back home, all which had to come to an end, goodbyes and hugs exchanged and never had this happen to me. Now to back ground my emotional-ness, I have always lived "in or around" Houston, Texas. All my family, friends, memories and my heart reside in that silly little big city. I am a huge home body and never really wanted to move away. Now Dallas is not a big jump away from the nest but for me it was a huge step. So I am not sure what about this trip made the waterworks appear but I truly love that city and the love that beams for me in it. I hope someday to head back but for now, Dallas is doing me just fine...It also helps that I am super busy and always on the go! Until next time dearest Houston....

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

That's right, I'm off again this weekend! I had just a little glimpse of a slow paced, at home, no need to get in a car or plane for hours at a time kinda weekend and my schedule just couldn't take it. Just gotta keep movin'! But let me tell you what is planned for this weekend because I am sooooo excited to see these girls I could SCREAM!!!

In college I joined a sorority, Delta Zeta. And I tell you those were the best of times by far. I could not have asked for a better college experience. Because of the girls in that sorority, I have so many absolutely wonderful, fall out of your chair hysterical, "hope I remember this in the morning" memories a girl could ask for. My pledge class always has had a special bond and every few years we get back together for what we like to call FALL '04 REUNION. We are some dancin, singin, picture takin (well that's just me), loud & proud Delta Zeta Alum and [I think] by far the BEST pledge class to date ;) 

[warning, these pictures date all the way back to 2004! Also you may notice a couple of the ladies in these photos like Stephanie from BEAUtiful Mess & Selena from The Heights Life.]

Now I am sure there will be more vodka sodas in glasses rather then keg beer in our red solo cups as we are not in college anymore but I am super pumped about seeing these girls this weekend. I fly in to Houston early afternoon for a friend's Bachelorette Party that night and then Saturday is the reunion. My best friend Chelsea whose family is taking me in for the weekend (it's like my second home where I know I am always welcome) told me we have a jam packed weekend schedule. So as normal I will be out and about, running around, no alone or down time unlike last weekend......but I wouldn't have it any other way :) Hopefully I will have enough energy on Monday to tell you all about it!

Get Me Outta Here...

...and get me to Italy!

I have for quite some time now been a little travel butterfly. Most of my bestest of the best friends are the same way and for one little lady, it doesn't hurt that her mother works for an airline-LUUCKYY! I would totally do it more often is I had a little more $$$ and PTO, but I sadly don't.

I have been all over the US and for as long as I can remember have been dreaming to go overseas. Now I have been out of the country, but I don't count the countless Mexican Beaches my bum has been on. I want to go to Italy. And I want to go now! (I know, I know, I sound like a pouty little kid) So to curb this need to get out of the country, I am more than normal looking into this trip. Like really really thinking about planning it for next year some time.

I really would like to hit up 3 main Italian cities (Rome, Florence, Venice) and then hop on over to Paris and end in London. I could realistically just stay in Italy for a while as there are a lot of cities I want to visit, but I don't know when I will get the opportunity again to go overseas and would like to spread it out until I can return.

Calling all people cooler more traveled than me that have been to any of the above places:

1) Best times to go?

2) Best cities you love?

3) How much to realistically save up?

4) Any great beaches?

5) Best non-touristy things to do?

Some day...this will be me...some sweet day...

[I really crack myself up sometimes]

Just Some Me Time

I don't have some really great story about my father's day weekend. Unfortunately for the past year have been in another city than my family so while those lucky dogs were at the lake, I was stuck here. My roommate was gone for the weekend and for the first time in along time I was not traveling or had a weekend full of plans. You bet your bottom dollar that I took full advantage of all this alone time. I mean don't get me wrong, I love socializing but I have always been a fan of some me time. Now I didn't just sit home alone like a bum. But it was nice to have very minimal to do :)

I celebrated a friend's birthday on Friday night...

[sorry for the horrible picture quality, forgot the good camera at home]

Happy Birthday "Nasty Nate"!

And then on Saturday, my WAKA Kickball League had a gathering at the Dr. Pepper Ball Park to watch the Frisco RoughRiders play the Corpus Cristie Hooks over some BBQ & Beverages!

That was my second baseball game I had gone to last week! I have only lived in Dallas for a little over a year and this was the first time ever being up here that I went to a game. And who knew I would go to 2 games in one week and have absolutely amazing seats for both!

[see below for Wednesday's game at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington]

Rangers Game equaled dollar hot dog night + cheering in the rain + fancy seats & great friends!

As for Sunday's plans, like I said, I could not celebrate Father's Day with the family so I spent the day to myself. I finally saw the Hunger Games (really great by the way!), spent a lot little bit of money on myself, cleaned the house, laundry, grocery store-ya know, normal Sunday fun ;) And although I couldn't be there I know my step-father was right where he wanted to be. On the lake, riding the jet skis, grilling out. So here's to you dear Curtis Stover! I hope your day was filled with so many smiles. I know my gift is late but there was shipping involved and it is headed your way! Thank you for all you have done for me, your the greatest! Love you!

Obsessions

I like very little but am obsessed with what I do like.

For instance, I am one of those picky eaters {as in I don't like much anything}. Count me out on anything green, or chunky. I like it plain & dry -ketchup only please- I am that girl that modifies everything. But I tell ya, when I do find something that I will try and actually like, I crave it and am obsessed...

[Food Obsessions]

1) Aidell's Hawaiian Chicken Meatballs

I came across these at Sam's Club. They are all natural and made with pineapple, ginger & teriyaki. Right up my taste bud alley!

2) Tommy Bahamas Tortilla Soup

Like I said, I do not like chunky things, so this is the one and only tortilla soup I will eat because everything is pureed

3) Popsicles

If you know me, you know I eat these like 2 at a time. I stick with the sugar free kinds though!

4) Firehouse Brisket Sandwich

I'm from Texas, y'all, which means BBQ is always an option and this puts me over until Rodeo Season

5) Homemade Smoothies

This is something I really enjoy, because I can choose what is in it and save money while making a single serving at home in my magic bullet.

[TV Obsessions]

Things I watch are pretty much typical girly/reality type shows

1) So You Think You Can Dance

my absolute favorite on TV, have yet to miss a season-I laugh, cry, I go into a slight depression that I can't dance...

2) Anything "Real Housewives Of..."

Fav is OC and not sure if I like the new NYC ladies, only time will tell

3) Greys Anatomy

DUH! And what a cliff hanger they left us with!

4) Bachelorette

Rooting for Sean!!!

5) Mrs. Eastwood & Company

was not quite sure that I would enjoy this but now I am hooked and totally recommend it. The show is reality following Clint Eastwood's wife & 2 daughters.

*things not so girly that I love and can't wait to come back on TV are The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy*

[Summer Obsessions]

1) Maxi Dresses
I love me a good maxi dress, so flowy, so summer and so flattering on any body type!

2) Big Shades
The bigger the better I say, but my mother continues to say I look like a bug.

3) Neon Colors
I am obsessed with bright colors this summer and they look great on some sun kissed skin

4) Fresh Paint
My nails are in need of some fresh paint as we speak, but I feel like summer time you can go crazy with the colors and it be okay...right? What's your favorite summer color?

[Vanity Obsessions]

1) Jergens Natural Glow
I have sensitive skin, so can't use a lot of things on my face with oils/perfumes/heavy creams but my face does agree with Jergens Natural Glow. I love that it has a tint & an SPF!

2) Bare Minerals Warmth
I am not a naturally tan person but on the occasion when I am, I don't like to have 2 different shades of bronzer to keep on hand. This stuff works great for light coverage on the not so tan days & also great to even out your complexion on those darker days...

3) Mac Retrospeck Eyeshadow
This is my go to, day to day eye shadow. I love it because it is simple, goes with almost anything and has a little shimmer to it.

4) Essie's good to go!
I swear by this stuff that it is the absolute best thing I have ever come across. I am wayyy to impatient to sit and watch nail polish dry. This is the perfect top coat and you can move around after about 3-5 minutes! I even take it to the nail shops with me and have them use it so I don't have to sit there for half of my afternoon under the dryer
5) Rimmel Lash Accelerator & L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Plumping Mascaras
You want a review on some mascara? Then I am your girl. This is about the only thing in my life that I do not mind trying new things. I have found a lot of favorites and some not so favorites. But what I am loving right now is Rimmel's Lash Accelerator for length and L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Plumping Mascara for volume. What is even better is when you mix the two together. I usually will use Rimmel in the morning and then if I am going out later, I will re-apply with L'Oreal for some great lashes!

Anyway, I just wanted to share some of my favorite things I am obsessing over these days...What are your favorites?

Weekend Quick Trip

My evening should have consisted of sleep. Instead it consisted of a Bachelorette watching party. A very quickly organized, come on over but no dinner is served type of party. I also don't keep many items in the house that are adult beverage related, but I did have one specialty up my sleeve...

I purchased this strawberry margarita wine stuff on my wine tour last month. I don't like tequila so I thought this would be a better alternative. It is different flavored margarita mixes but made with wine, not tequila! Anyway, I stumbled across my creation when I was making a smoothie and I ran out of any juices I had. This was all I had, so I said why not! So all I did was mix the frozen fruit with the margarita mix in my magic bullet and it was AMAZING. I had enough left to make some for my friends that came over. Everyone seemed to like it just as much as I did!

[Top Pics for Emily]...for now ;)

Now on to my weekend re-cap....

My friend Chendra is getting married in October and her couples shower was on Saturday. Most of her family is from a small town called Weimer so we headed about 5 hours south for a good ol' country time!

 I finally got to meet baby Gemma. She was so precious. I wish I could have held her more, but Daddy wouldn't let her go!

We went for just the night and woke up the next morning to take an impromptu trip to Lake Somerville. My parents had been watching my pup, Tucker, for a couple weeks because of my traveling so we had to pick him up and figured why not swap at the lake! My childhood summers were spent on Lake Somerville and I haven't been in a couple years so it was so nice to get a few hours on the jet skis and soak up some sun. We couldn't stay too long because we had to head back to the Big D :(

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I know I did, now, tonight, we sleep!

Case of the Mondays

This weekend took a lot out of me for some reason and I am having a hard time catching up! I mean, it is Monday and all, but I am not normally this sluggish. I definitely am feeling a case of the Mondays and it could be because of multiple things. 

Maybe because I got to ride the jet ski's for the first time this summer and man does that take a lot out of you!

Or it could be because I have not been in bed at my normal bed time of 9 PM in quite some time. (yes, I like to be in bed at 9 PM, don't judge!)

or maybe the fact that I was in a car for over 700 miles this weekend driving all over Texas.

But my bet is because I have been out of town traveling every weekend for almost a month now!

It's exhausting. I need a vacation from my vacations! I wish we lived in a country with 4-day week days & 3-day weekends. I think that might solve my problem. Just one extra day to recuperate please & thank you! But I am not complaining, nope, not here! I love getting out, doing new things, seeing all my dear friends. I am just simply wishing for more time in a day, Is that too much to ask for?! Seeing as how I don't think my wish will be coming true, for now I will have to live with this slight sleepy eyed thing going on right now and get some much needed catch up rest.

BUT JUST NOT TONIGHT!

Why you ask? Because of this girl:

That's right, The Bachelorette is on tonight and I just have to watch. If I don't, then I know it will be spoiled by all the posts, updates and blogs I will come across Tuesday morning. So for tonight, you can find me on my couch watching, tweeting , and getting my weekly fix.

For my full weekend update tune back tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to open my eyes long enough to to let you know just how much fun I had :)

It's Friday, Friday, Gotta get down on Friday!

--insert Rebecca Black's Friday Song--


{Friday Photo Dump}

1. imPress Press On Nails by Nicole Schernzinger = not so great. They look and feel fake. And if your nails are not perfectly shaped like the fake nail, it leaves a gap. Plus you can tell on the sides. I had mine on for a total of 4 hours before I got annoyed.
2. Scary basements. They were everywhere in DC and we just don't do basements here in Texas. Maybe it is the fact that I have seen way too many scary movies and it seems like anyone who travels down never comes out...Lets just say I wasn't going down....."Always have an escape route"
3. The ends of my hair were a mess and I hate getting my hair cut because I am scared of those scissor holdin hands. I wait as long as I possibly can to make an appointment, but I always am grateful once it is over with because my hair always looks soooo healthy and full! I only ever get a trim so there is nothing new to see here people...
4. I'm not a big jewelry wearer, but I am getting better!! I really love this Fossil Stella Resin Watch - Pearlized White with Rose look. Hopefully soon I will be the owner :)
5. BEST.DAY.EVER. I checked my stats the other day and I have had 1,000 page views since I started up this ol' blog of mine. How exciting! I know this is nothing compared to some of you tenured bloggers, but it made me smile and that's all that matters!
6. Summer. enough said.
7. My poor little boy Tucker got the 'ol snip snip this week. He is staying with my parents until I pick him up on Sunday, so he is in good hands. I can't wait to see him again, I am sure he misses his momma!
8. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" Came across this and think I need to apply it to my life right now. I always play too timid that I might fail and I just need to go for it...
9. Miss these girls soooo much. I can't wait to head back and see them in a couple of weeks for the Delta Zeta Fall '04 Reunion :)
10. And finally. If you know me, you know I don't eat much or try anything new. but I did try [on my own I might add] a Mandarin and LOVED it. Because I am so picky, I love when I find a new item that I actually like! Bought a whole bag to eat this week.
11. Now there is not a number 11 above, but I just realized I forgot all about those red lips up there. I don't really wear lip stick, don't think I ever have. I am more of a chap stick & lip gloss kinda girl. But I tried it a while ago and sorta kinda maybe liked it. It might have been how sassy it made me look or the fact that it made my lips look plumper (actual size = very small people) but it was a fun look I am willing to try again!

Alright y'all, I am headed to spend the weekend with my longest known friend Chendra and her fiance David for their wedding shower.

[please ignore my terrible try at bangs, never again-do you see now why I am afraid of scissors?]

I am also super pumped to see these two beauties

My dear friend Ashley & her new little girl, Gemma. I have yet to meet Gemma and all I want to do is hold her! I know she will love her Auntie Samantha :)

Until Monday dear bloggy readers...

Welcome To Our Nation's Capitol [Part 2]

[if you didn't catch part 1 of this post, check it our here]

It's part 2 of my DC trip here starting with...

{Day 3}

So on Saturday we visited: Union Station, The Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the White House, the World War II Memorial and the Newseum. Lets just say all of that equals a lot of miles for my little ol' feet. I wish I knew how many miles I walked for the entire weekend. I am sure I worked off a meal or two...right? All the monuments were really cool, but my favorite thing we did was check out the Newseum. It is an interactive museum that takes you through the history of how news happened then and now. How it travels, how it impacts worlds and it was one museum that kept me entertained the entire time. It also has one of the most emotional 9-11 exhibits I have seen. We were all in tears and had chills. The last part allows you to be some type of news anchor. We chose to be weather women-it was so much FUN!

We were exhausted after this day, but we were super pumped for the night ahead. The boys had planned a fun house party planned for us Texan folk. Everyone was so sweet and welcoming. This was our last night in DC and we definitely brought the south up north!

{Day 4}

The Final Day in DC :(

We were sooo tired and our toes could not take much more, but it was our last day in DC annnnnnd out flight didnt take off until 8 PM - so we went out one last time to see Our Nation's Capitol! A day at the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. We pretty much wobbled from exhibt to exhibt because we were pooped! We sat every chance we saw a chair/stool/couch/bench but we topped it off with dinner at Matchbox before we headed to the airport. The best part....dessert! It was warm cinnamon sugar coated donut holes, a warm chocolate cake with icecream and 3 types of sorbet.

It was to.die.for. Needless to say, I passed out for the entire flight home.......Great trip!

Now when I said I was busy for the next couple of months, I was not lieing. Coming up this month:

1) One of my best friend's wedding shower back home

2) My first ever minor league game

3) Houston Girls Weekend including a Delta Zeta Fall '04 Reunion

4) And back to the lake for the 4th of July!

I am exhasted just thinking about it all, but so ready! Bring it on June!

Welcome To Our Nation's Capitol [Part 1]

So my DC trip was a success! I had such a great time and couldn't have asked for a better experience. We saw just enough sites, walked plenty, ate too much and definitely partook in a few adult beverages. It was a wonderful trip and I met some really great people. I cannot wait to go back again! Now I had 3 picture takin' devices and came home with over 300 snap shots, so I made little collages for your viewing pleasure. I also decided to split this up into 2 posts because there is so much to show & tell!

{DAY 1}

We arrived Thursday night, hopped off the plane and skipped right to the 18th Amendment Bar for some karaoke. We met the first of Coleman's friends and they were so much fun! It was a wonderful welcome into the city...

{DAY 2}

The next morning we woke up bright and early to do some site seeing. We saw the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum & got a private tour of The Capitol from Coleman Garrison, Legislative Assistant. It was really cool to be with him because he flashed his badge and we would walk right past all the signs that said private or staff only or no tours beyond this point! We really felt like we had our own famous, important person showing us the way. The bad part, we couldn't take pictures in a lot of the secret places we got to go :( I was a sad little girl when I walked on the House Floor that you see on C-SPAN and I couldn't snap that memory into a photo. Little did I know that my mind would be blown when Coleman took us below The Capitol to find an underground transit that connects all the House Office Buildings together. It was a secret passage way that only we had access to and I love a good secret passage!

That night it poured. But that did not stop our dear DC friends from showing us a good time. We stayed in, ordered pizza and taught DC a little something called Links! Once the rain cleared up we went out on the town. First stop was Cafe Japonse, which I will say is the absolute craziest place I have been. It is a karaoke sushi joint, only I felt like I was in the twilight zone. It was like we were inside a jelly fish or inside a weirdly decorated underground cave. We quickly left that joint to hit up Public Bar which we danced the rest of the night away...ya know how I love a good shimmy :)

That cute little guy at the bottom right corner is my cousin Zach who is in the Navy and lives in DC. I got to see him 2 nights in a row and I was so happy that I got that chance! Love ya Zach and thank you for all that you do for our country!

I am saving the best for last so check back tomorrow for Part 2 of my trip!