Which Lunchbox Buddy Are You??

step sing 2014 {the sacred tradition}

"Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd.  Without innovation, it is a corpse."

-Winston Churchill

Participating in traditions allows us to infuse ourselves into a larger past history, while simultaneously allowing us the opportunity to distinguish our present self.  Last weekend, I had the privilege of participating in a Samford University sixty-three-year-old tradition: Step Sing.

I first heard about the infamous Step Sing through a family friend.  He shared whispered accounts of his participation in the legendary singing and dancing competition and the harrowing details of executing a sweepstake wining show. 

Now, I know this sounds totally absurd!  But like any tradition you have been a part of, the participation in something larger than you has a way of creating a bigger-than-life immediate experience and subsequent memory out of that experience.  As a freshman at Samford, I knew that I had to get a taste of Step Sing. 

Students have one month to put together their six minute mash up of a show.  Blood, sweat and tears go into selecting a creative, yet developable theme, choosing the perfect songs to tell your story, choreographing interesting moves including ripples, formations...and then actually practicing everything over and over until you have a seamless performance.  And the reward?   Bragging rights for one year for the one lucky sweepstakes winners.    

I participated in my sorority's show and it was everything I had imagined.  The chills were there and I was hooked!  Unfortunately, I was disappointed to discover fairly quickly that 1. I couldn't sing and 2. I wasn't very coordinated.  Of course these are the two main components of Step Sing!

 I then spent two years on the overall student-run committee that puts on the show.  I enjoyed learning about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into this beloved campus event.  

This year, I received a call inquiring whether I would be interested in being a part of the judging process.  I loved it!  That is the truest thing about traditions.  When traditions thrive over the years, as a result of what Churchill distinguishes as being able to evolve and inspire innovation, the tradition will always take you back to that magical experience you lived out, while allowing new memories to be made.  

hello, bombshell

Bombshell Creative and Pure an Organic Salon hosted an amazing Nashville "Ladies Kind Of Night" leading up to Valentine's!  Sarah represented the Lunchbox Buddies and tagged along with two other girlfriends for this clothing swap/complimentary mini make up, hair and mani make-overs/panty decorating/pose station soiree.  

The Pure team pampered ladies with their all natural products to provide up-dos, arm massages, manis, as well as on-trend eye or lip looks.  And, yes, there were samples galore and hourly give aways!!  

Check out our beautiful hair creations on the last two rows below. 

After getting dolled up, the fun was captured by Bombshell Creative Photography in their special v-day pose station.  Between chatting, snacking and bedazzling unmentionables at the "pizzaz your panties" station, there was also a clothing swap component to the evening led by a wardrobe stylist.    

It was a great night out that felt like the best kind of night in.  This was the perfect event to gear up for February 14th.  So whatever your plans, enjoy a special Valentine's Day pampering those you treasure (and, who says you can't start with yourself)!

we are the champions {of the world}

If you were around in the 90's you know one thing to be true:

Winter Olympics = Figure Skating

And as we reach the final hours of the countdown to Sochi 2014, the Lunchbox Buddies couldn't help but look back at all the exciting and memorable moments from the glory days. The drama of the Kerrigan vs. Harding battle, the elegance of Oksana's Swan Lake performance, and the theatrics of Brian Boitano remain imprinted in our minds and on our hearts. The Olympics have a special way of re-energizing our childhood dreams of floating across the ice, waving gracefully at the crowds, and standing on the medal podium. 

So go get lost in the magic. Let yourself believe that your wildest dreams can come true. The next time you find yourself walking to the mailbox or standing in line at the grocery, take a moment to envision yourself landing the perfect double axel, bringing the audience to their feet. Pick up your flowers. Relish the moment.

And GO USA!