Baby Names on the Brain

How fun is it to name imaginary babies? And how STRESSFUL can naming real ones be?!

I am almost half way through my pregnancy (next week will be 20 weeks), and William and I have known we were having a boy for about 6-7 weeks.  Over the last 6 weeks, I cannot tell you how many times we have tormented over names with each other, with family, and with Google.  Lol.  We still don't know for sure what we are naming him, but we do keep coming back to one or two names in particular over the last several weeks.  We have been tossing one of them around with different middle names, making up nicknames for him, and imagining how our 2 year old, Hanson, will pronounce his name or what he'll call him. But, we haven't quite bit the bullet on one.  We've discussed our thoughts on this name with some family and it is so heartbreaking when they don't share the same sentiments as us, and so much fun when light fills their eyes and you can tell they genuinely love it. I know it shouldn't really matter what anyone's opinion is, and that they've either had their turn at naming babies or will probably get that chance in the future, but I think the approval I'm seeking in others is really just my deep desire to do this baby boy justice in every way that I can as a mother, even down to the name I choose for him.  When naming our babies, we really want to name them something unique, but not weird, and special, but not necessarily name-saking them after anyone.  It's important to me for them to feel like they have their own chance to make an impact on the world, but we have had some incredible family that we would also love to honor.  And many of them have really cool names as well. It's a very tough balance to make.  This past week, I put up the question feature on Instagram for cool name suggestions and I got so many responses and requests to share the list.  I compiled them on a document and I'll attach them below.  One suggestion I repeatedly receive is that we should name him after my father, LaRue.  His death still just stings so bad that I'm just not sure I can call anyone by that name, but I'm warming up to using it as a middle name.  The way I feel is hard to explain! I wish I could.  And, no.  The two names we've been thinking about are not on the list :)  Out of all of the suggestions I've gotten, no one has suggested it, which either proves that it's unique and perfect for him, or that it's too ~weird~ and that I probably need to reconsider. To be determined at a later date!  

Thank you to all who participated! This was so much fun to do.  I would love it if you left a comment on your favorite from the list or if you have a new addition to it that I should consider.

xoxo, 

Holly Harrell

If Heaven has a Beach Bar

If heaven has a beach bar, I can tell you who’s on a stool with a view of the water, where you can hear the live music.  He’s having a Corona with other good-hearted outlaws that loved Jesus and fun, and didn’t give a rats tail about what anyone thought about it while here on earth. He isn’t saying much, just sitting there with a smile, knowing he did a good job while he could, and that now is his time to rest. If heaven has a beach bar, I bet there is a live band playing his favorite songs, and that he’s dancing the night away. He’s happy, healthy, and the life of the party. He’s everyone’s genuine friend there. 

If heaven has a beach bar, you can bet I’m on my way. I pray to have a long and healthy life here on earth, but I don’t think time works the same way in heaven (especially at a bar 🤣), so I’ll see you soon. 

If heaven has a beach bar, I know that’s where you are looking in from. I know you’re proud, bragging to the other angels about who you left behind. I’m okay, dad, and I’m on the way soon! Save me a seat, if heaven has a beach bar. 

Anniversary Dinner at Playa, Orange Beach

Let’s be real. Fancy, childless dates are hard to come by these days. We were so excited to get to plan our 3rd wedding anniversary while we were on vacation in Orange Beach, where William’s mom lives. We scored big because not only did we get the best suggestions from her as a fun-loving local, but we also got the best possible babysitter we could have had as a loving YaYa. She really gave us one choice for where to go for dinner saying, “Oh, you have to go to Playa!” And we were not disappointed! She kept baby Hanson while we lived it up and ate our body weight in the most perfectly seasoned seafood we have ever had, in the hippest place ever. Playa definitely feels more like San Diego than Orange Beach. The atmosphere is sophisticated, but not stuffy in the least, and fancy, but you’re fine to still wear flip flops. The décor is somewhat like a cross between Miami in the 60’s and a hip coffee shop in Brooklyn circa now.  There was someone singing and playing acoustic guitar upstairs that echoed down to the patio on the water where we dined. We had the hot crab dip with blue corn chips for an appetizer. I was so hungry I ate nearly the whole dish. Poor William. For entrees, I ordered the red fish. One bite in, I could not believe how great this fish tasted. Having grown up the daughter of an avid fisherman and incredible cook, I’ve had a lot of fish in my life, and this red fish may have taken the prize. It was grilled skin-side-down, covered in seasonings, and served with a cold avocado and tomato salsa on top. William had the chorizo tacos and the tuna poke bowl, which was way too much food for him and he took the entire plate of tacos home. I think he ate them for a midnight snack and shared with YaYa, but I can’t remember him telling me if they were as fantastic as everything else, though, I am sure they were. He says the tuna poke bowl was amazing and “super fresh.” I love tuna poke, and was sad that I couldn’t eat some of it because of my pregnancy. Next time!! I had big plans for dessert, but when the time came, I had not a bite left in me to take. We were stuffed and happy! We took a stroll around the marina to watch the sun set, which made a perfect ending to the date.

It was all around a great experience I’m sure we will remember forever! Thanks for the wonderful time, Playa! We’ll surely be back.

OUR WEDDING DAY

May 29, 2016, I married William Harrell.  Each May since, I enjoy reflecting on the details of the day. After becoming engaged in August of 2015, we spent our senior year together at Millsaps College planning what would become one of the happiest days of our lives.  It was a really tough time for both of us personally because in addition to his parents divorcing, my father had recently passed away after battling cancer for 18 months, and William lost his brother to a car accident all in the couple of years that we dated.  When I think about the months leading up to our wedding, I think of all of the stress and sadness we were experiencing, but I also think of all of the opportunities we took to lean on each other during those times. We chose to love each other and create our own happiness in a really tough time, and I am so happy that we did.  I’ll say here, that there is no way I could have done all of the planning without my wedding planner, Johnna Pyron. In addition to being a literal angel sent from God to help me through this time, she was so knowledgeable, had flawless taste, had tons of experience, and was so very kind. I can never repay her for all that she did.  William and I knew we wanted to move away and do our own thing for a while after graduating college, so we picked a date close to graduation so we wouldn’t have to hang around too long waiting for the wedding. I actually suggested we graduate at 10 am and get married at 6 the same day and holy moly, I’m so glad William talked me out of that one.  The date we chose was a Sunday, and I’m pretty sure I made the decision because the photographer I knew I wanted to use, Masa Kathryn, and the venue, The Old Capitol Inn, were available that day. We thought that having a Sunday wedding would make our wedding more low key (HA!) and have sort of a sweetness that comes with Sunday afternoons. Plus, everyone had the next day off  work because it was Memorial Day. I say ‘HA’ because we sent out 150 invitations and there were SO MANY people at our wedding that I could barely get out of the courtyard door to go down the aisle because people were standing up lining the walls like sardines. I think everyone who was invited came and brought a plus one and then more people came because William loved to say casually to friends and acquaintances, “Hey man, I’m getting married soon, you should come!”  Trying to remember what our wedding day was like only three years later is proving to be challenging, so I’m glad I’m doing this now and, hopefully, preserving some memories that I may forget if I wait any longer to write all of this down. It was a whirlwind of emotions and people pulling in different directions. “Where are my reception shoes?” “William forgot his tie.” “I need spanx!” “Are we having lunch?” “William won’t shave his mustache.” on and on. The best things I remember are the group pictures in the courtyard before the wedding, right after our first look.  It was at least 90 degrees outside. Everyone was super excited for the wedding and everyone was sweating bullets. There were pink flowers blooming everywhere, and even though the forecast called for thunderstorms, it was the most gorgeous sun-filled day. It was commotion and excitement, then complete silence when I went to the bridal room to await my turn to walk down the aisle. I highly recommend having your first look and group photos before the wedding. It’s so much fun, and gives you more time to enjoy your brand new husband after the wedding. The ceremony was super sweet.  We wrote our own vows. I uncontrollably sobbed. My friend, Kathryn Rooker Digennaro, told me a white dove flew over the floral arch during our ceremony. We ‘snuck’ away for a little alone time after the ceremony, had a few pictures taken, then headed to the reception. We danced to “Sunday Kind of Love,” never ate, and took a million pictures with our friends and family. At 9 o’clock we left the party through a sparkler tunnel and headed straight to McDonalds. We ate burgers and chicken nuggets in the hotel room and laughed at details from the day, while we stared at our new finger hardware.  We were so excited about the honeymoon in Antigua that we didn’t know how we would sleep that night. But we finally did, and I’ll never forget the peace and happiness I felt as I drifted to sleep in William’s arms. Belly full of nuggets, heart full of love.

WEDDING DETAILS:

VENUE: Old Capitol Inn, Jackson, MS

PHOTOGRAPHY: Masa Kathryn Photography 

VIDEOGRAPHY: Anna Barker, Thomas & Mckinley Gallagher

FLOWERS: Wendy Putt

DRESS: Allure Bridals

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Show Me Your Mumu

HAIR/MAKEUP: Sidney Tate

JEWELRY: Family heirlooms

SUIT:  The Rogue

INVITATIONS: Fresh Ink

You can shop my wedding shoes here : SHOES 

Watch our wedding video here: VIDEO

Barre and Brews

Holy Cow.  

Can I just start by saying that everyone who thinks Pure Barre is an “easy workout” is dead wrong.  That being said, I should also preface this with the fact that I haven’t attended a workout class in a solid 5 years, but do stroll with Hanson about 8 or so miles a week.  I took the class on Friday and I’m writing this on a Monday, still feeling the soreness in my stomach as I sit at my desk.  I was lured to the class with the promise of “brews” at the end of it, as part of a fun promotional class the Pure Barre studio in Jackson is offering at the courtyard at Highland Village called ‘Barre and Brews’. Hey, whatever it takes! Now, after feeling how many muscles I haven’t been using, I’ll for sure be back for more. At the class, I met up with one of my best friends, Summer, who is a regular with these kinds of workout classes.  When I asked her how often she takes them, she said, “3-4x a week”, very casually, yet, somehow simultaneously intimidatingly. Thinking I was in over my head, I started the class with a huge nervous-excited-ness about me. Even if I look crazy trying, at least I have a new Lululemon outfit and it’ll probably make a good story, right? The movements the instructor was having us do looked very easy, but let me tell you, they most certainly were not. She gave out commands like “tuck, hold, pulse” and although it was new, the lingo was easy to pick up and follow.  Pure Barre is essentially micro movements that isolate muscles you didn’t realize were there and tear them to shreds.  It does also tap into cardio, but not a ton.  I would say it’s 70% muscle toning and 25% cardio.  And 5% laying on the mat crying. I’m just kidding, it was actually very enjoyable. But, as I laid there out of breath on the mat, I realized that this is why Elle Woods knew Brooke Wyndham couldn’t have killed her husband. My endorphins were so electric, I literally turned to my friend Summer and said, “This is better than the cocktail!” Yes, the very cocktail that lured me there in the first place—but that was fun too. And although I am still very sore, I think you would want to feel like you’ve worked out if you’re going to the trouble of taking a work out class. I loved it, and, also loved the social set up of it, too.  I thought working out in the courtyard of Highland Village sounded a little intimidating, but it was very fun and made me work out a little bit harder knowing people were watching (probably laughing, but watching). 

I love that even when I’m just passing through, Jackson is my favorite city for visiting, shopping, dining, exploring, and more.  There’s always something fun to do in #mycity. Jackson friends, y’all have got to check Barre and Brews out.  It was oh-so-much fun!

#CityWithSoul #ExcerciseYourSoul #IndulgeYourSoul #MyCity #myJXN

MS Childrens' Museum

Jackson was my city while I was in school at Millsaps College , and it is now full circle as I get to bring my son here to Jackson to the children’s museum to play with friends and learn about both science and Mississippi.

From fishing for catfish in the man-made river, running through the playhouse-sized capitol building, dancing to Elvis records in the dance studio, to playing chef in the full-sized toddler kitchen, there was no shortage of things to do at the MS Children's museum.  In fact, after 4 hours of non-stop playing and learning, I think we left having tackled about half of what was offered.  Hanson’s favorite part of the children’s museum was the literacy garden located outside. There is a magical quality about it that I can't quite put my finger on. They had music playing over the loudspeaker-Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" being one of the songs played that sticks out in my memory.  Books and passages from nursery rhymes were read, there was a tree house for climbing, and interactive games offered by the staff. And ice cream sandwiches were enjoyed by all. Can’t forget those! 

I'm not going to lie, it may have been just as much fun for me as an adult as it was for my son, Hanson.  We seriously had so much fun and the employees of the museum were so kind and generous to us throughout our day there.  I definitely recommend making a day of going and enjoying all that this incredible place has to offer.

After being away so long, it was great to be back in my old city. And, Jackson is still my city for entertainment! Thank you so much for having us, @mschildsmuseum ! #MyCity#CitywithSoul #VisitJacksonMS#JacksonMS #EntertainYourSoul

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just two weeks away.  It seems like the year passed so extremely
quickly since my first Mother's Day.  I have been looking forward to Mother's Day
for months.  I'm ready to admit, my love language is gifting.  Nobody
loves a present like I love a present. I love to give and I love to receive. 
Especially when the gift is thoughtful or sentimental. Don't get me started on
surprises. It could be the smallest thing in the world but if it is thoughtful and a
surprise, my heart soars! My husband's love language is words of affirmation, so
we often miss the boat with making each other happy on holidays. I try to make it
very easy for him by telling him exactly what I want for each holiday, but then I
get disappointed even if I get what I asked for, because I told him what to get and
it wasn't a surprise. (If you haven't read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, stop now and order yourself and your significant other a copy right now and thank me later.)

I will say, last year for my first Mother's Day, William’s gift did not disappoint! He
surprised me with roses and a piece of McCarty's Pottery (a bunny, and bunnies
are particularly meaningful to me...more on that later). 
The card in the roses said "Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Hanson".  I keep the framed card on my bedside table next to the McCarty bunny, and both are so special to me. You could honestly not offer me a million dollars for them. 

I love when other people post gifting guides and I have SO many amazing ideas
for Mother's Day gifts because I've been mentally shopping for myself for
months. HA!  Hopefully, this list will make it super easy for some of you to shop for
your moms, MILs and all of the other important moms in your life.  You could also
totally send your man this link and have him pick something for you (it still kind of
counts as a surprise/guided suggestion).  Or, you can take the guesswork out of
it for him and just order yourself something like I'm probably going to do! We
mamas deserve a little treat from time to time. 

I think all women - whether mothers or not - can agree that the one thing on our
must- have list for any holiday is just time with our family.  Time spent with those
you love is one gift you will keep forever in your heart and look back on for the
rest of your life with a smile on your face.  It is non-refundable or exchangeable,
and somehow that makes it the most priceless gift of all. 

Although, a little present never hurt nobody.  ;)

xx
holly 

photography by Masa Kathryn