ROYALty

The past few weeks have seemed to be a whirlwind and I don't exactly know where to begin. 

Two weekends ago I spent the whole time with my mom. Serious pool time was the priority. It was a very laid back and relaxing weekend. 

I did a crab boil during that lazy weekend. Let's just say any Steel Magnolia would have been proud. 

The next work week was short. Hello Labor Day weekend! Tuesday I went to my parent's house because I had to vote in the run off election in Oklahoma. I spent the night at my parent's house and found an old shirt my mom had with her face on it. I think I look just like her!

Nothing finer than a woman who votes!

Mom said she thinks it was made at Six Flags on a vacation. It will be in many blogs to come. 

I took Friday off to go to Tulsa to watch my cousin Lane's last baseball series against the Drillers on Thursday and Friday night.  

That is our favorite Natural in the background. 

Saturday we headed to Springdale, AR for what we thought would be a weekend of watching baseball and then getting home early Sunday evening. This did not happen. 

Saturday afternoon L called his mother to tell her he was not playing that night. We were all bummed to not get to watch him play but in the back of my mind I knew something was up. We spent the evening running around Fayetteville and letting all the kids swim and play. 

Now before I get into what happened Sunday, let me give you a little background on the month of September in baseball. Crazy. Shit. Happens. With L being on the Royals 40 Man Roster there has been the possibility of him getting called up to the major league team all season, but September is when you see a playoff push and call ups happen with just a phone call. 

Sunday afternoon as we were getting ready to head to the ballpark my Aunt Shelley got a call from L (Shelley is L's mom).

L: I'm not playing tonight. 

S:What? Well, we will come to the game anyway. The First Baptist Church is coming so we need to be there. 

L: Well, I might not be there. 

S: Why?!?

L: I will be on my way to Kansas City. I got called up. You can't say anything until the organization releases it though. 

This is were we had to start lying and getting our act together. We had to go to the game or people from our hometown would know something was up. My aunt Shelley and I helped L unload his Tahoe since it was loaded to come back to Red Oak and not KC.

The moment the Royals organization released the last season call ups social media went crazy. Phone calls, text messages, tweets, posts were coming in so fast that we couldn't keep up. 

There were about 12 of our family members in Springdale that weekend and without any question we all knew we were going to KC Monday morning for L's first Major League game. From Springdale, KC is only about 3.5 hours. 

No one could sleep Sunday night. It was like waiting for Christmas morning. We woke up earlier than our alarms and got on the road. I road in the back of my aunt's Enclave with three little girls. If I never have to watch an episode of Dora the Explorer again I will be happy. 

Once in KC, we stopped for some new Royals garb and went to the ballpark after some Kansas City style BBQ. 

As I walked into Kauffman Stadium and looked out on the field I found tears in my eyes. My little cousin L was warming up as a Major League Baseball player. He was living a childhood dream with the number 45 on his back. 

We watched batting practice and just took in the moment. Deep down we knew he probably wouldn't play that night but seeing him in uniform and supporting him was all we wanted. 

The Royals were playing the Texas Rangers that evening. It was a gorgeous night for baseball. We met up with our family from KC.  L's high school baseball coach, who is also our cousin, came as well as others from RO. 

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Royals' DH came to bat. He was walked. Then we saw the number 45 come out of the dugout to pinch run.  We went crazy! 

L had a smile from ear to ear. He only played that inning since the Royals didn't take their last at bat but we were there. 

After the game we drove home on a high. The 5.5 hour drive home was worth it. I got home at 4:30am, took a shower and crawled into my bed for a few hours. My head was in a fog all Tuesday long. 

Car ride to KC. 

My favorite KC Royal. This was L's rookie jersey. 

The fabulous five! It was a bitter sweet moment with my Ginny not being there. She would have been beaming with pride and joy. 

L on first!

L sent this snapchat Monday night. I usually don't screenshot things but I had to keep this one. 

We are all still on cloud nine and it just keeps getting better. 

As I type this blog, I am on a plane headed to NYC. The Royals have a three game series with the Yankees and I am going. Thanks Aunt KK and Uncle Steve for the plane ticket! 

Cheers and Be Royal,

C

Practical

Those who want to become married and have children are not wrong in wishing to do so; however, please do not tell me I am wrong for not wanting that life. Becoming a wife and mother has never been a goal of mine nor did I think it would complete me as a woman. 
My mother, aunts, cousins and grandmothers are the greatest inspirations in my life. The selflessly provided for thier children. I can't begin to tell you how much I admire them. 
With that, over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to do a lot of soul searching. My life isn't what most think it should be. I am a 28-year-old woman. I am not married. I do not have children. Because of those things I do not have, I have been able to do so much more in my life.
I have a Master's Degree. I have traveled the world. I can go anywhere at the drop of a hat. I can have a car that can't fit a carseat. I can move. I can sleep in. I can wear white whenever I please. I don't have to find a babysitter. I can be the greatest aunt on the planet. I can have my weekends. I can save money. I can have only bottled water and mustard in my refrigerator. I can have cake for breakfast. I don't have to worry about if my husband will agree. I can be me.

I do not have to live a practical life. 

I refuse to live a life society deems appropriate.

 I refuse to conform to what people think

 I should be as a 28-years-old woman. 

I am Carly Jones 

and no one can tell 

me who I can be 

except me. 

Cheers,

C

 Every so often I like to change things up a bit! I felt a little edgy this day.
Top: Pazza Bella
Skirt: wait for it... Dollar General!

Word.

 And then I went super prep!
Top: Lilly Pulitzer
Seersucker Shorts: Crimuex
Wedges: Sperry Topsiders

Summer Time.

First day of Summer and I spent it like any lady should at the ballpark!
Hat: Marley Lilly
Top: Lilly Pulitzer (National Wear Your Lilly Day)
Margarita in hand.

Got to cheer on this little lady in her t-ball game!

Love this Kimono from Franchesca's! Sunglasses are from Target. Necklace is from Marely Lilly.

Be as happy as a bird with a french fry.

I am obviously invested in my name. This gold plated necklace has my Twitter handle @carlydjones on it.

Meet Anderson Cooper!
He is my not practical purchase. I have been in the market for a new vehical and couldn't find anything that fit my personality. Then this guy came into my life! Thanks to Sharry Mouss @cool_sharry for naming him.
He is certainly a silver fox!

It is strawberry pie season! My bestie Jonea came out to help mom and I bake 10 of these. She walked away with one for her family and we got fresh veggies out of the deal.
Fair Trade.

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite times of the year. I get to see some of my favorite people, blowing things up, cookouts, Red Oak, swimming, firework shows, baseball, and the list goes on and on.

















Today, June 30, 2014
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer
Sandals: Madden Girl
Necklace: My Great-Grandmother
Earrings: Marley Lilly

The Italian Job

So, I passed out at a funeral and then traveled to Italy. In reference to the passing out, I am OK. Slight dehydration and a mixture of some other factors seemed to lead to the episode. All is well and my mother is watching me like a hawk. 
A week later I traveled to Italy with a group from the college. It was a fabulous trip and I was thrilled these students had the opportunity to see and experience what they did.
Let me catch you up on the last three weeks.

I wore this to graduation. I didn't have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off because the day before was when I passed out and being out in the heat was not allowed.
I have no idea the designer of the dress or the shoes but I love them both!

These students made me love my job. I am going to miss them so much next year but I know they will do great things and SnapChat me until it is annoying.

This is Keifer. He was my right hand man. He sent this Snap to me while I was in Italy. I cried. I will miss him coming into my office each day and the conversations we would have. He is transferring to Oklahoma State University and I couldn't be prouder. I just hope he keeps me updated on the trends in dirty rap music.

Mom and I on Mother's Day. Buck is the BEST!

Is this shirt not perfect?
Pazza Bella in Hartshoren, OK

Mom and I can't pass up watching Armageddon. We were talking one day about Independence Day and Armageddon and she said, "I don't like Independence Day. That is just too far fetched." She is obviously  

Strawberry Pie.  

Frozen Meringue Cake.
I. Die.

Where the Vestal Maidens kept the flame burning in the Roman Forum.

Trevi Fountain

  

Gondola ride in Venice. 

Florence. I bought this amazing leather bag.
Top: Gap
Capris: Old Navy
Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer
Bag: Leonardo Leather

Fish Pedicures! Notice the audience?

I had never spent a lot of time with Miss Jenna Brett but I absolutely love her! She is hilarious and such a trooper. Her luggage was lost until the day before we left the country. She handled it with such grace.

The Colosseum. 

The dome of St. Peter's Basillica.
Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Duomo
Florence, Italy

My hair never looks this good state side.

Venice, Italy

Fish Pedi.
Venice, Italy

Holy Mutha of Fashion
Venice, Italy

I don't eat bread, but this pizza was divine! I ate all the cheese and sauce. I received a few stares.

I am very guilty of the selfie on this trip.
St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

I ate my weight in gelato.

St. Peter's Alter in St. Peter's Basilica.
Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Pantheon!
Rome, Italy

Juliet's Balcony
Verona, Italy

Last day. Hot and tired, but it was so worth it.

Duomo
Florence, Italy

Let's go ahead and thank Jamie Fink for the next few pictures. I hate him and love him at the same time.
Jerk.

I love this one. I am too prep for my own good.
Top: Gap
Shorts: Vineyard Vines
Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer
Shoes: Keds
Sunglasses: RayBan

Lilly

I died laughing. I will never send Snaps to Sharry while on vacation again. Sorry.

Throwing our coins into the Trevi Fountain!
Rome, Italy

I'm coming home.

When I got back to my apartment I crashed by 10pm and was on the road by noon the next day. It was Memorial Day Weekend and I was meeting my family at the lake house. I also attended a wedding and ran into this face. Megan is a sorority sister of mine and possibly my spirit animal. 

My family also celebrated my cousin Lakyn's 5th birthday.
It was Frozen themed.
We are a little over the top.

Both of my nephews came to the lake as well.
Oscar was a phantom when it came to pictures while GJ was attached to my hip.

L and GJ after the game. L had a great game!

We toted that baseball bag around the whole night.

Selfie with GJ and Strike!

Morning cup of Joe = Chocolate Milk


While I love traveling, I am very happy to be home.