Music Edition: RIP Kidd Kraddick

Today's post is a very emotional one for me and is very different from my normal music edition posts. As I write this I have just finished listening to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning... for the first time without Kidd.

On Saturday, David "Kidd" Kraddick died in New Orleans at a charity golf event for his Kidd's Kidds foundation. I was at an engagement party celebrating when I heard the news. I was devastated. It's crazy how quickly we can go from one emotion to the another one so drastically different...

This morning Kellie, Big Al Mack, J-Si, Jenna, and Psycho Shannon all shared stories about Kidd and took a few calls from listeners who shared their stories as well. Now I'd like to share mine with you.

I moved to Dallas when I was in 2nd grade at the age of 7. From the start I listened to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning in the car with my mom on the way to school. Over the years I continued this traditional as we moved from city to city within the Dallas area. I even got to meet Kidd and Al once when I was around 10 years old. When I got my first car at 16 I continued to listened in on my own. Even when I went off to college in Baton Rouge, LA I was about to listen to the show because it is syndicated on one of the local stations there. I didn't listen as much during college since my commute was a little different. But, my last semester I had an internship and was so thrilled to be able to listen in again almost every morning. I would get so aggravated if I got in the car and there was one of those long commercial breaks and then a song that lasted my whole commute. I would get to work and turn it on at my desk computer for the live stream. In the past few years I hadn't been able to listen much at all, mainly because I don't have a commute anymore and don't wake up as early as the show is on. But, regardless am so honored to have been able to listen for as long as I have. 

The show has been a part of my life for almost 20 years. That's a long time. My childhood was spent listening to Kidd, Kellie, and Big Al. I feel like I know them. They were a part of my family. A part of my upbringing. A huge part of my life.

Kidd was such a great man. He did so much for unknown artists and most importantly his Kidd's Kidd charity for terminally ill children. I remember crying in the car in the morning listening to the stories about these kids that he helped and cared so much for. He's with them now and that alone makes me smile.

I'll truly miss listening to him. It was always such a joy to hear his voice and made waking up so damn early a little bit more enjoyable for me. Dallas has lost a real hero.

Thank you for everything Kidd, you really are a true role model. My heart goes out to your family and friends and all the listeners who love you just like I do. And as you would say, I'll say it one last time, "Keep looking up, cuz that's where it all is."

If you didn't know anything about Kidd or just want to see him in his true element check out this hilarious bit he did on the show a couple years ago. One of my best friends, who I listened to the show a lot with growing up, posted it on Facebook earlier today. It's just one of many bits Kidd did that made me laugh until I cried...

Chill Time In Marfa

Crop Top- Forever 21 (old, but similar) / Shorts- Vintage Levis / Kimono- H&M / Shoes- Keds (old) / Sunnies- American Apparel

On the one full day we had in Marfa we did quite a bit. We visited the Chinati Foundation (a four hour tour... so worth it), had lunch at a food trailer called Boyz to Men (yes, there was only Boyz to Men music playing from the speakers), went to Playboy Marfa and then frolicked around the downtown area. But, after all our activities we went back to Cosmico. We ate LOTS of snacks, drank LOTS of beer, sketched, painted, listened to music and just chilled out before dinner and a concert. It was wonderful. I love my friends and I had a great time enjoying their company in such a carefree environment all afternoon :) Oh, and thank you to my friend Tyler for taking these photos!

Instagrammin' in Marfa, Tx

The famous Prada Marfa. Permanent sculpture about 30 miles outside of Marfa. One of the most bizarre/coolest pieces of art I've ever seen. 

Of course we brought giant marshmallows to make s'mores. 

Stopped in Ozona on the way. The sky was so beautiful in West Texas.

The cute airstream trailer I stayed in all weekend at El Cosmico. The Little Pinky. I highly recommend staying at this site. They also have teepees you can rent!

 Went on a tour at the Donald Judd Chinati Foundation. It was incredible. This was just one collection of many that we got to see. A Dan Flavin large-scale work using fluorescent light.

Playboy Marfa. This was only put up a month or so ago and I'm really glad we got to see it. We heard it's being taken down in about a month because the artist and Playboy didn't get a permit to place it there. 

Planet Marfa. One of the coolest bars I've ever been to. There was a teepee and a school bus in the courtyard.

We made one last stop on the way back to Austin at Balmorhea State Park to take a dip in the park's huge fresh water pool overlooking the mountains. So gorgeous.

This past weekend I took a little road trip to Marfa, Tx with some of my best friends. It's one of the coolest places I think I've ever been. And it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. We had an amazing time! I highly recommend visiting. I can't wait to go back! Stay tuned for more photos from Marfa later this week :)

All images via @pieceology

Happy Fourth of July Apple Pie

Hi friends! I hope your Fourth of July was great! Even though I'm a day late with this it's technically the Fourth of July holiday all weekend, right?! Here's a little recipe for ya... which I've never done on the blog before. I don't do much cooking or baking, but my roommate made this apple pie for our pre-Fourth party we had a couple nights ago and so I wanted to share it with you. If you're having a Fourth party over the weekend this is such a great dessert your guests will love. I know ours did. And trust me, the cheese might seem a little odd, but it really is SO yummy! Happy holiday weekend everyone!

Ingredients
2/3 c. sugar
2 tbsp flour
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
6 to 8 tart apples, pared, cored, and sliced (6 cups)
1 9 in. unbaked pastry shell
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter
6 thin slices smoked cheddar

Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients; stir into apples. Line cheese onto pastry shell; add apple mixture on top of cheese. Combine remaining flour and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples. Bake at 400 for 45 to 50 minutes or until done. If pie browns too quickly, cover egde with foil.

Sneak Peek: Setting Up a Bar at Home

Happy Hump Day! I wanted to give y'all a sneak peek at my bar I just finished setting up. I'll do a more detailed post probably next week but I just couldn't wait to show you the end result. I'm currently setting up for a Pre-Fourth of July party my roomie and I are having at our apartment tonight. Exciting stuff! 

Have a great 4th and I'll be doing a special post tomorrow that is semi-Fourth related and something I've never done on the blog before so check back then :)