writer
Learning to let go.
I have never been one to let go of anything. In fact, I hold onto things longer than I should, to the point that it’s problematic. I hold onto everything. From physical mementos in photo boxes and clothes that don’t fit to memories (the good and the bad) and grudges. I am really, really bad […]
MoreSticks in the fire.
It has been a personal philosophy of mine for many years — and I’m sure many of my fellow hustlers out there have a similar mentality — that you’ve got to have as many “sticks in the fire” as possible. For me, the “sticks” are opportunities, or methods, and the fire is success… or money. […]
MoreThe Writer’s Retreat!
On Saturday, I packed a backpack and headed about 40 minutes outside of Austin to Elgin, Texas, where New Republic Studios is located. I was going to my first ever Writer’s Retreat, and it was also the inaugural Writer’s Retreat hosted by the Austin Film Festival, where I’ve been volunteering for the last two years. […]
MoreToday, I just wanted to… write.
Howdy! I’m sitting in my bed (my usual blogging spot), I’ve had two glasses of wine, and I’ve got a mud mask on… and it’s about time I just wrote something. You may recall that last week, I finished up another semester of teaching Blogging for Beginners at UT – and while it’s a time-consuming […]
MoreFinding pride in the soles of shoes.
**The following is a piece of original writing I entered into an essay contest. It didn’t win, but I like it, and I thought you might, too. Happy Humpday, y’all!** Each employee was to schedule a meeting with our new manager to discuss our job roles, challenges, and goals. My meeting was set for a […]
MoreDo I have social anxiety?
There have been times I’ve joked about having social anxiety – I know it’s not a joke – but I don’t really know if I have it. Why do I think I have it? In all honesty, as the years pass, I find it more and more difficult to be in social situations, especially if […]
MoreThoughts on ‘La La Land’.
Last week, my mom and I ventured to the Drafthouse to see “La La Land”! We were both pretty excited to see this movie, having both been fans of musicals since forever, and well, who doesn’t love Emma Stone? Sorry, I’m not huge on Mr. Gosling (and this is when everyone stops reading). But anyway, […]
More‘Dig’ magazine chucks the dueces.
Last week, I got an email from my editor at Dig: Hi Holly, I just had a team meeting with the office in Columbus, and we’re making a few changes to the structure of the magazine. With the new format, we’re looking to get away from more national trends and really focus on content that […]
MoreLife: Is this where you thought you’d be?
I mentioned on Monday (in my review of “What Alice Forgot“) that I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately. I was thinking about it before I read the book, although I’m not entirely sure what brought it on – it very well may be the fact that my 31st birthday less than one month […]
MoreCommitment: Yes, We Can.
As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve become addicted to watching “Vanderpump Rules” on Bravo each week. I’ve watched this show since its first season (season four just finished airing) and it’s a show that follows the very petty drama of the employees at an upscale Hollywood restaurant called SUR. One of the […]
MoreReading list (#goals).
I’ve been reading the same book for, like, seven months. And it’s not a thick book, it’s an easy, fun read. I’ve just only looked at it about twice. And why? Let me explain that I used to read ALL. THE. TIME. There were years, not long ago, where I read 25 books a year. […]
MoreFiction Friday: Black & Blue, part I.
The following is an original fiction piece, written by Holly A. Phillips in 2007, with great inspiration form her favorite hockey player, Sean Avery. I had 30 seconds left in the penalty box. From my bench, I could see the rows of puck fucks in the lower sections. “Once we go Black…” one sign read; […]
MoreCollege crash course.
Today is the first day of college for many students – this is something most people probably don’t pay much attention to, but when you live in a college town, it’s all anyone talks about. It probably doesn’t help that I work with mostly college students. But, hearing my coworkers’ stories often reminds me of […]
MoreWhy you should probably elope.
Is it just me, or does it seem like ever since Facebook happened, everything surrounding weddings has to be big, bigger, biggest, and frankly, better than yours? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to keep up with so many people and their happy life moments — those that I would definitely know nothing about if […]
MoreFiction Friday: Oil & Ink, part III.
This is the final installment of Holly’s original short story, “Oil & Ink.” Read part one here and part two here, as you wish. * * * “I need to talk to someone about financing a building.” The clerk looked Charlie up and down; from his miniature blond mohawk to […]
MoreA Review: ‘Paper Towns’ (the movie).
Whoop! It’s 11:37pm on Thursday, July 23, and I’ve just gotten home from the PREMIER of “Paper Towns” — the movie based on the bestselling book by fellow Hoosier, John Green (Yep, I read it). Y’all don’t understand. I’ve been looking forward to this movie since the day I put down the book… which was […]
MorePic of the Week.
Over the weekend, I’m proud to say that my friends and I completed what’s known as an “Escape Room.” I won’t give anything about our particular scenario away, but these escape rooms are all over the country (I even saw one in London, too!) and groups of people are setting out to conquer them. I’ve […]
MoreFresh Friday: Juicy Couture.
Howdy! I’m so happy that it’s Friday, per usual, but there’s something actually interesting about this Friday in particular: I have the weekend off! WHAT!? I’m really happy that my retail job is giving me the weekend off, given that I’ve worked my little booty off this week. So, once I get off work today, […]
MoreCookin’ up a Crush.
I blame Food Network for my recent crush on local chef Jay Ducote. He’s currently starring on season 11 of Food Network Star, where contestants compete to have their own cooking show on Food Network. My crush on Ducote started like any other “stranger crush” — one where you know basically nothing about the person […]
MorePic of the Week.
As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I am ATTEMPTING to make more time for myself; time to actually relax and/or do the things I love to do. In the last few days, yes, I’ve had to work several 8-9 hour shifts, but I also found plenty of time to do things for myself. For […]
More7 Unsexy things about me.
Happy Monday! I hope the weekend was fantastic for you — I had yesterday off, and was delighted to spend some time outdoors (working on my tan, as promised) and I met up with a friend to see a classic film: GREMLINS. All good things. As I continue on my journey of soul searching, I’ve […]
More9/50 Shades: Lovelorn.
Hey there! Just when you thought I’d forgotten about the “50 Shades” lipstick series, here I am with a new color. I had to dig up a backup for #9 because, originally, I wanted to tell you all about one I’ve been using recently by Victoria’s Secret. It’s their Beauty Rush line in “Melon Out,” […]
MoreBirthday Perspective.
I turned 30 last week. I’ve never been big on celebrating my birthday. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a little shy at times, or because having a birthday so close to July 4th made parties as a kid nearly impossible (everyone was always out-of-town). I never thought age would bother me — it’s […]
MoreJob Hunting: A lot like Dating.
I’ve been job hunting for eight months. In November, I lost my full-time, 9-5 job where I’d worked for almost seven years. Since then, I’ve been freelancing, helping clients with writing and editing, and I’ve been working retail part-time to make ends meet. What I’ve come to realize is, looking for a job is a […]
MorePic of the Week.
So, it’s only been officially summer for… what… a week? But now that July 4 is right around the corner, I all of the sudden feel like the summer is about to end! Summers in my previous life — when I had a desk job that allowed for free weekends — meant hours at the […]
MoreLove wins… so now what?
Hey y’all! I’m SO sorry about not blogging on Friday. Truthfully, last week was PACKED with all sorts of exciting life things, and I’ve been out living things, and moving and shaking, that I just didn’t have time to sit down at the computer and create something worth reading. And of course, all of those […]
MoreClosing the Door.
“This is a bit out of nowhere but I may be homeless in Baton Rouge tomorrow…” It was a text I got a few weeks ago from a fellow writer friend who was coming in town from states away. He went on to ask if he could stay at my apartment the following night. It […]
MorePic of the Week.
Yesterday, I did something I’ve needed to do for years… but I didn’t want to. I changed my Twitter profile picture from that of my late feline Orange Julius, to a semi-professional photo of myself. Le sigh. You see, I got my Twitter handle — @OrangeJulius7 — in 2008, when Twitter was just a baby. […]
MorePic of the Week.
When my mom was in town a few weeks ago, she treated me to one of my favorite things: TV on DVD. We went to FYE and I ended up with another season of the Mary Tyler Moore show (love it), another season of The Hills (obsessed), and the first season of House of Cards. […]
MoreFresh Friday: Yogini.
I know so many of you are AMPED that a 3-day weekend is upon us (not for me, but story of my life) — however, I hope y’all have a happy, safe Memorial Day weekend! And please, eat lots of burgers, because I can’t think of anything better than to kick off summer with a […]
MoreBoyfriend Recipe: Green Eggs & Ham.
Yes, I like Green Eggs & Ham, even in a house with a mouse… okay, so not really. When you actually think about it, green eggs and ham sounds super disgusting. Amiright? I know I’ve been a little slow to add to my collection of Boyfriend Recipes lately, and that’s mainly due to the fact […]
MoreStranger Love.
A 10-minute drive gets me to work for my part-time job at the mall. I take the same route, park in the same area of the lot, and I walk the same path to the shoe store where I work 4-5 times each week. On my way into work, I walk by one of those […]
MorePic of the Week.
My pic(s) of the week this time just HAD to be about Hangout Fest, since I haven’t even been back home from it for 24 hours! It was a weekend in Gulf Shores, full of fun, sun, sand (it was even in my hair), fried food, drinks, and of course: music! I will admit, I […]
MoreFresh Friday: Ezra.
IF YOU’RE READING THIS… I’M ON THE BEACH! And in honor of that, what better way to celebrate hot, shirtless dudes by having a scent profile of Abercrombie & Fitch’s elite perfume, Ezra?! I got a bottle of Ezra when I worked at Abercrombie & Fitch in college (stomping grounds for two years), and I’d […]
MoreFresh Friday: Very Irresistible.
Well y’all, we’ve survived yet another week! There are times when I just can’t believe I’ll get through another busy week, and then Friday rolls in like nothing else. A week from today I’ll be on the beach at Hangout Fest, so I’m keeping my eye on the prize! This week’s Fresh Friday scent profile […]
More8/50 Shades: Sunset Angora.
I’m continuing on my journey to discovering the perfect pink lipstick — The One that I can always count on; the one I toss in my purse when I’m on the go and in a hurry to look fabulous. This is not much different than my hunt for the perfect nude nail polish. My mom […]
MoreFresh Friday: Very Hollywood.
Hola, amigos! If you’re reading this… I’m driving. I’ve already hit the road and am heading to the Midwest for the weekend. If you need me, call me, ’cause I’ll be on the highway for a whopping 12 hours. Anyway, there’s no way I was going to miss a Fresh Friday due to travel — […]
MoreA Review: ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette?’
This book was one of the first I read using my iPad. “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” was on my reading list for what seemed like forever, and I couldn’t wait to read it. “Comedy heaven…. This divinely funny, many-faceted novel…leaves convention behind. Instead, it plays to Ms. Semple’s strengths as someone who can practice ventriloquism […]
MorePic of the Week.
In exactly 37 days, I’ll be on the beach! So, I have really started to amp up my workout routine, make sure my diet is clean, and that I’ve got the portions under control. Lately, I’ve been only wanting to eat snacks. I’m a firm believer in eating whatever your body is telling you to […]
MoreFresh Friday: Style de Paris.
A few weeks ago, I got my first Birchbox — a box full of designer samples each month for $10 — and in it, was a sample of Catherine Malandrino’s BRAND new perfume for women, Style de Paris! There was also a pretty awesome leave-in conditioner & detangler that I’m loving… As described by the […]
MoreBoyfriend Recipe: Pulled pork sammies.
Hopefully, the weather is warming up in your part of town and I know the LAST thing you want to be doing is turning on the oven… Which is why I chose this slow-cooker recipe! Your guy, and probably even your kids, will absolutely love these open-faced pulled pork sandwiches, paired with tangy broccoli slaw. […]
MoreFresh Friday: The Key.
It’s Friday! This week has been a weird one, that’s for certain, but I’ll explain why on another day. Today, all that matters is, it’s Friday, it’s the official start of spring, I’m wearing a pair of mint jeans that I got from Goodwill for $6, and we’re only 10 days away from the Justin […]
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The Bitter Lemon 
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