These three things stole my heart this weekend.
Eric Church, Luke Bryan (whew! hothothot), and the best, most expensive ice cream I have ever had.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Not so Goodwill
It's been a while, friends... life has been good. No complaints. But also, nothing significant enough to write about... until now!
A while back, a Facebook "friend" posted that they had just returned something at the Dollar Store. I giggled, and then thought to myself - would I do that? Probably not. I love a deal. I use my coupons and almost never buy anything full price. But I don't know if I'd go as far as to take something back that cost me less than the gas it would take to get there.
Through my "thrifty"ness, I've also grown to love Goodwill, thrift stores and garage sales - more for the kitschy items mostly. I go from time to time, usually when I am bored - but my stop yesterday at Goodwill was not to buy, but to give. I had a bag of various items that I took to their drive-up donation center. As I was getting out of my car, a young teenage girl stopped me.
" 'Cuse me...my momma wants to see what's in your bag." I looked up to find a tall, slender woman in a maxi dress, wearing huge sunglasses and equally huge hoops. I looked further past her to see she had just stepped out of a silver Mercedes.
I was hesitant, and very confused. I opened up my bag to show her a mixture of scarves, cookbooks and picture frames that was my trash, and hopefully someone else's treasure. She reached her hands down in the bag, moved a few things around, but ultimately decided she wasn't interested.
"No, no I'm looking for notebooks."
At this point, I really didn't know what to say. What if I had a notebook... would she have taken it? Given the money to me? To Goodwill? Or offered money at all?
Was she going to Goodwill to shop for notebooks? Because I am pretty sure they are all of $1 at the CVS up the street. Brand spankin' new ones.
The whole scene, which was all of 60 seconds, left me completely baffled. I guess people that drive $60,000 luxury vehicles like their deal as much as the next person.
But please, don't take from charity.
A while back, a Facebook "friend" posted that they had just returned something at the Dollar Store. I giggled, and then thought to myself - would I do that? Probably not. I love a deal. I use my coupons and almost never buy anything full price. But I don't know if I'd go as far as to take something back that cost me less than the gas it would take to get there.
Through my "thrifty"ness, I've also grown to love Goodwill, thrift stores and garage sales - more for the kitschy items mostly. I go from time to time, usually when I am bored - but my stop yesterday at Goodwill was not to buy, but to give. I had a bag of various items that I took to their drive-up donation center. As I was getting out of my car, a young teenage girl stopped me.
" 'Cuse me...my momma wants to see what's in your bag." I looked up to find a tall, slender woman in a maxi dress, wearing huge sunglasses and equally huge hoops. I looked further past her to see she had just stepped out of a silver Mercedes.
I was hesitant, and very confused. I opened up my bag to show her a mixture of scarves, cookbooks and picture frames that was my trash, and hopefully someone else's treasure. She reached her hands down in the bag, moved a few things around, but ultimately decided she wasn't interested.
"No, no I'm looking for notebooks."
At this point, I really didn't know what to say. What if I had a notebook... would she have taken it? Given the money to me? To Goodwill? Or offered money at all?
Was she going to Goodwill to shop for notebooks? Because I am pretty sure they are all of $1 at the CVS up the street. Brand spankin' new ones.
The whole scene, which was all of 60 seconds, left me completely baffled. I guess people that drive $60,000 luxury vehicles like their deal as much as the next person.
But please, don't take from charity.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
my virtual closet
Online shopping is one of my guiltiest pleasures...even if it is just for fun and I know in the end, I'm too cheap to buy it anyway. Here are some of the things for spring that are currently waiting patiently in my virtual shopping bags.
stripes are so fun!
loving these colors...a great dress to wear to a wedding, out to dinner or on your beach vacation
a spring standard that you can take in to the fall with a burnt orange cardigan or scarf
i live in flats, and these bright orange ones will go with more than you think
cute weekend top that's easy on your wallet
stripes are so fun!
loving these colors...a great dress to wear to a wedding, out to dinner or on your beach vacation
a spring standard that you can take in to the fall with a burnt orange cardigan or scarf
i live in flats, and these bright orange ones will go with more than you think
cute weekend top that's easy on your wallet
Thursday, March 1, 2012
questionnaire
It has been a LONG time since I last blogged - too long! Lots of things have been going on that have taken my time and energy away from this blog and writing. But the one good thing about it is it's always here when I just want to pick back up and start fresh!
I thought I would pick up where I left off with this fun little survey a friend sent me to fill out. I remember doing surveys all the time when I was a teenager and they were sent almost daily to my AOL email. I don't know why I thought they were so fun, but I did. Maybe I was just a nerd. And still am.
So here is another one for old time's sake!
TEA OR COFFE
I thought I would pick up where I left off with this fun little survey a friend sent me to fill out. I remember doing surveys all the time when I was a teenager and they were sent almost daily to my AOL email. I don't know why I thought they were so fun, but I did. Maybe I was just a nerd. And still am.
So here is another one for old time's sake!
TEA OR COFFE
unsweet tea, extra lemon! i drink it like water
I COLLECT...
stationary and vintage jewelry/purses/hats
FAVORITE CITY
chicago
SPRING OR FALL
winter :)
BLOOM OF CHOICE...
big, bright red tulips
CHINA PATTERN
never really had reason to think about it, but if i had to choose it would be something very, very plain
STYLE ICON
jackie o
FAVORITE FRAGRENCE
miss dior cherie
I'M LUSTING AFTER
MOST PRIZED POSSESSION...
a signet ring that was my great-grandmothers, my pearls from my mema, and a cocktail ring made of my grandmother's earrings
GIRL CRUSH
betty white, miranda lambert
BOY CRUSH
brad paisley, blake shelton, ryan reynolds...was i suppose to pick just one?!
ON WEEKENDS, I...
love to sleep, clean, wine, dine, shop, bake, re-charge and wear no makeup
FAVORITE CUISINE
tossup between greek & mexican
I WEAR ___ ALL THE TIME
cardigans
FAVORITE COCKTAIL
cold, dry white wine
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Today I switched over to my 2012 planner. Yes, I still use a hand-held, paper planner. And as long as they are around, I'll still use them. I write everything in my planner. If I ever lose it, I'm screwed.
Before tossing in the trash, I flipped through it for memories sake. It reminded me of all that 2011 has brought me...and while there have definitely been some hills to climb, many blessing have also been sent my way.
So true to the nature of many blogs this week, and David Letterman, here are my Top 10 Moments of 2011.
10. Saw Brad Paisley in concert 3 times this year!
9. Second Tuesday of every month - my supper club - love those girls.
8. Took a new position at work in July...still really enjoying it.
7. My 10 year high school reunion happened and it was SO MUCH FUN!
6. Obviously went to my fair share of weddings. Even got picked up by a 65+ year old at one. No thanks.
5. In May, there were three precious babies born within 5 days of each other - Eve, and twins Lily and Jackson. They are all angels!
4. Sarah and Whitney moved back to Nashville!
3. Took a trip to the beach in March with my family.
2. Traveled to California and Washington to see Carla and Tori this summer. Saw so many things I'd only seen before in pictures.
1. More or less forced myself to meet Blake Shelton on a random street corner one Wednesday night. I had no shame...and he was awesome.
I'm off to the beach with friends to ring in 2012... Happy New Year to you all!
Before tossing in the trash, I flipped through it for memories sake. It reminded me of all that 2011 has brought me...and while there have definitely been some hills to climb, many blessing have also been sent my way.
So true to the nature of many blogs this week, and David Letterman, here are my Top 10 Moments of 2011.
10. Saw Brad Paisley in concert 3 times this year!
9. Second Tuesday of every month - my supper club - love those girls.
8. Took a new position at work in July...still really enjoying it.
7. My 10 year high school reunion happened and it was SO MUCH FUN!
6. Obviously went to my fair share of weddings. Even got picked up by a 65+ year old at one. No thanks.
5. In May, there were three precious babies born within 5 days of each other - Eve, and twins Lily and Jackson. They are all angels!
4. Sarah and Whitney moved back to Nashville!
3. Took a trip to the beach in March with my family.
2. Traveled to California and Washington to see Carla and Tori this summer. Saw so many things I'd only seen before in pictures.
1. More or less forced myself to meet Blake Shelton on a random street corner one Wednesday night. I had no shame...and he was awesome.
I'm off to the beach with friends to ring in 2012... Happy New Year to you all!
Friday, November 18, 2011
...these are a few of my favorite things
I know we are still a few days out from Thanksgiving, but I just can't help getting in the Christmas spirit. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love seeing my family, and I really, really love the food. No one can make dressing (Not stuffing. I'm from Tennessee, remember...) like my grandmother. And I am convinced I could live off of sweet potatoes alone if it came down to it.
But there is just something about Christmas that is so magical. The days leading up to it are busy, yes. Parties, parties and more parties. Concerts, plays, luncheons...they all seem to hit at once. Despite hectic schedules and crowded places, the Christmas season brings so many things that bring a smile to my face. Some little and mundane; and others that bring back some precious childhood memories.
Here is my list!
I love wrapped gifts - I try to wrap as many as I can, as opposed to gift bags. My grandmother always wrapped my presents in the nicest paper with the most exquisite bows and adornments. At the time, it was the last thing I cared about - I just wanted to see what was in that present! But now that she is gone, her attention to each and every gift to her family is what stands out more to than what was inside the box.
Cold weather is my favorite. I lived in my black and white polka dot Target rain boots last year and jumped at any chance to wear them during any talk of rain or snow. I love the look of these Hunter rain boots with warm sock inserts!
I watch Christmas movies year-round; yet I can not choose my favorite between Home Alone (can quote the whole thing), Christmas Vacation (You serious, Clark?), and Love Actually (Hugh Grant dancing to Jump is one of my all time favorite movie scenes).
These old time Christmas light bulbs are not something you see that much any more, but again, something insignificant that brings me back to Christmas at my grandmother's. Her tree was covered in them every year that I remember.
Christmas music starts 24/7 the day after Thanksgiving (at least on the radio), but I may or may not have already listened to a few of my favorites. "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Carrie Underwood (of course) is pretty much on my iTunes repeat; but when it's on the radio, Martina McBride's "O Holy Night" will stop you in your tracks. This particular version is a capella, and it's amazing. It's almost a religious expierence just listening to it.
How fun are these cutesy Kate Spade bow earrings? And I love emerald green as an alternative to red and/or black for a Christmas party!
Who can forget the food? A lady in my office always makes puppy chow (chocolate peanut butter Chex Mix) and I can't help but take extra helpings when she brings it in. I also love those limited edition candy cane Tootsie Roll pops that are now in stores! And sausage balls, and spice tea, and...
I hope that you can find time to appreicate all things that are important and meaningful to you and your's during the season, and in doing so, be sure to stop and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
But there is just something about Christmas that is so magical. The days leading up to it are busy, yes. Parties, parties and more parties. Concerts, plays, luncheons...they all seem to hit at once. Despite hectic schedules and crowded places, the Christmas season brings so many things that bring a smile to my face. Some little and mundane; and others that bring back some precious childhood memories.
Here is my list!
I love wrapped gifts - I try to wrap as many as I can, as opposed to gift bags. My grandmother always wrapped my presents in the nicest paper with the most exquisite bows and adornments. At the time, it was the last thing I cared about - I just wanted to see what was in that present! But now that she is gone, her attention to each and every gift to her family is what stands out more to than what was inside the box.
Cold weather is my favorite. I lived in my black and white polka dot Target rain boots last year and jumped at any chance to wear them during any talk of rain or snow. I love the look of these Hunter rain boots with warm sock inserts!
I watch Christmas movies year-round; yet I can not choose my favorite between Home Alone (can quote the whole thing), Christmas Vacation (You serious, Clark?), and Love Actually (Hugh Grant dancing to Jump is one of my all time favorite movie scenes).
These old time Christmas light bulbs are not something you see that much any more, but again, something insignificant that brings me back to Christmas at my grandmother's. Her tree was covered in them every year that I remember.
Christmas music starts 24/7 the day after Thanksgiving (at least on the radio), but I may or may not have already listened to a few of my favorites. "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Carrie Underwood (of course) is pretty much on my iTunes repeat; but when it's on the radio, Martina McBride's "O Holy Night" will stop you in your tracks. This particular version is a capella, and it's amazing. It's almost a religious expierence just listening to it.
How fun are these cutesy Kate Spade bow earrings? And I love emerald green as an alternative to red and/or black for a Christmas party!
Who can forget the food? A lady in my office always makes puppy chow (chocolate peanut butter Chex Mix) and I can't help but take extra helpings when she brings it in. I also love those limited edition candy cane Tootsie Roll pops that are now in stores! And sausage balls, and spice tea, and...
I hope that you can find time to appreicate all things that are important and meaningful to you and your's during the season, and in doing so, be sure to stop and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Friday, November 4, 2011
the obits
My uncle has passed along a strange, albeit hilarious, ritual - checking the local section of the daily paper for the obituaries.
Now, before anything is said, know that this is by no means meant to disrespect those who have passed.
It started when he was searching for friends of his parents, in order to pay his respects. What followed was simply an observation - printed for all to see - of people's off-the-wall, quirky nicknames that are displayed in their death notice.
Here are some of my favorites that I have documented over the past few weeks - using only their first names.
Unless you have absolutely zero sense of humor, you will find that at least one of the following will give you a little chuckle. With nicknames like these, I'd like to think these people lived life with no shortage of laughs.
George "Big Roy"
J.L. "J-Bird"
Alan "Weasel"
Edna "Snook"
Margaret "Tooter"
Gwen "Ladybug"
Horace "Tex"
Jarney "Possum"
Phillip "King Phil"
and my personal favorite:
Joseph "Sugar-doo"
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