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

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

this, that, and those

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

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!

...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.

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"

And I said, What about...

Breakfast at Tiffany's!

This year I dressed up as Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was a really fun & easy costume to put together. I had to find a few "props" - nothing that Party City couldn't supply.

Except for the coveted Tiffany's blue bag - a must to complete my outfit.

I debated whether or not to go to the store and ask for a bag. I have a few pieces from there that I could have taken to get cleaned and then asked for a bag - but I didn't think all of that would be necessary. And, as my friends reminded me, I am the same girl that asked Blake Shelton for not one but two pictures, so this seemed like a piece of cake.

I walked in one afternoon after work. Ann Claire was with me. As soon as I was greeted, I said, I have a favor to ask.

I explained that I was dressing up as Audrey Hepburn for Halloween and would be willing to pay for a bag for my costume. The guy looked at me, dumbfounded.

All of the sudden, an old guy from behind the counter pipes up and says, "I'm sorry, we are not permitted to do that."

Permitted to give me a bag that probably cost them 50 cents to make? When I offered to pay for it?

I said, o.k., I'll just go buy a blue bag.

But, the crisis was averted & I ended up finding a bag from a friend.

Happy Halloween!

flea market find

What do Whole Foods, Target & the Flea Market have in common?

Really, nothing. Except I could spend hours upon hours browsing around at each.

I gravitate towards anything vintage and whimsical. I like something with character, with a story or meaning, and something you won't see on everyone.

The monthly flea market is the best place to find one of a kind items that you can't find just anywhere. Or, if you can find them elsewhere, they probably aren't nearly as cheap. Granted, it takes a good eye and some patience to sort the trash from the treasures, but a day off work Friday let me do just that.

I spent several hours looking at some really great, uncommon goods. Lots of things displayed remind me of my grandmothers, which is part of the reason I love going each month.

There is one booth I frequent - a lady who sells vintage jewelry and accessories at the best prices.

It was here that I found this little treasure. I have a collection of old purses that were my great-grandmother's - and for $10, I thought it was a good find.

What made it a GREAT find was what was inside - a ticket stub from the Grand Ole Opry in 1974.

How cool is that?

tourist in my own town

Tuesday night my friend Kayla treated me to an unbelievable show at the Grand Ole Opry. I've lived in Nashville my whole life, & the only time I've ever been was for Ann Claire's high school graduation...not exactly what it was built for.

I loved the show...every second of it. Another thing I can cross off my bucket list -to see Brad Paisley at the Opry! Even better were the other big performers, Carrie Underwood and Alabama. If I could morph in to anyone, it would be Carrie Underwood. Seriously, she's perfect. And I grew up listening to nothing but country music, so seeing Alabama was a huge plus. THANK YOU KAYLA!

Side note: if you've never seen or heard Carrie Underwood sing How Great Thou Art, then stop what you are doing right now and listen to it. It's life-changing. I have her live Opry version on itunes, but this video below is even better, if that's possible. Seriously, I cry every time I listen to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=related