Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Well, things they are a changing...last I recall I was going to take some time off to figure out what I was going to do...so to speak.  The toddler/preschooler was (still is) moving ever so quickly toward being in "big school" and that was going to leave me with some extra time on my hands...despite still working from home.  I was starting to feel the pangs of sadness that come with putting your little one in the hands of other people who are mandated by the state to educate them, shape them, mold them, into the little geniuses they will surely become.  What would I do, follow my dreams of having a general store type hangout with cool clothes, banging bands, and loungy sofas perfect for reminding people of a simpler time all the while making a little money and having fun while doing so?  Or, how about turning 40 and preparing to welcome a newborn in February?  What?  Surely that'll be just as fun...though not as lucrative or free spirited.  Yep, you guessed it.  Just as I was meeting friends for super incredible house made vanilla lattes and bacon caramel popcorn...something happened and everything kind of went silent.  How could this have happened was the resounding question I had.  Over and over I'd wonder why at 40 this was so much easier than the 5 or so years we tried to get pregnant the first time.  Sparing you the details, it happened, I've adjusted (most days), and we are thrilled about our new little man that will arrive in February.  I was pretty sick at first and now am just battling general tiredness and crazy hunger.  So, that's about it on this end...which is a lot!  I'm not going to bore you with the details going forward or turn this into a "hey-everyone-look-at-my-belly-kind-of-blog.  I will try to update more often than I have in the past few months.  Needless to say, I've had my hands quite full.  In other news, the preschooler turned 5!  I can hardly believe she's so big. 
Stay tuned...hopefully I still have some readers after my hiatus! 

and...I'm back!

 I am destined to have both one of these gems...I mean, I have to have it, right?  Billy Reid, fellow Alabamian and fashion phenom has hit the nail on the head (in my opinion) with his latest in patterns.  Of course, I've always been a fan, with all the cool tees and swanky menswear but these feathered friends have pushed me into complete heart pounding, butterflies in the belly, kinda love!  Now, couple this with the fact that I'm spending Memorial Day in Florence, Alabama...home of Billy Reid, and...well, you might just label me a stalker! 

image credit: Billy Reid

intermission

It's been a long time...and it's become painfully obvious that I'm having trouble keeping my ducks in a row.  Why?  I don't know, time is escaping me somehow.  Maybe it's that the preschooler is, excuse me, Cinderella...(she demands to only be called Cinderella now) is keeping me super busy.  Or maybe it's that I've got a million things going on between work and trying to decorate our new house.  Or maybe, just maybe it's that I've got my head in the clouds daydreaming about something I want to do.  Something that is scary and exciting at the same time.  Of course I've done nothing to make this little dream of mine come to fruition but it's nice daydreaming about it nonetheless.  What is it, you ask?  I have this little dream of opening a southern style Anthropologie.  Think same kind of coolness but pair that with Imogene + Willie type flair.  I want a store that sells cast iron frying pans, jeans, cool shirts, Redwings, and a million other "picked" items...an updated general store of sorts.  Little bands on Friday nights, a shop dog and ice cold glass bottled coca cola to boot.  These are the things that keep me up at night.  Will it ever happen?  Who knows.  All I know is that I've always been nostalgic about the past...about playing in the front yard, about digging in the dirt, riding in my grandfather's truck, going through the "junk drawer" about a million times even though I knew every single item in there by heart.  These are the things that shaped me and these are the things that are missing in our world today.  Our kids (mine included) aren't playing in the yard.  They don't know about junk drawers or dirt under their nails or being hosed off or eating bacon out of an iron skillet.  They don't know what it's like to get stuff that's made in the USA...made with heart.  I want to give that to my child.  Give her a sense of nostalgia for something other than a Nook tablet or Nintendo DSi.  It's complicated and I know I'm rambling but my point in all of this is that I'm going to take a break from blogging for a bit to try to figure this whole thing out.  Please stay tuned.  I will definitely be back but I just need a minute to figure out if the cloud really does have a silver lining after all...

holiday hangover

I'm slowly but surely emerging from the holiday hangover that is...coming home after traveling nearly all month, to a home that appears to have been hit by a Cat 5 hurricane, decorations and tree still up, poinsettia slowly dying and a Christmas cactus that is for some odd reason blooming for the first time since I received it about 6 years or so ago!  I have no motivation to do anything.  I would have motivated to go to the BCS National Championship game but alas, no tickets, no dice.  So, here I sit...smiling halfway because I did muster the energy to vacuum the floors this morning but that's about it.  About to hit the showers as the rest of my day will be consumed by a 5 yr old birthday party.  It's Friday, I know...woohoo, should be excited but feels kinda like just another Monday.  Post holiday blues...that's what it is.  I'll let you know if I find a cure!  Until then, I'll slog through another day trying to rearrange the clutter to make me feel a little better. 
On a brighter note, I did get some great things for Christmas and enjoyed...beyond belief...spending time with family!  Also rediscovered the "haystack" holiday treat...butterscotch + chow mein noodles = phenomenal...thanks to a sweet sister that made me 2 batches!  (More on those later)

image credit: modmom

...and I feel fine

"It's the end of the world as we know it"

...Well, at least the Mayan's thought so.  And so, as I'm pretty confident that I'll get to wear my Hudson boots that I searched high and low for after the "world ends" tomorrow, I can't help but wonder what those calendar keepers so long ago must have thought.  While we've crept closer and closer to the "end of the world" date I tried best not to think about it.  But now, it's upon us.  And so I think...what will I do today?  Too bad the "last day" is so rainy and dreary.  But, if it weren't...I'd take the preschooler to the beach, her favorite place...and mine too.  We'd then head to Disney World, because, well...it's the happiest place on earth, right?  And I'd be heartbroken if she didn't get to see Aerial and Mickey and all their friends.  Then we'd eat the best crab at Joes Stone Crab in Miami Beach, before heading to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and eat a bacon sandwhich and macarons from Laduree.  I'd then head to New Orleans for dinner at Commander's Palace, followed by a Pimm's Cup at the Napolean House and listen to Dr. John at Tipitina's.  We'd swing by Cafe Du Monde for some beignets and get a coffee to go before heading home to be with my family...hold them close...hunker down with our dogs, and tell each other how lucky we are that the day is over and we're still alive...except we'll have no money left after that little jaunt!  Fun to think about nonetheless.  As the holidays approach, I'm so grateful for family and friends and just knowing they're there even when we don't see them often enough.  My heart is broken for the Connecticut children, their parents and their community.  It makes no sense and there are no words for such unspeakable events.  But, to say that we are all lucky to have what we have whether it's a lot or a little is an understatement in light of so many that are broken and hurting.  My heart goes out to them.
And so, I leave you with this...take a moment to reflect on the things in your life that you've experienced, endured, accomplished, this past year.  Make a promise to be a better person (we all need improvement), make a promise to be more present in someone's life who needs you or just needs a friend, make a promise to be more accountable for your actions and those that affect others, make a promise to be kind to others.  If we all do that...the world will be a better place and no calendar would ever make us think otherwise.  What's the world coming to?  It's coming to us, to better serve it, to better serve each other and to make it a better place...it's up to us. 
Hope your holidays are safe, happy, and sparkly.  Hope you get exactly what you want but most of all love.  Until the new year...xoxo!

Here's a little something to get your day and tomorrow started..."It's the end of the world...and I feel fine"

image credit: vale-timon-tumbler

Wish List time...

Where has the time gone?  It's nearly Christmas and I've yet to post my wish list...much to the dismay of my Mom...I'm sure!  So, here goes.  As before...these are things that I want, love, am coveting obsessed with!  I'm not suggesting that you should buy something or suggesting superior quality of an item...just merely suggesting that there might be a BIG ole smile on my face come Christmas morning if I should happen to open one of these items.  So, without further hesitation...I give to you...

The 2012 Wish List:

1. Dyson Vacuum - still pining for this sucker!
2. Banjo with lessons - cause let's face it, I'd be the hit of the party if I could twang a little twang!
3. French lessons - cause it's just pretty.
4. Sandgren "New York" clog boots in Royal Navy - cause they're different and they'd look good with everything.
5. Dixie letter press print from The Old Try via Garden and Gun - cause, well...you know.
6. Dixie T-shirt from The Old Try - again, just cause.
7. A weekend at Palmetto Bluff - cause it looks like heaven on earth
8. The Summer Red photograph from Garden and Gun for over our bed (top image) - cause nothing is more relaxing than thinking about riding in a truck with the windows down and the sun flying on your face.
9. A creative job - cause I'm so full of ideas I might pull a Van Gogh!
10. Tuckernuck Sunday Bag in chestnut or mango (or any color, really) with block monogram- cause I'm a Mom and my purse has to be big enough to hold gum and mints and small forks and wipes and tissues and magnificent drawings and baby dolls and general stuff that the preschooler no longer wants to hold! (and because I might have a tote fetish obsession)
11. A Barbour waxed canvas coat - cause, well...I don't know...I just really like them.
12. A hair stylist that I trust with all my heart - for obvious reasons.
13. A weekend with my girlfriends - cause it's been too long!
14. An upholstered wall - cause they are so glamorous and I could then fling myself against the wall or bang my head against the wall when I throw a fit for added drama.
15. My grandfather's old Chevy truck that no one drives that just sits there begging to be loved and driven down a winding road.
16. A Sarah Ashely Longshore painting - cause they're just plain fun and she's from my hometown and my friend!
17. A goat - the little kind - cause they are so cute and I've always wanted one.
18. A professional organizer - cause when I moved I discovered just how close I am to actually being on TLC's Hoarders.
19. Crazy, wild-eyed, no consequences kind of fun - cause I'm not sure that still exists once you're over 35 or have a child.  But I know I still have it in me...just sayin.
20. Calligraphy lessons - cause the art of handwriting is becoming extinct.

So, there you have it. I'm sure I'll receive next to none of those items but it's still nice to dream a little.  Maybe I'll compile all my wish lists into a little book to look back on.  Wouldn't it be fun to be able to see what I "wished" for in the 80's?  Man, I'd love to know.  I'm sure it included makeup and hot rollers and roller skates and anything sparkly or scratch and sniffy. 

What are you hoping and wishing for this year? 

image credit - Summer Red by stacey haines, photographer 

tis the season...

I ordered our holiday cards this week and have already received an email saying that they have been reviewed and are ready to ship...I couldn't decide which card and photo combo to use this year so I asked the preschooler which she liked best and her response..."I like them both".  They are both so completely different so I decided to order some of each.  And so, as I'm waiting with baited breath for them to arrive so that I can hold them in my hot little hand...I started thinking...I bet those people that work at those holiday card places like Tiny Prints, Shutterfly, Minted, Pinhole Press, etc. must have the most fun this time of year aside from the hustle and bustle of this probably being their busiest season.  Can you just imagine getting to see everyones best photos and designs?  I mean, I get so excited to just get one holiday card in the mail...I would be in heaven spying in on everyones life for a moment...living vicariously through them, going skiing with them, to the beach, sailing (cause we all know how much I love that!), camping, ect.  Who cares if they are strangers.  Every year when we go to the my in-laws house for the holidays, I look forward to perusing the big basket that holds all of their holiday cards they've received.  I know very few of the people but still really enjoy looking.  Imagine this on a much larger scale and getting paid for it!  Maybe I should consider a career change! 

p.s. I love this holiday card display idea (pictured above)!  I'm always at a loss for how to display holiday cards...this would be perfect!  I also have a friend that does a medium size foil (silver) tree and punches holes in the cards, adds pretty ribbon and hangs all the cards on her "card tree"!  Love that idea too!

image credit: me oh my

Thankful Thursday...on Wednesday

So, a funny thing happened this morning.  Today...on the eve of Thanksgiving, when people are beginning to get into that frenzied state of mind, shopping, cooking, general holiday craziness...I was swept off my feet by a stranger's generosity and kindness.  I had dropped the preschooler off at school and headed to Starbucks to commence sitting in the holiday line that ensues when they have all their fall/winter coffee flavors and and no one is working.  As I sat behind the biggest, shiniest, black Mercedes that I've ever seen, admiring the swankiness of it...the elitism of the Rollins College tag (look it up...it's a good one) the driver slowly pulled forward, forward still...I placed my order for a bacon gouda breakfast sandwich and a grande coffee. Still inching forward the man in the car of my dreams pulled away from the window...now it was my turn to pay and get my items.  When I arrived at the window the girl told me..."the man in front of you paid for yours".  As I looked up...searching for the shiniest car ever...he drove away.  I didn't even have a chance to give him a wave of thanks.  I can't really describe to you the feeling of such selflessness.  Yes, it was only an 8 dollar purchase but from a complete stranger makes it seem like a million dollar purchase.  It gives you hope...hope that more people will be nice, especially during the holidays.  I'm thankful for the man and the car and the Rollins tag that paid it forward today...putting a smile on my face and warming my heart more than any coffee could ever do!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for my girlfriends who are always there for me...you know who you are!  I'm thankful for my 5 very best friends that I've had since college...we talk every single day via email.  We laugh together, cry together, and know every detail of each other's life...especially the in-law parts.  We have been together since 1993 and never miss a beat.  We can go forever without seeing each other (though we prefer not to) but as soon as we're together we pick right up where we last stopped.  They have been an unending source of inspiration, support, and devotion.  I would do anything for any one of them.  They are the best friends a girl could ever have!  Hands down! 

p.s. kinda like these girls!



image credit: isaboo designs

Thankful...er, Monday's

I can't believe last week got away from me so quickly that I didn't even post my Thankful Thursday post!  So, here it is...on Monday...

I am thankful for my family.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family that loves and supports me no matter what.  My sweet girl lights up mine and the husband's life every single day.  I'm thankful for my parents and sister and for the husband's parents and his brother and their family who are all so loving.  I'm thankful for all of our extended family and the fact that we spend as much time together as possible...laughing, having fun, and catching up.  I can't imagine life without them!

image credit: isaboo designs 

big and small

Just thinking about some things...maybe it's the chilly mornings but for some reason I'm having this craving to crawl in bed with the preschooler in the mornings.  Actually, I find myself wanting to sleep with her at night too.  Also, every time I pick her up now I'm reminded that she isn't little anymore...soon, I'll no longer be able to grab her up in a moments notice.  Granted, there will always be that "super mom strength" for the scary-don't-fall-moments, but I'm talking about just the ease of picking her up for a hug or a kiss or simply because I want to carry her.  It makes me sad but at the same time I'm so excited for the little lady she's becoming. 
And so, in preparing my thoughts for her bedroom makeover, which was promised when we moved to our new house and also because she's kind of outgrown her toddler bed, I'm faced with a decision of whether or not to get her a twin bed or a full size.  The twin bed would be so cute and allow more actual space in her room for toys and for her to play...but, the full size would give her room to stretch her legs, grow, and let her Mama sleep with her!  When I asked her what she preferred she of course was thrilled with the idea of me sleeping with her...the Husband, not so much.  Or, maybe it's that I'm completely smitten with the bed we've I've picked out for her room (see above).  It comes in both twin and full size.  I have until Christmas to decide...big or small??

image credit: Land of Nod

Thankful Thursdays

November!  I can't believe it's already here!  Seems we were just getting the sand out of our shoes from the beach and now it's chilly and time to think about the holidays and turkey and hot soup!  For the month of November I'm going to replace "Thursday's things" with a new segment..."Thankful Thursdays".  I'll highlight things that I'm especially thankful for.  It's good to make these lists from time to time to put things in your life in perspective.  We get so caught up in our day to day activities and duties that I know I often find myself forgetting what's most important. 
And so, today...November 1st...
I am thankful for a washing machine and dryer that are not in a dark, musty basement.  (Sometimes, it's the little things).  I lived with my laundry in the basement for 10 years.  I despised going down there to do it and lugging it up and down the 13 stairs back and forth, back and forth.  Now, in our new house it's right in the hallway...down from our bedrooms.  It is life changing!

So, here's a little challenge...take a moment to think and write down one thing you are thankful for.  You can do it daily or on Thursdays like me.  You can share them here in the comments each week or you can keep them to yourself, whatever you wish.  But, at the end of November...you'll have a great little list of pick-me-ups that will help you slog through the hectic holiday season and the winter blues.  You'll be able to remember at a moments notice the important things...things that make you smile.

image credit: Isaboo Designs

when I grow up

If you could have any job in the world...what would it be?  Recently I've been thinking about that.  As silly a question as it is, it's recently become something of an endeavor for me...to figure out what in the world I'm supposed to be doing.  I've always had an office type position and never really felt completely settled or fulfilled.  Having gone back to work about 3 months ago I'm working out of my home now and while that sounds all idyllic...it's really been tough.  Partly because of the self-motivation, although the pace of the job has been so fast and furious I haven't as of late had trouble with that.  Maybe it's the actual stuff I'm doing...whatever it is, I know that I have that unsettled feeling.  That feeling that I should be doing something more...something creative.  I mean, I've got so much creative energy that there are times that my ear might come into question (think Van Gogh).  But, here's the problem...how do you capitalize on a quality that is hard to define?  People love to hire creative minds and forward thinkers but how do you get into that chair in their stark, bold office to profess your love of all things...er, abstract (think: outside of the box, bold thinking, artsy qualities)?  For years and years I tried to wedge my Manolo's into the razor thin door of a local advertising/magazine powerhouse...only to be told time and time again that I either had no experience or they weren't hiring.  And so, I pushed the idea of doing what I wanted to do creatively to the side and went to work doing a mundane job just like most of the people my age.  Then I started to wonder...and still do to an extent...does anyone truly love what they do.  I mean, on a day to day basis, does anyone get up in the morning excited to go to whatever it is that they do? I don't mean the workaholic type...I've known many of those.  I'm talking about someone who can't conceal the smile on their face when they talk about what they do.  That is what I want.  What do you want?

image credit: golden parachutes

gossip girl

Good lawd!  I have just had a major realization and I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't put two and two lacquered door-classic-Hermes-esque things together.  But...turns out, that little post I wrote a while ago...C. Wonder, well turns out the man behind the name is the ex-husband of fashion mogul Tory Burch.  That's right, Chris Burch is a venture capitalist who helped Tory launch her brand and is still a shareholder in Tory Burch, LLC.  And now?...you guessed it...he's mad as hell!  How did I miss this scandal?  Well, maybe it's not really a hot topic right now but after Brian Williams' NBC interview this Thursday about her empire and how "there's a dark cloud" over it...I bet people will be talking.  And so, because...despite my stalker tendencies, I know neither of them...I can honestly say that I love both.  Albeit, C.Wonder is much more affordable and looks just as great and classic.  I can't wait to get all the gritty details about this but for now...let's compare.  Below are photos of each store.  Orange is Tory's...Green is Chris's...

You draw your own conclusions but the resemblance is striking.  Now, I've got to find that brass pelican I spy on the top shelf of C. Wonder's store!  Seriously...I need it!

image credit: referenced in original posts

versions

I came across this blog post via Lost while perusing another blog fave of mine...and it resonated with me...I often find myself doing this exact thing.  Although, being southern we don't take trains to work unless we are indeed the conductor, engineer or wayward teenager(who is actually going nowhere).  Nonetheless...something to think about...

I have a new route to work now. On an overground train that passes parks and houses and a school, that passes other trains. On which I stand closely to strangers for about eight minutes, never more than 10. Sometimes our hands touch as the train lurches and one of us reaches for something to hold on to. Other times I accidentally make eye contact with the done-up blonde or the two men in suits, at least one of whom must feel choked by his tie, the other choked by expectation, regret, any of life’s other nooses.

Often I imagine what it feels like to be the wives of the men wearing wedding rings, to be the children of the mothers who can talk about nothing but them, to be the done-up blonde with everything so perfect and smooth and I wonder how many people ever get to be the version of themselves they wished they could become. 

And so, I think about what I wanted to be when I grew up...the version I've become.  Though the profession changed many times, the husband part, mother part, child part, I accomplished.  The "everything so perfect and smooth" part mentioned above...not so much.  But then, that's what makes us who we are and makes us strive to be better at the versions of ourselves that we imagined.

image credit: fifty-fifty clown via flickr

twilight

Very very close to being back at this.  For now...I'm entering a blue phase...as in navy.  Also considering white skinny jeans and riding boots paired with a fisherman's sweater, separately considering evening earrings for daytime, preppy ball caps for evening...seriously, my world is upside down.  And well...I'm kinda getting used to it and maybe enjoying the frenetic pace a little.?! For now though...all I can think about is SLEEP, SLEEP, and more SLEEP.  I'm so incredibly tired!  Stars would be nice too!
Can't wait to detail all the craziness soon.  Stay tuned. 

p.s. love love love this print!

image credit: katie daisy

Thursday's things...

Slowly but surely I'm gaining some ground on this work-from-home thing and full time school for the preschooler and moving craziness!  Hopefully I'll be back in blogging action very very soon.  But, I thought I'd do a "Thursday's things" post just to keep you reading and smiling! 

I'm a bag lady of sorts...I love a tote bag and my closets can attest since they are stashed in nearly every closet of our house!  I'm partial to L.L. Bean and Land's End boat totes because they are timeless and budget friendly.  Of course, I have a list of favorite non-budget-friendly ones I love as well but I'll save you the pain of their pricing on this post.  However, I've discovered a bag that makes me swoon and it could be my new favorite!  Tuckernuck is a genius because this bag captures timeless casual style while also looking very swanky without breaking the bank at $153!  Now, which one will I choose?  I'm leaning toward the 'mango' color since it's a Hermes-esque=orange...but I do love the 'navy' and 'chestnut' as well...which do you like? 



image credit: Tuckernuck 

eye of the storm

Given the fact that I've missed the last two "Thursday's things"...and trying to play catch up in all aspects of my life...somehow I feel like I'm in the eye of the storm.  I'll be back...just need a breather to figure out this new schedule of a million house showings, conference calls galore, and preschooler changes.  Ironically, nearly 7 years ago to the date I took a job with a company right before Hurricane Katrina hit and unleashed it's fury on New Orleans.  And here we are again...similarities eerie...I'm back working for the same company (essentially after buyouts and trades, etc.) and we have another hurricane in the Gulf trying to be all "I'm just like Katrina"...once again eyeing the Gulf coast and New Orleans.  So as to possibly break the crazy similar voodoo-esque chain of events I have to focus on some other things for a bit.  In the meantime...head over to some of my very favorite blogs...

http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/

http://www.atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/

http://thelovelist.net/

Happy reading and I'll see ya soon!

image credit: site for art

winding down

With summer winding down, I find myself clinging to the last days of freedom, days at the pool, weekends at the beach, and lazy days of relaxing.  What better way to bid summer farewell than with a few old movies that always make me think of those long fleeting summer days.  While I could go on and on, here are some of my favorite: Dirty Dancing...I mean, a family vacation in the mountains, love, scandal, swimming, and dancing...what could be better?  Next up, Bull Durham...such a great movie for so many reasons featuring the boys of summer and well...Kevin Costner!  And then there's Say Anything...it's the beginning of summer and Lloyd Dobbler does the impossible and spends a summer with the girl of his dreams...who wouldn't want to date a guy like Lloyd? And, last but not least, National Lampoon's Family Vacation...the "old family truckster", a dead family member, a crazy cousin, a cross country trek to an amusement park that's closed for repairs...summer fun at it's best!
Things have been crazy here the past couple weeks.  The toddler is now a preschooler, I've taken a job, and the preschooler started a new school.  With that said...we could all use a good movie day!  What are your favorite summertime movies? 

Thursday's things

Lucky Dog

When I came across this gem I was completely smitten!  If you know anything about New Orleans, you know the Lucky Dog!  The rolling hot dog carts that dot the street corners in the French Quarter for late night revelers and just plain ole hungry folk alike...a New Orleans tradition.  So, when local jeweler, Mignon Faget, debuted the Dawn DeDeaux- Lucky Dog necklace in sterling...knowing my love for Mignon Faget and all things New Orleans, I knew I had to have one!  And, maybe I'll have a little luck on my side...er, around my neck!

Go ahead...get a dog of your own here!

image credit: mignon faget