Home For the Holiday

While I am sad that I am not waking up today in my childhood home in Tennessee to my mother telling me, "It's on, get up," as she rallys me to watch the Macy's Day Parade as we've done nearly every Thanksgiving since I've been alive, I would be lying if I said I'm not a tad excited (thankful, in fact) to be home - in my home - for this holiday.

It's probably a tad early for reflecting on 2010, but this year for me has been busy, and I'm exhausted. In addition to work and the full calendar we like to keep with family + friends, Mr. W and I have traveled more than we usually do, and it's catching up to us. The Dubs hasn't spent a weekend home since October 16.  I counted back through the months to realize I've been out of town 15 weekends so far this year.  Following a little Christmas in Dixie, we've issued a moratorium on going anywhere that requires a suitcase until April 2011. It's time to slow things down!

I have a lot of blessings to count this Thanksgiving, and after topping the list with the big ones like health, family, friends, employment and the ability to sleep in full make-up without getting a zit, the fact that I will spend the next four days tucked away from the world in the 'burbs with these guys rounds out my line-up as to why life is good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back to Blogging...

 Hello??

I'm wondering if my tens of tens of readers have given up on me since I went mute for a while.

I wish I could say I was off vacationing somewhere fabulous, or busy doing something worthy of my time helping people. Sadly, I wasn't.... I've just been working, and commutting and trying to keep afloat in my own daily grind.

While I haven't been blogging, or even reading blogs or doing much Facebook stalking I've been doing what I imagine the rest of you do all the time - keeping life in order.

For the first time in, oh, ever...all my laundry is not just done, but put away in the drawers and closets where it belongs. My house is tidy - not just tidy for me, but dare I say even kind of clean. I'd invite you all for a visit. Instead of waking up and going straight to a computer, I went downstairs and unloaded the dishwasher. Instead of writing a blog, I wrote in my prayer journal.

I've always been someone who struggles with balance, and all my energy has been thrown into nesting lately. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the choas returns to my physical world and I escape more to this virtual one. For now, though, I'm just checking in so you didn't think I was totally estranged, or even worse, out of the country and gag-ordered as I helped Kate + Wills with wedding plans.

Country Strong

I'm having a little party tonight....

because the CMA Music Awards will be on television.

This show is my favorite. More than the Oscars, I love it. I can't help myself - I'm from Tennessee. I'm a country music fan.

So, for as many years as I can recall, I've always watched this awards show with the Tennessee friends I've made since living in Washington, and in recent years, my friend Jocelyn has earned an invite...even though-slash-because like Carrie Underwood, she is native to Oklahoma.

Oh, and Mr. W will be there, even though he grew up in Maryland. He happens to be in love with Miranda Lambert, who I think will take home the most trophies tonight.

Even if you don't follow Nashville, you surely follow Hollywood? And if so, you know that Mrs. Mother GOOP herself is going to perform live the title track to her upcoming movie, Country Song, in which she stars with Tim McGraw as a struggling country star...or as Loretta Lynn would call her, a girl singer.

Will you watch? Will Reese, who presented once on the CMAs- in my most favorite outfit of hers to date - but never got to sing any Walk The Line diddies watch? Is she bitter?

I might be. The ground Reese grew up on was Nashville; not LA. Just saying.

Anyway...my point is, I'm excited for all the hillbilly hoopla this night brings. If for some freak reason you're excited, too, I'd love to hear your predictions on who will win what....

No Shoes, No Shirt.....No Camera!

Somewhere in the middle of the British Virgin Islands sits a shell-shack of a bar made famous in the Kenny Chesney song Somewhere in the Sun (...kickin back with Ivan, and all my friends down in the islands) and a Kenny Chesney video...



At that same old bar you'll also find my camera. I think.


I spent last week - as my boyfriend Kenny likes to say- "down island" in St John. The good news is, despite the trouble in paradise, the resort pool opened in the last few days of the trip, Hurricane Tomas didn't come near us, and I had a very relaxing time!

The bad news is...I won't have any pictures of this trip.


It was day day five of vacation - Boat Day.  We traveled from St John over to Jost Van Dyke. Of course I wanted to blog about it, I already had a post title - Cheeseburger in Paradise - because in addition to having the most spectacular beaches ever, there's a little bar called Soggy Dollar (Kenny's never sang about it...) and Soggy serves the best burgers. I would have loved to show + tell about it, but, well...after leaving Soggy, I left my camera at our next stop, Ivan's.

I left the camera Mr. W told me we shouldn't even bother taking because it'd likely get wet and be ruined in the short swim from boat to beach. It survived, unlike Mr. W's phone. Still, somewhere between snapping photos of all the happenings I'd hoped to capture forever, I failed to put the camera back into its safe, plastic baggy and into the beach bag. As our boat was floating away, and I wanted to snap one last memory, I realized the camera was missing, but...it was too late.
 

Flight Suit

There's often discussion in my office, and among my friends (and between Mr. W + me when I beg him to put on a button down instead of some t-shirt when we're traveling by air) about what one should wear when on a plane.

Fashioned Flyers

photo credit: whowhatwear.com

With people bringing on their stinky Taco Bell and flight attendents stretching the contents in one can of Diet Coke to serve four passengers, these days air travel is far from glamourous. It's no wonder people want to roll in the airport wearing pajama pants!

Carrie Under-dressed

photo credit: people.com

Maybe because I didn't grow up collecting frequent flyer miles, I still think there's something a little fancy about traveling by plane. That's why I will typically choose fashion over comfort when I take to the sky. I think travelers should dress for the occassion - even in coach.

I'm not talking anything that requires Spanx here, I'm just saying I make a pointed attempt to look put together...

I hope he's not headed West - Don always loses his mind in California! 

photo credit: infdaily.com

So, if say, I were to run into Jon Hamm at BWI and he wanted to get a picture with me, I wouldn't regret standing next to Don Draper wearing a UT Vols sweatshirt.

What's your travel style?

A Year in the Life

One year ago {on Monday - breaking news like a new blog designer and discounts on jewelry took presendence} this post made me a blogger....or moreso, a consistent one.

I had dabbled with blogging before, but for an entire year, I've been babbling about anything and everything, all while stalking  keeping tabs on other, far more  fun + clever writers who also like to show + tell. 

Though sometimes I think, Did I really just share that? or, Will anyone even care? I've had a lot of fun capturing snippets of my world. I love it when people chime in with comments, and I've loved "meeting" other women who are at the same stage in life as I am.

So, if you follow this blog, or have ever left a sweet comment, or you just lurk from time to time because you think Chloe is the cutest dog you've ever seen...I declare my thanks today!

photo credit: whopsiedaiziecards

Pearls of Wisdom on Election Day

If you live or work on Capitol Hill in Washington, you may have heard about the one week during the end of each year when, direct from Beijing, the infamous Pearl Lady sets up shop to showcase all her beautiful baubles - earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets - at very discounted prices.

A row house is filled with pearl jewelry (all rough-on-your-teeth real!) and the women who've been lucky enough to find out the address. The event isn't advertised...you just have to be in the know.

DC ladies think The Pearl Lady is a real gem!

Women pillage through the pearls, pushing and prodding. Even if you've no plans to purchase, sometimes like politics, it's just a fun show to watch.

So, because it's Election Day, and I feel like it's my civic duty...I'll spare you a big yard sign, an automated call or a debate on what I think you should do when you go behind the curtain today....

and give you the details about how you can shop with the Pearl Lady this month if you live in the DC area. 

Because no matter what your politics are, I think we can all agree that pearls make everyone look prettier....and smarter.

The Pearl Show

446 New Jersey Ave., SE - Washignton, DC

Thursday, November 11, noon to 6 p.m.

Friday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, November 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, November 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cash or American Express, Visa and MasterCard only

 Photo ID, business card, and e-mail address required for credit card sales.

Happy Shopping!

Persnickety Pages!

Today is big deal. Momentous, really, as far as the blog world goes - and not because it's my one year blogging birthday (more on that later this week!).

Today is special because I've known a little secret for a long, long time, and today the embargo is lifted on the news.  The old reporter in me still loves breaking a story and this story is big...

Persnickity Pages & More - a new, super-cute, super-creative, super-custom blog design site is being launched today!

If you wonder why I'm so excited, it's because my blog - this new look you've been seeing for a while - is one of PP's first works. Lucky me!

I got in on the action before business started to boom for my blog buddy Shannon...

If a Vol Fan endorses a Gator Fan, you know it's legit

who you likely know from The Webbisodes.

Typing and inserting pictures is about the extent of my savy when it comes to blogging so I needed professional help! Shannon was very gracious to give it. I love the fancy title font she gave me and how she fancied up my header, but most of all I love how much larger my pictures now appear, and how much wider she made my text box from the Blogger standard.

Shannon is SO easy to work with, and so quick to change any edit I have. Besides...with a daughter as cute and well-dressed as this...

how could you not trust her style?

BUT WAIT - there is MORE! You'll also find custom stationery design, and other pretty papers on her new site, too! {It's time to start thinking about Christmas presents...and I think stationery makes a great gift!}

Shannon is a former teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom, but a quick peak at her blog reveals she still has plenty of creativity and energy to give, and I know she'll be successfully channeling all her genious into adding some whimsy to the world. I love supporting women who give the energy and have the nerve to start a business, so I hope you will pop on over to Persnickity Pages right now and give Shannon your support!