listening to old alabama

{Enter here to win $50 from Shabby Apple vintage boutique}

I have lived in the Washington, D.C.,  area for nearly 12 years, but at my core I was Born Country. Naturally, when the 1980s country band Alabama announced its reunion tour I would be going. I reached out to friends whom I knew would be as In A Hurry to buy tickets as I. I hopped a plane to Take Me Down to Atlanta for the show at the Fox Theater with my friends Cassie, Whitney, Monty, and Shannon. 

With Monty and her hat

As Cas + I were checking in to the Georgian Terrace , I looked left to see Randy Owen, Alabama's lead singer. I should have asked for a picture. I should have told him how his simple, southern lyrics have played like a Jukebox in My Mind since I was a child. I feel like he might have been amused to hear how in college we'd always turn up Tennessee River at tailgates, how once at a Capitol Hill house party an Old Flame was so impressed at my stellar clogging moves to Mountain Music he invited me home to meet his family, or that my match.com headline read Dixieland Delight, probably my most favorite song of all time.  I didn't, though. I was too cool.

The view from the Cheap Seats  

Later that night, long after he'd opened up his case, we did see band member Jeff Cook at the hotel, and he couldn't have been nicer to all us silly fangirls (and one guy: Whitney's husband, Jason, likes Alabama so much he asked to join our girls' group and well, You Can't Keep a Good Man Down).

Jeff and The Fans

The concert was a great excuse to build a girls' trip down in Dixie, and while I was there I got to see friends and family for whom Georgia is Down Home. I stole a night in the 'burbs with my cousin, Kim.  My high school friend, Melanie, met us for dinner before the show.  

We get together anytime we can. 

After our night in Atlanta, a few of us made plans to Roll On into a High Cotton resort and spa. All of it made for a getaway that was Close Enough to Perfect for Me. 

my afternoon with prince harry

Last week, I got a blast-from-the-past email from a friend whom I haven't seen or spoken to in years.

She'd been watching TV coverage of Prince Harry's Washington, D.C., visit and thought she saw me in the background, stalking the royal uncle-in-waiting as he roamed the halls of Congress.

"I know that's something Patra from 8 years ago would do," she said, "was it you?"

If the MI6  has a file on me I wouldn't be surprised. I tend to make the paper(s) when the Brothers Wales dominate American headlines. I can't deny it's odd behavior for a lady of my age, but if the ginger prince came to your office wouldn't you try to catch a glimpse?

With just a little shame, I admitted to my friend that it was likely me, as the photos seen on the front page of UK Daily Mail (and also on CNN, HuffPo, WaPo, Gawker, USA Today and People) would confirm.  

In defense of all us curious anglophiles, I will tell you that the welcome we gave Harry was indeed hospitable but hardly the Beatles-crazed mania you read it was.  UK Daily (one of my favorite reads; I was highly amused to make its print) reported that police escorted us all back to our desks. That didn't happen (but should security have tried, I was ready to test the Reese Witherspoon I Am An American Citizen defense). Though mocked globally, our curiosities obstructed no one's justice. 

jenni for the {royal} win

If you've been reading I Do Declare for a while you may recall I had a little royal wager with my friend Jenni on when Kate + William might become Mom + Dad. I was sure it would be within a year of their royal nupts. Jenni knew better; she said later rather than sooner. On the line with this bet was a pricey bottle of bubbly. I paid up back in the summer.

We should have saved the Veuve for yesterday's  big announcement.  Instead, in the spirit of Catherine's pending reign into the mommyhood, I'll announce the winner of my Secrets of The Mommyhood give-away. It's Jessica Mesnick, whose fave TV mom is....Miranda from Sex and the City. Yay!

caught RED-handed

**enter here to win a signed copy of Secrets of the Mommyhood**

This is me trying to decrypt the liner notes from the new Taylor Swift album, RED. 

MAPLE LATTES. FOR ETHEL. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW.

I can't help it, I'm a TSwift apologist. I feel like I can very much own this because I didn't read any of those vampire books. I claim vampire immunity a lot when justifying very common practices (see above, I'd just finished rereading War and Peace). I can champion songs that are straight up US Weekly to music because I was never on any of the vampire teams. So I did this weekend, combing through the lyrics to unriddle Taylor's vague but oh-so telling messages. I can't tell you how much it intrigued me. And made me feel 13. I feel like in 2013 I'll be making heart hands at her concert. Dan says he'll take me. He's my Joe, Jake, John, Connor, Taylor (aka Jacob) Edward. 

For her part, Chloe says she'd rather hear a dog whistle, which totally shocked me. I figured she'd be all ears for songs about puppy love. 

my interview with {sometimes} suri cruise

Obviously I'm a fan of Suri's Burn Book - that's why I stalked out its author (and Washingtonian!) Allie Hagan.  Find out where Suri Cruise might shop if she came to Washington over in my Social Studies column at Fedscoop. 

Happy Friday!

first birthday gift for little girls

I never have a clue what to give a child on its first birthday.  Moms can be very particular about the types of clothes their kids wear, and what do I know about toys? Nada. 

I think I have found the perfect present for an auntie-type to gift a baby girl that will guide a path that leads towards citizenship of  the world. This gift will inspire dialogue on global issues like the economy....

and international affairs.

Vanity Fair covers and Ferragamo kitten heels, sadly, are not the birth right of every little girl, but if we can instill in the next generation how imperative it is to relate to other women on a very common level of pop culture and fashion...

then we've done our job in outfitting the next generation for the red carpet that is life. Just like the practice of proper sunscreen application, one can never, ever start too soon.

That is why I'm giving Suri's Burn Book to every little girl I know. 

my nashville dream

Did you watch the series debut of Nashville last night on ABC? I didn't...I'd long since watched it online because I am just not into delaying gratification. I have to tell you, I thought from the show previews (and see also the movie Country Strong) that it was going to be pretty cheesy.   It isn't entirely without cliche and the Southern accents could use a little work, but I love the music, I love seeing Tennessee in lots of beauty shots, and I LOVE Connie Britton. 

I think she's really good in this role if for nothing more than I never saw her as Tami Taylor, her character from Friday Night Lights. She's full-on channeling Faith Hill on the stage and I'm thinking Martina when she's being a mom. And her hair....

Here's my dream, though, and tell me if you're feeling it, too. Kyle Chandler (aka, Coach Taylor) makes a guest cameo as his character not-Dusty from Pure Country. 

photo credit here

Now that I'm certain I will never have perfect country music singer hair this is my new Nashville dream. 

q+a with hilary phelps

Her brother, Michael, may have some gold medals under his belt Speedo, but can he whip up sweet potatoes and recommend the best moisturizer for the changing season?  Hilary Phelps can, and does...then blogs about it with a true Genuine Joy! I shared some Q+A with this D.C. Lifestyle blogger. Find out where Hilary would take the First Lady to dinner in today's Social Studies column over at FedScoop!

In Knoxville with Gavin Rossdale and Garden & Gun

I flew down to Tennessee this weekend for a super quick visit.  There was a wedding.  There was love.  There was food and laughter and there was sleep lost because there was, as always, a time deficit.  For fun, there was even Gavin Rossdale on Gay Street (no Gwen, but Zuma + a nanny; they were getting gelato from here). I love a celebrity sighting.

The current issue of Garden and Gun has a great little feature on Knoxville. It tells of a city that is special but not over-confident.  You read the story and you would never believe it's about a place that, for years, has voted Olive Garden its favorite Italian restaurant.  I felt like a proud native reading that article, but as I dined on Market Square and strolled around downtown this weekend I felt a little like a curious tourist....one who is already anticipating her next return trip. 

Carrie Underwood's Country Cabin

You may have missed the sit-down interview Oprah did with Carrie Underwood that aired Sunday night.

Oprah didn't ask many fresh questions, so Carrie didn't reveal much about herself that we don't already know. She doesn't eat meat. She is shy. She loves dogs. What she did allow, for the first time ever, is a sneak peak at the weekend cabin outside Nashville where she goes to escape all the curious fans in her world....like, uh, me. In the video above, you can take a little tour. I, for one, am obsessed with the cabin, the grounds, the decor and would be fine living there maybe even Monday - Friday. 


When I win American Idol, I am going to replicate this rustic little charmer out in Virginia wine country. Oh, and Oprah...I like oranges, too. 

Southern Nights in DC

You can win a $50 gift card to shop Shabby Apple - enter HERE!

I grew up in Tennessee listening to country music and have remained a huge fan, especially of classic artists and songs. In fact, the older I get  the more classic I become, it's the old school stuff I love most. 

So, when I had the chance Wednesday to make a night in Washington a Southern Night by attending a special performance by Glen Campbell at the Library of Congress, I RSVPed yes in an instant. Then, I asked our new hire, a cute girl with college graduation just days behind her, if she knew who Glen Campbell is; she didn't. I felt old.  Patrick and Jocelyn do, however....

...and so they came, too!  Before the concert there was a reception, also at the Library. I had no idea there was this pretty garden nestled outside the Jefferson building....

That's where we spent most of our times stalking the catering staff for mini-bites of beef, lobster, shrimp and chicken salad... 

and also trying to casually find ourselves next to Jane Seymour, who was also there (obviously, with an open heart). She MC'ed the concert....

This night was hosted by the Alzheimer's Association....

You can find an open bar and free food around Capitol Hill on any night of the week, but it isn't always special, and this event was truly well done. 

Glen Campbell, who has been very public about his battle with Alzheimer's Disease, is on his final tour this year, playing hits old and new. I had tried to buy tickets for his concerts at The Birchmere, a cool dinner theater outside Washington, but all three shows were sold out! Last night's performance was so special, and I was just thrilled to get to see it. 

I'm Still Waiting...

Since Dan + I made our Hollywood acting debut last Spring by {almost!} being extra’s in the George Clooney movie, The Descendants,  I’ve been waiting on my SAG card to arrive in the mail. I’m still waiting.

Since leaving set in Hawaii I’ve been stalking IMDb to find out when The Descendants will be released nationwide in theaters. It’s opened in a few cities already, but for its showing in the ‘burbs this weekend?  I’m still waiting.

photo credit: Access Hollywood

Since I’ve been seeing photos of George and Stacy all over red carpets, I’ve been waiting for my invitation for just one premiere to arrive in the mail.  You guessed it - I’m still waiting.


Since this movie is sure to live up to all the hype, it will likely be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. And for the invitation to be there with the rest of the cast while “our” movie is being celebrated, to walk the carpet, to afterparty with Elton….when Oscar season rolls around, for those tickets…I’ll probably still be waiting.

My One Tree Hill Wedding Encounter

When Peyton Sawyer married Lucus Scott on One Tree Hill, her dad wasn't even at the wedding! That happens often in Tree Hill; parents, even those who aren't murderers, pill poppers or nasty bitches who destroy your fashion empire tend to be a tad overlooked. 

Peyton's dad (aka, the actor Kevin Kilner) was, however, at a wedding I attended this weekend for friends Katie + Kyle. If you recall, it was at Katie + Kyle's engagement brunch where this mega Tree Hill fan sort of acted a fool. I played it cool this time around, though, bordering only slightly shameless by asking, along with a few other cult followers of the show, for a photo.

It felt good to come full-circle from silly Fan Girl to toasting on the dance floor with Mr. Sawyer like we were old pals. I felt redeemed, and couldn't help but think, this must be the kind of peace for which Dan Scott's soul longs...(hee!).

What I Really Wanted to Ask John Grisham

There was a movie premiere Monday night in Washington. No, not Jen's. But John's......

John Grisham.  Or, as Patrick and I code-named him as we stalked him throughout a cocktail party...Jake Brigance.

 You're one of 'em, Jake...

Jake, er...John Grisham was among panelists discussing Mississippi Innoncence, an indy doc that showcases two wrongly convicted men from the same town in Mississippi, and their fight to eventual freedom.

The movie made its national debut last night at The Newseum, and the work hubs was kind enough to take me as his plus one.

I was excited to go because...well, there would be lobster corn dogs amd other savories served on sticks, thank you WolfGang. And though I am a tad more discerning before giving an RSVP, Yes to a school night event now that I domesticate from the 'burbs, I'm willing to trade a late arrival home for movie premieres with best-selling authors after-hours inside my favorite Washington museum.

I'm ashamed to admit, now having watched the film which was serious and moving, that I went into this night thinking only about things I wanted to beg of Grisham:

Why are you so smug when Matt Lauer interviews you?

What do you think of Justin Timberlake reprising the role of Jake from A Time to Kill on Broadway?

How did you get Matthew McConaughey so perfectly sweaty for your movie?

The thing is, Carl Lee Bailey was right when he called Jake out for only pretending to be a comman man. You knew that didn't you. You've seen A Time To Kill 2,342,423 times on TBS, too. So you aren't surprised that Mr. Grisham quickly took his by-line good-bye. He was no where to be found at the reception with the rest of us passed-app chasers.

It was still a great night, though. As any pap will tell you, be it actor or author, the thrill is in the hunt. What we lost in some face time with Grisham, we surely gained in prosciutto wrapped mascarpone.

Miranda Lambert Concert

County Road 233 ran through the 'burbs this weekend, and Dan and I took a spin on it.

Miranda Lambert played a shower at Merriweather, the hands-down best attraction of the 'burb town where we live. It's a great venue for seeing a concert!

I've been a Miranda fan since she was on Nashville Star, and I introduced Dan to her music when we first stated dating. Since then, she's become his official celebrity girlfriend, and his crush on her is pretty intense.

There's no crazy theatrics at Lambert's shows - just a small video screen. Like old school country greats (Dolly, Willie to name a few I've seen live) Miranda just starts her show by walking on the stage with her guitar and singing.

She did bring out the girls from her new band, Pistol Annies. They played a few songs that are really fun, and I enjoyed this part of the show the most, actually...

Up next for summer concerts - DOLLY.  That's next weekend, and I can't wait!

Miranda Lambert + Blake Shelton Wedding Video

They've been hitched for a while now, but People magazine just posted a video on its website of Miranda Lambert + Blake Shelton's wedding weekend.  Since I love country music and weddings, I watched. Three times.

The Sheltons got married on a Texas ranch. Celebrations surrounding my wedding were held on a ranch, too, so obviously I'm a tad partial to a rustic, downhome affair.

Table from Dan's and my BBQ Rehearsal Dinner - denim + burlap

You'll see in this video, so worth the 8 minutes of your day, these gorg vintage cowboy boots that Miranda gifted all her bridesmaids.  At my own rehearsal dinner, I changed into cowboy boots...

making Miranda + I, like, practically sisters, true? 

These girls, pictured here at our rehearsal dinner, are some of my oldest friends, and are like sisters to me.

I think if I could have attended any celeb wedding this year (save for the Cambridges, of course) I would have loved an invite to Blake + Miranda's wedding because it just looked like a crazy party! Not that some of my own guests didn't end the night napkin atop head......

 No matter how formal or casual wedding celebrations are, I think it's the personal touches that set another cake, another dress, another buffet line apart from the next ceremony or reception, and from this video, you'll see see the Sheltons' weekend was one-of-a-kind! You'll also see lots of their famous friends!

Tables at our rehearsal dinner were named after country songs. My friends sat here.

Withouth really* knowing Miranda and Blake, this wedding seems SOO very "them"!  What celebrity wedding would you have liked to attend this year?

*Back when "Austin" was just hitting radio, I interviewed Blake Shelton when he was rolling through Knoxville for some radio station gig. His manager said it was his first-ever interview. How, then, could  I have been left off the guest list?

Summer Loving

Boots No. 7 Wipes

When I stayed at Mary's house for the Royal Wedding Party, I forgot to pack my face-wash stuff. She had these, so I used them and it was love at first wipe. Since then, I've gone through about three packets. Recently, I threw them in my really junky beach bag down in Charleston, and LOVED having them handy for wiping my face after being in the ocean, or before re-applying sunscreen. If, like me, you're a lazy nighttime face washer, these are also fantastic.

Trader Joe's Cilantro Salad Dressing

Down at Folly Beach, near Charleston, there's a great little place called Taco Boy.

My family ate there every day we were at the beach, and I fell in love with the Mahi tacos, or more specifically, the cilanto lime sauce that came on the tacos. In an effort to recreate that now that I'm home, I bought this. It's not exactly the same, but it's super close, and super delish! I've used it twice for cooking since buying it on Monday, and it's in tonight's supper plans, too!

Reading by the Water

I LOVE to read in the summer.

Here's the view from the hotel where we stayed in Charleston. I'd curl up on a sofa on the porch and turn a few pages every day...after doing the same on the beach. While I was gone, DC Ladies posted a blog I wrote on great Southern books for summer.  Now that I'm back home, I have vowed to spend more time at the pool, with a book...instead of with a book on my couch! This weekend, I'll be reading the new Jen Lancaster, If You Were Here. What are you reading this summer?

Coach

My love for Kyle Chandler, the actor who plays Coach on Friday Night Lights runs deep. Like, so deep, I bought the final season of FNL months ago when it came out on DVR (before it aired on NBC) and watched it all in about 2 weeks. FNL fans - you'll love how it ends. LOVE. Anyway...Coach is in a movie this weekend, Super 8. It's Sci-Fi. I hate Sci-Fi. I love Kyle Chandler. Thus, I will go watch Super 8. What can I say, I'm brand loyal.

The Dress, The Hair, The Princess

Not that she wasn't a sight as a bride, but I think last night Catherine looked even more stunning than she did on her wedding day. LOVE her dress.

Meeting Dee!

I love that today, I'm meeting one of my blog besties, Dee, of Dee's Adventures! She's in D.C. for a wedding, so I get to give her a little VIP tour of the Capitol before lunch somewhere on the Hill. I feel like I already know Dee because we're like the blond/brunette/Vol fan/Tiger fan version of each other!

What are you loving this summer?