Don't Run Out on Your Faith

This recession keeps hitting more and more people I care about - whether I know them personally or not... here is a shoutout to some of my favorites who are aggravated and tired of the economy shutting them out... try to remember His Door is Always Open... even when you feel tired and betrayed by God's plan.

<3

Live:


Official Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUtFEKhtB30

YAY

I fixed my entry about the Kreativ awards - it is posted here: http://worthingtonstyle.blogspot.com/2009/03/apparently-i-am-kreativ.html

I am just sad I literally had to re-input all of my cute pictures from before --- check out my entry to see if you were tagged!!

xoxo

Tory Burch love!

Okay, so of course, I got one of my daily Nordstrom emails and it definitely grabbed my attention as it mentioned Tory Burch and Milly - two of my favorite brands! So I decided it had been a while since I had perused one of my choice shoe brands, and I found 5 styles that I think are super hot for Spring/Summer 09! I was incredibly inspired today because, thank goodness, it is finally warm-ish outside again, it finally stopped raining (of course the day AFTER we finished moving things into the new house), and there is a soothing breeze which inspired me to open up the house!

1. Tory Burch "Francesca" Gladiator sandal.
What I love about this shoe is that it isn't that regular S&M look that other Gladiator sandals have, I really find that the brown and gold softens it into a much more prep-friendly wardrobe piece, which is especially nice if you desire not looking like a Carrie-Bradshaw-SATC-Movie-from-last-year-poser (you know what I mean, that Gucci gladiator was EVERYWHERE!)!!

At Nordies it retails at $425.00.

2. Tory Burch "Holly" Patent Leather Sandal.
What I like about this shoe is that it looks like a Wedge on first glance, when in all actuality, it isn't. The shoe has a really lovely height that makes it hot-date or un-air-conditioned church service -friendly, not even 3", and has a good neutral color that makes it summer dress friendly... or, if you are tall like my lady Zazu Pitts, you could wear it with some uber-cute colorful cropped pants. Plus, the organic look of the wood-like stacked heel is incredibly big this year.

At Nordies it retails at $265.00.

3. Tory Burch "Reva" Patent Leather Espadrille Flat.
Pink ladies, rejoice! This cute pink patent leather flat with espadrille detail is available at your local Nordies! Patent is big again this warm-weather season and the roping of the espadrille is enough for you to look on-trend without looking like you walked off of an American-Indian reservation (there is nothing wrong with that, of course!!!). I, for one, love this Hibiscus Pink color but I think there are a handful of other Fashion colors to fit whatever wardrobe one chooses!

At Nordies it retails for a mere $165.00!

4. Tory Burch "Dewie" Logo Pump.
For those ladies who work indoors for most of their summer, with a more Professional dress code, I have a fantastic Tory Burch shoe for you... this "Dewie" is sleek, cool, but shows that you have incredible taste. I love the dramatic contrast of the gold-on-black look, but I also like the chunk in this 3.75" heel as well. Trends this Spring is all about accessories, and this investment piece is a no-fail number. What I love the most about these shoes is the adorable patent-leather piping along the leather top of the shoe. It whirls around and that plus the gold logo medallion and the gold around the base of the heel, really gives a special shine to the shoe... it shows you aren't wearing a dull pair of ordinary stilettos!

At Nordies it retails for $335.00.

5. Tory Burch "Reva" Ballerina Flat.
You cannot go wrong with a classic. It is incredibly ironic to call something classic, when they have only been made since 2006, as an original 7-piece shoe line. However, all doubts go out the window when one puts on the comfortable rubber-soled shoe with the chic upper -- it is understandable as to why that makes it a prep/socialite/fashionista go-to piece. It really is a lovely shoe. The Tory Burch Reva shop really proves how far a good style can go: leopard print, black, medium brown, lime green, navy, mustard, equestrian orange, grass green, banana yellow, masaai red, metallic silver, distressed gold, hibiscus pink, sand, and mocassin...

At Nordies, retailing for $195.00.

Greys Anatomy last night

Anyone watch Greys Anatomy last night? It was SO intense!

I loved this episode. It was scary, it was happy, it was just in general, fabulous!!

This clip - big spoiler - was the best of all!!!

Hooray!

I have internet here at the new house! It is HughesNet and the dish we own...

IS HUGE. It is probably 3 times bigger than our DirecTV satellite dish but still smaller than what everyone had in the 1980s/1990s... very funny.

Back to the real world!!!


xo

Apparently I am Kreativ!

I was tagged by Park Avenue Princess for the Kreativ Blogger Award :)

The award rules are as follows:

List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love!
Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won.
You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sidebar letting the whole world know... you are Kreativ!

1. I love my Coach purse.

It is kind-of like this one – the Coach Zoe, but mine has a braided black leather handle… It really is wonderful as I can stick all I need in it and it looks incredibly nice with my suits and work stilettos – while easy to dress down for going out with PBF or with my ladies!! [picture source: Coach.com]



2. I love my Coca-Cola!

I am a huge fan of soda, regardless of the fact that it is incredibly bad for me and my heart, but I really monitor my sugar input daily just so I can enjoy this wonderful delicious syrup full of bad awful things!!! I think it all traces back to being in boarding school and the fact that in the basement of one of the dorms, they still had a glass-bottle Coca-Cola dispenser!!
[picture source: http://jyte.com/profile/wonko.com]



3. I love my Pearls!

[picture from: Finksjewelers.com]
I was the only girl throughout my boarding school years that didn't have pearls... I was the only one in my class (of the preppier girls at least) during graduation who it seemed like was without. I had my Tiffany and Co. Elsa Peretti jewelry but not my pearls - which I felt looked so much better with our white dresses we had to wear for Lantern Ceremony anyway. I had grown up with a gorgeous pearl bracelet - but I had outgrown it and never asked for a replacement. And I wanted a set – but because of the unanticipated expense of my education (asking to get out of my hellish public school and be in boarding school like my brother - an unplanned expense for me), I never EVER asked for a set, so I wore my mother's own set that she entrusted to me. Well, when I graduated, on graduation day, right before the ceremony, she handed me a box from Finks. Inside, was my own set of 7.5 mm pearls! She and my Aunt had handpicked each pearl to be strung on my necklace – made with love from my Mom with my Aunt's blessing! (my Aunt used to work at a Finks store).
Here is a picture of my sister and me after the ceremony – she wore a gold silk shift in honor of my "team" (purple versus gold) at school. Fabulous!:




4. I love my hometown – Lex Vegas.
It is so beautiful and I loved the area I grew up in. I couldn't have done without a lot of the people there but I really had a wonderful, blessed childhood with all of the comforts a parent would love to provide. We had a big farm and I had lots of fun parties at the Country Club or at home. Most of my family lived nearby and my Mom was really strong when it came to the significance of God being in our lives. Here are some favorite images of home:

The Farm where I grew up:


View from my parents' new house (which they built in 2000):


Main Street at Christmas time, with my church all decorated:



5. I love my Golden Retriever, Lovely Lady of Lexington.
She is too cute for words!!




6. I love... The Greenbrier!
The Greenbrier is a bittersweet place to mention as it recently filed for Chapter 11. I have spent a week there every other year for the past SEVERAL years. I cannot remember how many times [This isn't including the day trips that we did when I was small for Easter, etc, when we opted out of going to The Homestead]. Here are some pictures from those amazing trips...
My cousin goofing off in the pink (because of Thanksgiving/Christmas – AND GREEN!!) ballroom:


My cousin and I always share a room. This was our Deluxe corner suite we had on a holiday visit. I LOVE TULIPS!!! (many apologies for the un-made bed):


Some of the family gathered for tea in one of the library rooms off of the Main Lobby level...:


Yes, those of you who have been to the Greenbrier know this is one of the "ladies lounges" – I LOVE this room:

It screams sultry boudoir to me – the vintage Vogue covers, the royal purple velveteen chairs with black tassels, the brushed pink wallpaper and the crystal chandeliers. LOVE IT TO PIECES. I would often grab a flute of champagne and "hang out" in here just to get away from the crowds during post-dinner music receptions, etc.

I'm going to miss this place for a lot of reasons - not be be rude - but I can only imagine how messed up the place will be if it gets bought out by some big hotel conglomerate chain company, which means less pay for the deserving workers in the unions at The Greenbrier, and lower-quality goods, etc.


7. I love lingerie! Now, to those who don't know me well, that seems weird. Lingerie? Why not just fashion? Well, I used to sell lingerie on my year off from school (thank you Nordstrom), and then kept with it when I went back to school – Belk, far less glamorous clientele, but still fun! So I have TONS OF LINGERIE. I hope I can go back to working in lingerie again soon.

From Julianna Rae, the Butterfield silk cami and tap pant set:



From Bergdorf Goodman, the raspberry Florentine Gown & Robe, Long (retails at $410.00):



And what boudoir would be complete without a crystal chandelier (thank you Greenbrier!):

   
And a gorgeous chaise lounge (thank you Ethan Allen!) the Monaco Left-Facing Chaise:

 

I tag:

Zazu Pitts: http://brillionaire.blogspot.com/

Kiss On My List: http://kissonmylist.blogspot.com/

Al.Ex: http://alexploresla.blogspot.com/

Lulu: http://nixonsleeves.blogspot.com/

Randall @: http://happyforthismoment.blogspot.com/

FB: http://fabulouslybrokeinthecity.blogspot.com/

Katie: http://asoutherngirlinthecity.blogspot.com/

Stupid AIG

I used to love these ads... BOOOOOO




(Thank you Gawker: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gawker/full/~3/iziYUXWYFmA/drink-your-bitters-aigs-ads-from-the-good-old-days)

Google Reader

Wow, so... my blog roll is really stacking up here. This reason is why I hate no having the internet!! I am about 400 entries behind total! GRACIOUS (including Jossip, Gawker, Pink Is the New Blog... and my "normal" people blog entries). But still... JEEZ!

Thankfully, HughesNet should be done by this time tomorrow... fingers crossed!

Closing

Our house closing is in less than 12 hours!! OMG!! SO EXCITING~!

Happy happy happy!

Weird...

You could hear crickets there has been so little activity on the blogging front today!

I am going to assume that everyone is enjoying the gorgeous weather we have here in Virginia, mid-60s, bright sun, and very little wind! Perfect day for a picnic, but PBF is ferrying to our new house and I am inside studying and trying to get work done before our phone and internet is cut off tomorrow!

Moving & Packing

I cannot start packing. This is driving me nuts. To procrastinate, I am watching this The Office episode from this week:

Pam: "I can tell Michael's mood by which comedy routine he chooses to do. The more infantile, the more upset he is. And he just skipped the Ace Ventura talking butt thing. He never skips it. This is bad. "



I am not working at all this week.

I have a BIG THING (unrelated to house stuff) on Wednesday at noon. Please pray for me. It is something I have been wanting for a while...

I swear when this episode is done I am going to start seriously packing. Starting with the guest bedroom which is basically my closet in this little townhouse...

Closing is on Monday at 11:00am at our attorney's office... Woohooo!

And... more funny office stuff:
The Office, different parts where people are singing:


Squeaky Chair versus Jim singing FLAT:

Moving

I find this clip to be incredibly moving...




Just so sad...

Bloggers Help Needed!

Hey all, so, PBF and I are moving starting next week. Very exciting!!

I am currently working on finding a cute, classic, and slightly preppy (not overly so to scare PBF) Moving Announcements for us!!


Pineapple, by Boatman Geller (from FineStationary.com)



Key, by Boatman Geller (from FineStationary.com)

These are two which I like - tell me - do you have any suggestions or are any of these favorites of yours?

I also loved this "We Moved card" by Kate Spade - but so so so expensive as we are planning on sending out a couple hundred of these babies!!



xo
Worthy

If You Seek Amy video

Britney really is coming back, I think! Here is the new Britney Spears video for "If You Seek Amy" !!!



(Property of Jive/Zomba records and Britney Spears)

xoxo

Hopsy!

My dear Hopsy was on the Martha Stewart Show. Now, I don't mean just as she had previously stated, i.e. getting a ticket on the show, I mean she was interviewed!!! And had a front row seat!! GAHHHHHHH It's every girls dream!! [and hosting the Meet and Greet at the Lilly Pulitzer Madison Avenue Townhouse]

Blair Waldorf

OMG!! Blair Waldorf's wardrobe is now on BlueFly.com !!! I am so excited!

Actually, it has likely been up for months but I just noticed this?]

Check it out: http://www.bluefly.com/Blair/_/N-axje/list.fly

I am totes drooling...

Tocca maroon floral 'Janet' smocked blouse
Retails at $250. On sale at BF for $112.99



Alice & Olivia silk chiffon dress
The color! The gathering! the asymmetrics. LOVES it.
Retails at $422. On sale at BF for $253!



MICHAEL by Michael Kors houndstooth coat
Don't you love houndstooth? I also love belted coats - they really can emphasize an hourglass figure! (like moi)
Retails at $350. On sale at BF for $157.99.



Yoana Baraschi cobalt silk blouse! Just plain gorgeous...
Retails at $284. On sale at BF for $119.99.



Nanette Lepore 'Precocious' pumps... I love the tassels on the toe!! I simply ADORE these shoes. As I work with lawyers all day, these would be fun to have when I am wearing one of my suits... It comes in four colors, but I think the color pictured - mahogany/chocolate - is the most rich... yum!!
Retails at $360. On sale at BF for $193.99.

Fair

I know there's no hope in holding up this weight.
It just won't float.
Man, I tried, but the tide.
It knows no sides.
If that's what's not fair, then what could be wrong with my life?
[If that's what's not fair, then what could be wrong with my life?]

Maybe she needs love to put the bottle down.
Maybe she needs me to be around.

The pain in her stare is drawing me shapes -oh, so fair.
The pain in her stare is making me wish I was there...
With something to declare.

We'll it's quite possible I won't make it out alive.
Because I'm quite sure that I could die.
Because what's best is what's left
When nothing is left but
The sound of the rain on your head,
A woman asleep in your bed.
Dreaming in my bed.

Something's got to happen.
Now.
-The Annuals

Song Title: "Fair"

Law School for me?

From the blog, Barely Legal: The Blog - the entry titled "People You Meet In Law School". This entry was written by Russ.

Lots of people in law school like to argue, take charge, and think less of others. While these qualities may seem, on the surface, masculine, they are in fact found in abundance among women in law school. These law students are the Lucys, who much like their Peanuts inspired namesake, are the alpha females of law school.

Lucy realized a long time ago that being cutesy, prissy, or precious like other women was just beating around the bush. Don’t get me wrong, Lucy isn’t masculine (that’s Patty and Marci’s department) she just has no patience for the dizzy blonde Sallys of the world who pine over “sweet baboos.” When Lucy wants something, she asks for it. She doesn’t pout, she complains. She doesn’t hope, she achieves.

Lucy’s self-confident, cool-under-pressure attitude led lots of people to tell her “you should be an actress” or, if she wasn’t that attractive, “you should be a lawyer.”

And many Lucys do go to law school. They approach it with the same attitude they approach everything, with gusto. In Lucy’s opinion, unfairness exists in the world perpetuated by “blockheads” and no “security blanket” is going to help. Lucy is ready to argue for what’s right, in class and out.

Lucy actually enjoys the Socratic method. The process of leading someone down a logical path only to undermine their argument with a final “Yes. But what if…” is the graduate school equivalent of pulling a football out from someone right before they kick it.

For all Lucy’s gumption, romance sometimes eludes her. Men often can be turned off by a strong woman. Men often prefer women in an impersonal, idealized form, like the little red headed girl. After all, who wants their head bitten off every time they ask a question or to be charged 5 cents for advice.

Lucy probably doesn’t want her relationships to be the debating society her life is, so don’t be surprised if you see her with a more quiet, soulful, and artistic Schroeder type.

We don’t need any further evidence that we live in a sexist society other than the fact that Lucy is considered an exception based on her gender. If she’s on your side, you’re likely to say “she’s a real firecracker” or “she’s all business”. and if she’s against you you’re, liable to think (if not say), "she’s a bitch."


I think I may be a Lucy! HAHA!

Boarding School

Photo owned by: Lisa Richmond

In this rough financial climate, everyone is certainly on their toes. However, this AM when I opened up my New York Times, I didn't necessarily plan on reading this article, which really tugged at my heart-strings and to be honest, made me quite upset!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/business/07conserve.html

The Conserve School basically just opened in 2002, and already has an endowment of 181 million dollars.

It was a non-profit started when the CEO of a Chicago steel company died, whole established a trust for 70% students to recieve financial aid, run the school, donated 1,200 acres for the school to be on (and I thought the almost 400 acres my boarding school had was a lot), and to maintain the school with a majority stake (59%) in this said Chicago steel company.

Unfortunately, the school earlier this semester, called the student body together to let students know at the end of this semester, the school will be no longer a boarding school 4-year program and will instead become a semester-long study program.

What? Excuse me?

I know.

Apparently, and I can only understand the financial gibberish in this article because I am on the Annual Fund for a couple of different non-profits (including my own alma mater), they didn't sell off 5% of their assets every year, and if not selling it, diversifying them. Basically, their portfolio wasn't adjusted to work with the climate of the market.

Ironically enough, the people who run the school? Trustees. Kind-of like the situation of The Greenbrier with CSX Railroad being it's owners. The Trustees of the school are board members at this Chicago Steel Company. So it's a situation of greed and nonchalance. And that upsets me.

I immediately emailed my boarding school Annual Fund coordinator to let her know how this article made me feel, and that I would love to do anything extra that I could to help my boarding school in this financial climate... if they needed my help outside of my regular donations. I have yet to hear from her, but I feel like it wouldn't hurt. At least I could then figure out how to do more letters to my classmates before June 30...

CNBC sucks. Sorry, but True

I did not decide to post this after watching the Daily Show. I decided to post this after watching almost all of these interviews from CNBC when the originally aired, and then Jon Stewart putting them all together in a factual way just reminded me of why I am so angry at so many executives right now. A lot of college-educated, genuinely good people, good Christian people in general (or all religions for that matter), with families and plans and homes and livelihoods, have lost their jobs because of arrogances in the 1-5% of the executive population... and I am so saddened by that, everyday. Obviously, a lot of praying helps, but so does some comic relief, too.

My First for-the-New-House Purchase

I am so excited!

It is Lilly Pulitzer [duh!!]!

It is colorful and fun and happy!

It is in one of my favorite patterns, Stowaway Green!

The flowers! The Pink! The Green!!

I have bought this fun guest book for my house!

It is my first purchase for the new house!

I am obviously excited as I am using lots of exclamation points!!!!

Source: http://www.lillypulitzer.com/Accessories+Gifts/Guest-Book/invt/e1097&bklist=invt,5,colone,,stationery,statgifts

Darling Hopsy!! and Taking Any Questions You Have!

Oh, this reason is exactly why I love to blog!! Wonderful, generous and all-around perfect Hopsy at Kappa Prep has so much in common with so many of us Conservative preps out there! I almost died when I read this entry, in which she said:

Belle-Pink Cupcake asked what my dream car is.
"Gosh, this can sort o of change from week to week. It also depends on what stage of life I am in. I mean I love my little Volvo right now, but am debating on upgrading to a smaller Mercedes or the Volvo SUV in a few years. I love the way both type of car drives, so smooth and and easy! However, it will all depend on where I am in life. If I can see myself closer to starting a family I might lean towards the Volvo SUV, but if I am still a happy single girl the Mercedes is the way to go. Then, after having a few little ones I would LOVE a navy Range Rover or Mercedes station wagon (so very mommy!)."



And I couldn't agree more with her choices! Smart, efficient, etc. As I told PBF the other day, I am ALL over the Navy Range Rover for an active family car. "If the Duke of Edinburgh can be an environmentalist and drive one, so can I !!!"


I am so totes inspired! I know she is followed by a GAZILLION more people than I am, but I am flailing about for inspiration of posts to write. Fashion Week has come and gone, and I am busy with school, as usual, and hope to catch up next week during our Spring Break. However, I would LOVE to answer any questions anyone has for me - I think it would be fun. I am no longer concerned with anonymity at this point, as clearly some people who read this know me...


Do you have any questions you have always wanted to ask me?

Questions, Comments

Well, I haven't posted in a while, but that is only because my computer has been on the fritz! I have been having to attempt comments on my Followers blogs on my iTouch, which isn't easy but worth it! I am still here in the blogger world!!

In other news, we got 7.5" of snow here between Sunday and today! Wow!! Most snow we have had in AGES. Goodness gracious. PBF, who has been a VA resident since 2003, didn't even believe that this much snow was possible in Virginia. HA! We sure showed (snowed?) him, huh?

: )