Express, what are you thinking?

So, a couple of weeks ago, my BFF Zazu Pitts and I went to Short Pump mall to check out Fall fashions in the RIC.



Well, I was not planning on walking into a Lindsay-Lohan-esque nightmare of a fashion disaster at Express!



Gracious, are there any words to express how bad this stuff is?




Google Peggy Bundy from Married with Children, perhaps.

I am as bad as Libby... update soon

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. List 15 books you've read that will always stick with you. They should be the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what books my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your Profile page, paste rules in a new Note, cast your 15 picks, and tag people in the Note, upper right-hand side.)

1. Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith
2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. Atonement by Ian McEwan
5. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
6. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
7. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
8. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood books by Rebecca Wells
9. Dress Your Family and Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
10. Earth Odyssey: Around the World In Search of Our Environmental Future by Mark Hertsgaard
11. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
12. The inextinguishable Symphony by Goldsmith **AMAZING**!
13. Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman
14. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
15. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

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.

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/

He's Just Not That Into You

One of my BFF's - Zazu Pitts, and I saw He's Just Not that Into You this weekend. We went to a less-popular theater and got great seats and I had so much fun seeing a chick flick.

Of course, since I was seeing it with her, and we both are as bad as Whitney Port (of The Hills) when it comes to facial expressions - we had to make many and express shock over some scenes. I never read the book (as I have been unlucky in love but haven't had issues with anyone in a long-long term relationship) - and have always chocked up experiences as just that, experience. I am not a 30-something like the women all in this movie are (well, upper 20s with Gennifer Goodwin, of course).

All in all, I loved the movie. There were parts where it kind-of dragged, and I felt like the "interviews" between "chapters" was a bit cliche, then again this was written by a former member of the original SATC crew. BUT, acting was good, lines were funny, guys were occasionally a-holes, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

So Sad/Thoughts on Breakups

I am still stunned and in shock that one of my favorite blog ladies, Puttin on the G.R.I.T.S. is going through a hard time. Now, I know there are people out there with issues with babies and things like that, but when you are young like we are and just carrying on with a job and getting used to being in a genuine relationship, when one of those things goes away your life's balance goes kaput! I am sending her all the GRITS love I can muster!!!

This is what I told her today:

Oh sug, this breaks my heart! I will tell you, I am SO UNDERSTANDING. I have been through this situation myself - but I am more shocked by your situation than my own. I really don't know what to say, but to just open up your heart and probe it with your thoughts. Maybe you will someday understand this experience if you two do not recover. Then again, maybe you WILL recover. Because you are a beautiful young woman who gave a lot of time and heart to this man who meant everything to you. I can only wish you good and positive thoughts.

I have been through what she is dealing with. It blows my mind, honestly, to think of my life before Michael. While he asked me out a year ago this week to go on our first date, our flirtations had been going on since back around Christmas of 2007. I cannot even begin to think how amazing Michael is, and how much I love him, especially in contrast to A--- before, who I was pretty much settled on, and how I thought I knew what love was in a full way with him. And then things ended ugly there and Michael just took me away into a whole other WORLD of love.

So, I guess in some ways you could say my Ex was my First Love---- but I don't... because even though time was spent, words were exchanged, and love was shared... I don't think about him. In anyway. Good or Bad. At all. I think this entry would be my first in a love while where I am even thinking about him at length other than fleeting thoughts here and there.

There are other guys out there, who I think could fit into "First Love" category - but not A---. I think because it ended so ugly and shockingly and suddenly. We had the long-term, long-distance relationship... but it started off on a seeing each other after work, regular basis kind of thing. It wasn't until I went back to school and moved back to VA that my priorities shifted, and his driving 2 hours to see me 2 weekends a month, him telling me he wanted me to change him, his sad attempt at sweeping me off my feet but coming off more like a stalker, and his even more sad attempt at proposing to me, in utter desperation... are just like something that didn't even really happen. I wouldn't say like a dream... or a nightmare... because even those have memories. And my life has been so full of Michael that the thoughts of A--- are almost nonexistent. He tried, A--- really did, I think, but I just don't believe his heart was in it like he thought. And even though he ASKED me to "change" him, and I tried, the end result was a mess and I should've known better. Instead of just accepting him as he was... I should've known better.

I know that sounds insensitive, but I really mean it in an honest and true way. It really was for the best. A--- literally made me sick when we broke up. I went off the deep end in my attempt to cope with it - I had a fun girls night out the weekend after with people I hadn't seen in ages, drinking at a bar and just singing some Bon Jovi and loving the Baltimore party scene in Federal Hill... and I went to a wedding with a guy friend who will always be That Guy to me - I know we all have one - he is like our Mr. Big in every way (great job, the quintessential gentleman, could take care of us as long as it wasn't something gross, etc) except he could NEVER date us unless he still hadn't found someone by the age of 40 and even then he may hesitate to make it a solid relationship. But I had the ugly too. The not eating enough, the not being a Southern lady and over doing the booze ---- Thanksgiving, 2007 was a disaster on a familial level and then the whole break up happening not long before that REALLY pushed it over the deep end... and those things came at a time when I knew it was over, I was reeling from the sequence of events that occurred, and I flailed about like a fish out of water. I did a lot of uncharacteristic things to really help myself out mentally - the "it isn't really over, IS IT?" denial, the driving 3 hours out of my way just to see him for "one more night", the whole capacity of it [my desperation] really makes me shake my head now. I think my whole thing was, "I am so fantastic, who is stupid enough to screw things up with me? I will give him another opportunity to fix this crap!!" When I should have just moved on.

Which I did.

After a lot of prodding and poking.

I.E.| Everyone in my entire office BUILDING wanted me to go on a date with Michael and move on and take out the trash on my history of A---, and so I finally flirted with him, to let him know I was interested, we talked for a month or so, and he asked me out the first week of February in 2008. And now, we are living together, as we have been since this past summer. My family loves him. My uber-Deep South-traditional Grandmama and Grandpapa like him (enough to take us all out to dinner, which they never did in the 2 years I was with A---! Booyah!!). And now, he is buying me a house to make into a home with him. Plus, we are going to the Banks for Valentine's Day/Federal Holiday weekend, Sanderling here we come!! How can I not love this man? He is everything!! It is such a life-changer. So much has changed in just over a calendar year.

My whole point on my post is this theory: you can think you are done and everything is... "perfect"... but then you can REALLY have things done in a fashion where things are falling into place the way your mind has always thought they should have gone and REALLY be pretty much perfect and that is probably the end result you want.

I had another GF who lost a BF not too long ago either. But in that situation, and she knows this info from me first hand, I always felt like she was just lowering herself to him. He was in this totally different world from her and I felt like she just kept growing and maturing and he was staying, well, in the same place as he had when we were Freshmen in college. Obviously, they could eventually get back together if she believes that is what would ultimately make her happy. But she has so much going on in her life, and so many opportunities falling into her lap, that I am so excited she doesn't have the weight of someone else to worry about when she gets offers to travel the WORLD (literally) for more education in her future line of work! How can a fabulous female say no to that?!?!

So, I guess it depends on who you are with, what kind of life you want, and who you are now, and plan to be, in the future.

They know I love them both and only wish them the best!!!

Ellen and the Hawaiian chair

My BFF Libby just put this hysterical link on her blog. I had an awful day and I really needed the laugh this funny clip from Ellen provided. I will do an update soon, I've just had a lot of stuff going on personally... : (

Hands Down

Hands down, this was the best part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...

[Thank you, Lib, for telling me the term is "Rick rolled"...!]

Oh yay!

My Christmas present for one of my bffs came in the mail today! So glad I didn't accidentally blog about it! Woot!

Pretty things...

UPDATE: My favorite rings are the 1st one and the last (4th) one. Both look incredible on. the other two are less-expensive, but very pretty as well. Mike would make me a happy woman with any of these --- he is just such a perfect guy, and a gentleman!! Plus, he makes me feel safer than I've ever felt. Which is the kind of guy I need to settle down with...


Tried on so many rings yesterday with Libby at Finks that I got a blister on the knuckle of THAT finger. I am definitely a size 7, wish more rings came in that size and not a flipping 6!!!

Regardless, it was good to start fresh and really be looking at rings. After Adam and I broke things off last year I wasn't really sure that looking at rings would be that fun, but this was way better. Plus, having a best friend around doesn't hurt, either!

I'll tell you what each of these rings are, but not the price, as a lady doesn't discuss prices of her finest jewelry...


This one is my favorite. This ring is the Ashoka-cut Anastasia ring, with pave diamonds:





This is the Ashoka trilogy ring:




This is from the Endless Love collection by Ritani. It is an Aschler-cut diamond ring:






This is a lovely Finks custom-made, pre-made Cushion-cut double-band ring. They can tweak these if you want, but I think the pre-made is just as beautiful:

Sex and the City movie

I cannot wait for the Sex and the City movie. My best friend Libby and I were talking about how we cannot wait to see it, and that both of our significant others had alerady stated "you have fun seeing that without me". We are planning a Sex and the City ladies night out. I am planning pre-dinner cocktails and then going to whichever theater we purchased advance tickets at. It's going to be a good time. And ENOUGH with the Mr. Big dies rumors. I have already gotten word from a friend within the NYC filming location people for New Line that Big does NOT die because that would've pissed everybody off. But he did say, much to my chagrin, that some bad behavior of some most-loved characters could really screw things up IMHO. There were SOOO many fake scenes/dream sequences filmed alongside the real deals that no one can really know what is happening except for those in the movie. Going to be a BIG day.






Oh yeah! And I found shoes for the dress for the wedding. Plus, they were on sale at Macy's but I had seen them on Zappos...