The Latest Mad Men Episode

Any thoughts on the most recent episode?  

I've got an opinion and want to hear yours...

The Wedding

The weekend wedding was just lovely. I was surprised at how much I liked the intimacy of it all.  I wish I could describe to you just how sweet it really was.  The fact that it was so small allowed people the freedom to give numerous heart-felt toast at the luncheon reception.  I think there may have been a total of 65 people in attendance.  

My recommendation for all of you singles out there:  Go small for the wedding AND reception.  A few weeks later you can have a BIG PARTY.  

I think it just a shame that people focus so much on the WEDDING and not the MARRIAGE.  If people only thought about the marriage half as much as they do the color of the bridesmaids dresses and the punch--there might be happier couples all around!  (Don't get me wrong, I love all the fluff--the china, the silver, the flowers--but marriage is something you just don't mess around with.)

Cheers to all of you celebrating marital bliss.  Our friend Europafox just had an anniversary as did The Rauths.  Love is patient.  Love is kind...

A Wedding Weekend

This weekend we have a wonderful family wedding to attend.  I hope their marriage will be all the happy couple wishes!  It will be small and delightfully Southern!  (Photograph from the www.swsmag.net)

I know that some of you are rather interested in weddings--and Southern one's in particular.  If you'd like, here's a link to a website highlighting absolutely beautiful weddings www.swsmag.net

The photography and creativity is amazing! Enjoy!

Taking Care of Yourself

Since I will be eating to my stomach's content on my trip to Blackberry Farm, I started thinking of my overall health.  This trip will be quite active--the horses, the tennis, the bike rides, etc.  At the same time, we will be sedentary as well--talking, talking, talking, sun rises, sun sets, star gazing, bond fires.  All this to say, we need to be aware of our health.  God only gave us one body, and we need to take care of it.  

For about a year now, I have tried to minimize my intake of high fructose corn syrup--which is in about everything you can imagine!  In addition to the "hfcs", I am trying to avoid any enriched flour.  I can't say I've given up sugar.  You know you need that for our Southern sweet tea and my coffee!

You may have heard of the book YOU:  THE OWNER'S MANUAL.  Well, the two main doctors are the authors of the book as well as primary contributors to the website www.realage.com.  It's a fun, informative website if you haven't ever visited, check it out.  

A Wonderful Adventure Ahead

A "staycation", give me a break.

I'll have the real thing!

I will be having a little rest and relaxation at Blackberry Farm in the near future.  I am really looking forward to it.  Several of my dear girlfriends and I will be riding, fly fishing, the spa, and then seriously dining!  We are all so excited.  I'll take all of you "blog buddies" in spirit. Hopefully I can get some good photographs to share upon my return.  For the time being, you can all help me anticipate the big fun! 

Everything I have heard is that most everything is perfect at this resort.  Have any of you been and if so, what do you think?  Let me know your pros and cons.  Leave me a comment or email.

Tags aren't just for packages!

I've been tagged by  The Rauths 
I'm supposed to tell you 6 random things about me.  

Here are the "rules."

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these six rules on your blog.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

Well, let's see:

1.  I can write backwards with my non-dominate hand.  Freaky, I know.  I must be borderline ambidextrous or something.  

2.  I canceled my cable.  I am now the biggest fan of APPLE TV.  If you haven't looked into it, DO.  You'll save money, have no commercials, and watch only what you want to watch.  For example, I saw the first episode of the new season of MAD MEN--and now have it on my Apple TV--and can watch Don and Betty Draper again and again!  

3.  I have a very old chocolate labrador.  Seeing my dog decline in his old age is much more depressing than I ever thought it would be.   Dogs are such a constant in our lives.  In this case 12 years and counting. 

4.  I'm addicted to coffee in the morning and sweet tea in the afternoon.  I just can't get through my day with out them--and believe it or not, the tea is always decaffeinated.  I'm a purist too--no artificial sweeteners will do.  I need sugar!

5.  Unlike Mrs. Rauth, I hate to do the dishes.  I can't stand the thoughts of touching dirty dishes.  I ALWAYS wear gloves when I HAVE to do them.  I sometimes go to the extreme of not cooking, just to avoid the clean up.  Plus, who wants to mess up that beautiful, clean kitchen

6.  I'm a bit obsessive about china (yet, I still don't like to wash it!).  I have numerous sets that I change out seasonally or with the theme of a party, etc.  I've gone a bit over the top and really need to edit.  

Now for the six that I am going to tag:

1.  Troy at Good Home, it's like we are old friends--and he's an amazing Southern writer!

2.  Copy Cat Chic, oh, so fun.  I wish I could shop and compare like this one can.

3.  Style Court, love it!  That's all there is to say.

4.  Monograms and Manicures, who doesn't just love this one?

5.  Southern Inspirations, a gal after my own Southern design heart!

6.  The Inspired Room, yes, I am SO inspired.  

A Few of My Favorite Things

                                                                     A classic scarf
So, what are a few of your favorite things?  Please leave a comment and tell me your three favorite fashion items.  (We'll talk about interiors in another post.)

What better way to get the ball rolling than for me to start out by showing you some of my fashion faves:

                                                                             pearls

                                                                                             THE handbag