I Get a Kick Out of kate

Why should little girls have all the fun? These color block stockings from kate spade add a vibrant punch of color to an ordinary outfit. It's like playing dress-up, but for grown-ups!
Image courtesy of katespade.com.

G&G - Thanks for Sticking It Out

I just received an e-mail from my favorite magazine, Garden & Gun. It was a letter from the president and publisher and I thought, "Here we go again, another one of my wonderful publications has bitten the dust.

Thankfully, that's not the case. G&G is, not folding, like other favorites Gourmet and Southern Accents. Although, due to cost cutting, there will not be an October/November issue. But, look for their holiday issue in late November if you're a subscriber (newstands early December). This magazine features some of the best writing in the business, exquisite photography and captures the flavor of the new South like no one else can.

While I'll miss my fall issue, I'm so glad you guys are sticking around.

Temptation - The Devil is a House

So, I'm on my way to taking the kids to preschool and then heading into work this morning. I stop at the Mommy Crackhouse (aka Starbuck's) and then as I'm passing one of my absolute favorite streets in town, I notice two small real estate signs pointing down the street. Now, I had just decided the night before that I needed to stop this silly pouting about my house and stay focused on the good in my life, on what I have, not what I want. Then, temptation hits again. So, what do I do? Turn around and head down that street.

I was familar with one of the houses - it's been for sale for a while and the asking price was recently dropped. It's a cute cottage, but a bit small for the price. And the other house? The clouds parted and angels began to sing (or maybe it was the devil dressed as an angel - he's been tempting me a lot lately). It's beautiful. Would be perfect for us. Very close to the kids' preschool and future kindergarten/grade school. And, of course, priced way out of our league. Sigh. Oh, well. A girl can dream.

Happy Thursday, everyone! The weekend will be here soon!

House Envy

Ugh, having a bad case of house envy lately. Ever get in a funk where you seem to notice every single flaw with your own house? Meanwhile, everyone else seems to be remodeling or buying a new house (okay, maybe not at the moment) or redecorating? I know, it could be so much worse. I should be grateful I have a home and it's not being reclaimed by the bank. Sorry, just looking for people to join me for cocktails and "whine" at my pity party. :)

I have been feeling this way for a couple of weeks. Then, we went trick-or-treating and I caught glimpses of my neighbors' houses and it made me wish I could redecorate. Granted, I only saw entry halls, but they were quite beautiful. ;) Then, last night, I attended a Junior League meeting at the home of a long-time member. The hostess is the wife of a local politician who currently holds a fairly important position with state government. And, he has his eyes set on higher aspirations in Washington. So, anyhoo, I travel out to their newly-built house in a very wealthy enclave and I couldn't believe it. I've been in big homes, but this place was amazing. The details, the furniture, the beautiful couple and their new baby. Yeah, it made me want to throw up in my purse.

I don't want to be a bitter person; I want to enjoy my home. It's just hard right now. So much to do, yet so much debt to pay off! I have to keep telling myself that our time will come. There's a plan. Now, if God would only whisper it in my ear...
Image courtesy of Southern Living House Plans

The 'Favorite Things' List

I've already eaten three Tootsie rolls this morning...must get rid of the extra candy now! The kids were adorable on Halloween and had a blast. Photos to follow soon – I promise!

On to a new topic...every year, Oprah features her “Favorite Things” episode leading up to the holiday season. It’s a huge deal for retailers because if their item is featured, it’s a boon for their business. And, it’s a huge deal for audience members because they get really cool free stuff. Oh, how I would love to get a ticket to the “Favorite Things” show!

So, I’ve been thinking of starting my own favorite things list, now that we’re heading into November and Christmas is eight weeks away. That’s right, kids, eight weeks away. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not skipping over Thanksgiving. I have plenty in store for that lovely holiday. But, there’s so much to prepare for with Christmas: so many goodies to make, gifts to buy, organizations to help. So, I’m going to feature a few items every few days that I think would make good gifts for this holiday season.

Gifts for the Foodie

For the person in your life who loves to cook or just loves to eat, drink and be merry, consider some of these gift options.

• Blackberry Farm Cookbook – I’m dying to go to Blackberry Farm, but since I can’t afford a trip to this Tennessee jewel right now, the cookbook is a nice substitute.
  
  
• Splendor in the Bluegrass Cookbook – Shameless plug for my local Junior League; I also recommend supporting your local JL or any charitable organization that is offering a great cookbook – you’re providing a gift and supporting a worthy cause.
  
  
• Personalized Artichoke Hemp Apron – Perfect cover-up when in the kitchen baking a soufflé, roasting a lamb or sipping a glass of wine waiting for the timer to go off. I am especially fond of the personalization on this particular apron. :)



• Outing to a local farmer’s market – If you like to cook, why not plan a special meal for the one you love made of items purchased from your local farmer’s market? In fact, make a date out of it. Enjoy perusing through the seasonal fruits, vegetables and meats (you may even pick up a new recipe while you’re there); talk to the farmers about what they grow and what they recommend; then pick up a bottle of vino at your favorite wine shop and head home to create your feast. A great date for a foodie!
  
  
• Wine – A good bottle of wine in a pretty gift bag is a great gift for a foodie who imbibes from time to time. I am not a wine connoisseur. But, I know what I like and I know to ask for help when I need it. Some people are intimidated when entering a wine shop, but I’ve learned to walk right up to the owner and state my business: “Small dinner for four, I’m making a chicken dish, what wine should I serve?” I walk away with a great bottle of wine, often times for a reasonable price (expensive isn’t always the way to go). What would I recommend? For fun, try Yard Dog from Redheads Wine Studio, an Australian wine I came across at Whole Foods last holiday season. The local paper featured it as a good wine for the price and then Whole Food’s wine shop couldn’t keep it in stock! The red and the white are both good. Plus, the label makes me laugh. No, my reviews are not going to make Wine Spectator Magazine. I won’t lose sleep over it.

Images courtesy of Redheads Wine Studio and Williams Sonoma.

Halloween Eve at the Races

Happy Halloween Eve everyone!

The kids are decked out in their Halloween gear this morning, celebrating the pagan holiday with trick-or-treating and a party at pre-school. My daughter is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, my son is a tiger. Too cute!

And where is mommy going today? Why, gambling, of course! My department is headed down to Lexington for a day at Keeneland Race Course. We have a suite, plenty to eat and drink (bread pudding – yum!) and bets to be made on the ponies. Plus, it’s homecoming weekend at the University of Kentucky, so today is “See Blue” day at Keeneland - I’m sporting my Kentucky-blue pashmina in honor of the event. Here's hoping I win a little money today. But, given that I often bet $2 to show, that's probably not going to happen. :)

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.
Image courtesy of keeneland.com.

Big Pearl, little pearl

I’m a big fan of pearls. First of all, the pearl is my birthstone. Second, they’re just a timeless, classic piece of jewelry. Hubby gave me a strand of pearls and matching earrings for our anniversary and I wear them all the time. To work, special events, even with a T-shirt while doing laundry. Love them.

Recently, I came across jewelry designer Meg Carter via the fabulous blog, Summer is Verb. Meg is based in Alexandria, Virginia and she features several pearl pieces. I found out she was offering a special during October – buy one piece of jewelry, get another valued at $65 or less free, in honor of her birthday month. So, I quickly logged onto her site and ordered from the “Towne, by Meg Carter Designs” collection. I loved the fact that she featured a quote by Audrey Hepburn on the page (You had me at Audrey). So, I indulged (I know, it’s a compulsive addiction that must be treated – I will be shredding at least one credit card this evening) and purchased a pair of the “Big Pearl, little pearl” studs and then requested the “Big Pearl, little green" studs as my freebie.

They arrived yesterday, but because I didn’t open the front door last evening, I didn’t realize they were there. So, this morning as I’m rushing around the house getting ready, I found them on my front step. Yea! What a happy surprise to start the day off right!

So, if you like pearls, or you know someone special who loves to wear these darlings-of-the-sea, stop by Meg’s site. She really does great work.

It’s Thursday, kids – we’re almost there!
Images from Meg Carter Designs