Preppy Finds

I've discovered a lovely blogger at The Preppy Pink Whale and I must share her site with all of you. (Although many of you may already know about her, therefore I am appearing as if I'm totally behind the times.) Anyhoo, this is a great spot to find the latest collection of preppy finds. I'm loving the knotted earrings from Fitz and Frannie. Good price and super-cute...how can you go wrong? She also recently featured the ever-so-fabulous needlepoint flip flops from Tucker Blair. If you want to splurge a little on your summer flips, these are the ones to check out.

And, as we head into this Memorial Day weekend, let's give a huge thanks and God-bless to all of the men and women who have served, and given their lives, for the Red, White and Blue. I can't express enough gratitude for all they have done for us.

So, kids, enjoy your picnics, family get-togethers, pool parties and other activities this weekend. Talk to you on Monday!
Image courtesy of Fitz and Frannie

The Twitter Train

Did anyone catch the article in today's New York Times Style section about Twitter and the emerging role of Social Media specialists? More and more companies are turning to Twitter as a marketing tool to get their brand out to the masses and engage younger customers.

The first woman they profile works at a vineyard in Sonoma County as a "lifestyle correspondant," is paid $10,000 a month, lives in company-paid housing and blogs about wine. While the job is only for a 6-month stint, it's a pretty sweet set-up for temporary work.

So, I'm curious, how many of you are on Twitter? While I do have a Facebook page, I've yet to open a Twitter account. Although, next week I plan to attend a social media webinar, so perhaps after that, I'll be catching the Twitter train myself. Please share - would love to hear if you Twitter, or Tweet, or whatever the lingo is.

Happy Thursday, y'all - the holiday weekend is almost here!
Image courtesy of The New York Times

Southern Architecture

I love older homes with architectural character, especially those with southern roots. Whether it’s a painted-brick and black-shuttered house in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood, an antebellum manse in Natchez or a low-country tin-roof cottage in Savannah, these houses just call to me. There’s nothing more appealing than the thought of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of one of these houses with a cool drink in your hand. Heaven, simply heaven.

So, for anyone who shares my love of southern dwellings, I recommend a couple of books.

In Kentucky, a well-known, Louisville-born architect named Stratton Hammon made a name for himself designing architectural jewels across the Commonwealth. From cottages to grand dames, these homes are pieces of art. Many are scattered about Louisville, in some of the older, tree-lined neighborhoods, such as Seneca Gardens, the Upland/Top Hill Road area and Cherokee Gardens. A book about his work, Kentucky Homes of Stratton Hammon, was published last year and features the amazing work he created during his time (he died in 1997).

A contemporary of Hammon’s whom I greatly admire is Timothy Winters. I’ve always said that if I win the lottery, Mr. Winters will design my home. He has a wonderful knack for capturing the beauty and character of older Louisville homes in a newly built design. He’s very much of the “new-old-house” school of thought.

If you love the residential architecture of Louisiana, check out The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town. Town, considered by many as the “premiere architect of the South,” died in 2005 at the age of 101. His designs are said to have inspired many southern architects over the years, leaving quite a legacy. His work, and the aforementioned book, are featured in the latest issue of Southern Living.

I am by no means an expert on architecture; I just love to pour over architectural and design books and dream. So, I would love to hear from readers on the types of architecture where you live, notable designers, etc.
Images courtesy of Butler Books and Amazon.

My future home?

Have you entered the Southern Living dream home giveaway? There are four houses from which to choose and I love the Sugarberry Cottage in Beaufort, South Carolina. I think that's where I am meant to be.

So, if I win, dear readers, I'll invite y'all down for a low country crawfish boil and some cold Dixie beer on the front porch. How does that sound?

Pretty in Plaid

So, I drank the literary Kool-Aid and purchased Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster. It seems that every other blog I read these days is featuring this book, so I ran out to Barnes & Noble the other evening to see what all the buzz was about.

I assumed this would be another chick-lit novel about the life of a preppy girl, just trying to make her way in the world. While the fare is somewhat light, Jen's biting commentary and acerbic wit makes this a fun read. It's a memoir dating from the 1970s (when Jen was about eight) to the present, with much commentary focused on fashion. For those of us who recall the many fashion dos and don'ts of 70s, 80s and 90s, along with music and pop culture references, I think you'll find this a delightful piece of escapism.

Jen Lancaster also has an amusing blog, jennsylvania, that's worth checking out.
Image courtesy of amazon.com

Budget-friendly decor

I saw this budget-friendly design idea from Southern Living and thought it was so cute. Use a new metal trash can, a plywood topper and cover with fabric to create a stylish bedside table. You can also use the can itself to store sweaters or other clothing items during the off-season. How cool is that?

By the way, did anyone watch the season finale of "The Office?" The news about Jim and Pam was fabulous - loved that scene at the hospital. I'm sure Michael will have plenty of lame jokes about Pam's "baby daddy" next season. Happy Friday everyone!

Let the Countdown Begin

Three weeks from this Friday, the fam and I will be leaving on a jet plane and heading to the Outer Banks. How excited am I? Hubby and I desparately need to get away and enjoy some "slow living." No agenda, no set plans; just getting up, eating breakfast, heading out to the beach, eating lunch, napping, more beach, cocktails, more eating, sleeping and the list goes on.

Ah, I can hear the ocean now...

So, dear readers, what are your plans for the summer? Any special getaways on the horizon?