Pink, Green & Southern

Santa Baby...

2010-12-05T12:02:00.000-05:00

"Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
I don't mean a phone
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight..."

We re-did Miss Priss' pink tree this year with these fabulous diamond (the size of golf balls!) ornaments and zebra bow topper and we love it! I don't know if these pictures do them justice but they are just too cute!

After all, a girl can never have too many diamonds, right?!

My Favorite Things

2010-11-30T18:34:00.000-05:00

My sweet friend over at Home of a Magnolia has tagged me to play along with her version of Oprah's "My Favorite Things"--how fun! I love all of her items and had a ball coming up with my own list! I would think of one thing and this would lead to another that would lead to another...you catch my drift! There are just soooo many wonderful things out there.

So here is a sampling of some of my favorite things right now (and honey, if you are reading, I would be thrilled to see any of this items wrapped up under the tree!):

First, I must mention jewelry from Fornash

I just adore enamel jewelry and Fornash has the best, like these bracelets and this fun cocktail ring (which I may or may not have ordered for myself seeing as how it is on sale half-price)

And how wonderful would this stunning turtle bracelet look with all my Lilly?

And how drop-dead gorgeous is this necklace and earring set?

Fornash jewelry is where it's at, y'all!

Speaking of jewelry I pink puffy heart this monogrammed bangles from MPM Designs

The only problem is I don't know what color I want because I just love them all!!!

MPM Designs carries all kinds of totally adorable monogrammed items. A few more of my favs are these monogrammed ice chests

this monogrammed tissue box

and their monogrammed pajamas

It is better to give than to receive so when I am looking for fun gifts to give of the edible variety I often look to Janie's Cakes,

specialty pound cakes from Tyler, Texas

as well as DonateFruit.Com

Donatefruit.com is super cool because for every purchase made on their site they commit to match that purchase, pound for pound, with a donation of fresh fruit to a food bank to feed those in need.

Southern Proper Monograms sells the most amazing unfinshed wooden custom monograms that you can cusomtize by simply painting (or glittering!) them any color you wish. They would look great paired with a wreath on your front door or hanging over your bed!

(I am so doing this on my front door next Christmas!)

Or tie one onto a gift for a unique embellishment!

Another favorite of mine is this monogrammed Legado china from Skyros available at Bromberg's

To.die.for. Right?

Nothing is more heartfelt to me than a homemade gift. I just recently learned how to crochet and when I stumbled upon a free pattern for this ruffled scarf with a difficulty rating of Easy (that's what I'm talking about!)

I bought a whole bunch of wool and have been making them for anyone and everyone. And the best part is that it only takes a few hours to make one! If you crochet or have ever wanted to learn, this is the project for you!

I am also really liking fur vests right now. Granted this is a trendy item and not something I would wear every day, but I think I may need to get one to wear during the holidays. Check out this jazzy little number from Charlotte Russe

Wear it with some skinny jeans tugged into some fierce boots, a sequin tank also from Charlotte Russe

and some sparkly jewelry like this fun ring

and I think I have my uniform to wear to all the holiday open houses we have been invited to!

Lastly for pets I can't help but smile when I think about these adorable tutus for dogs and cats available at Gilt Groupe

I don't really dress up my dogs but if I did I think they would look di-vine in tutus, don't you?!

My Latest Endeavor

2010-10-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

I am not abandoning this blog but I am taking a little break to start focus on a new project--a brand new blog! It is called "Come Give Me Some Sugar!" (comegivemesomesugar.blogspot.com) and it will be a place where I share simply amazing party ideas, tips and inspiration! My blog will touch on everything from decor to crafts to favors. Please come visit me there often to see what fun and creative things I'm sharing! My hope is to also feature great parties thrown by others so if you have a party you would like featured, PLEASE email me at comegivemesomesugar@gmail.com--I would love to show off your event!

Fun Headbands for Fall

2010-09-12T06:10:00.001-04:00

The other day when I was at the Dollar Store I spied these cute "decorative accents" in the craft section. I

also picked up this "cameo" hair tie and paired with some rhinestones from the dollar section at Michael's

and some dollar store headbands

and in no time flat I created these cuties for the girls to wear this fall to school!

Not bad for a couple of dollars, huh?

They are already fighting over them!!!

20 Things Children Truly Need for School

2010-09-09T17:35:00.000-04:00

Our pediatrician's office sent us this and I thought it was too good not to share!

"20 Things Children Truly Need for School"

1. A No. 2 pencil and a willingness to erase.
2. A respect for themselves and others, especially their teachers.
3. An awareness that the world does not revolve around them, and that they alone are responsible for their actions.
4. Parents (or grandparents) who teach by example a love for reading, learning and life.
5. An assurance that school is a good, safe place, their teachers will like them, and their parents won't leave town without them.
6. An understanding that school is their "job" and no one else can or will do it for them.
7. A system for exchanging communication between school and home; a backpack for notes; an emergency phone number that always answers; a quiet place and time to do homework; a daily chance to read aloud and to be read to.
8. A plan for getting to and from school on time.
9. A pet to care for.
10. A public library card.
11. Someone to welcome them home, laugh at their jokes, answer their questions and listen to what they say and don't say.
12. The power of knowing how it feels to give anonymously and sacrificially to help someone less fortunate.
13. The encouragement to try new things, the freedom to fail and the chance to try again.
14. The gifts of being well- fed, well-rested, well-mannered and well-covered for medical, dental and after-school care.
15. The confidence to deal with bullies (stand up straight, look them in the eye, don't start a fight - but don't back down), how to ask questions (raise your hand and wait to be called on) and to never stop asking questions, especially "Why?"
16. To be the best, or at least pretty good, at something, and to know that it's OK not to be good at everything.
17. To spend more time with humans and less with machines.
18. To have nothing to do once in a while but daydream.
19. To have someone love them unconditionally, regardless of their grades; someone to "beam" at them, to light up when they walk into the room.
20. They need to know that school won't last forever, but learning is a lifelong process.

Super Duper Weenie

2010-09-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

The other night Mr. PG&S and I had some of his co-workers over for dinner. Since it was a fairly large group, too large for me to cook for anyway, we decided to have the meal catered. One of my dear friends told me that I could hire the Super Duper Weenie truck to come to my house and feed everyone. What a great idea, I thought! Food trucks are all the rage right now and my love for a good hot dog could quite possibly be classified as unnatural.

The truck came about a half hour before our guests and set up in our driveway. Our beagle, Lulu, would not leave it's side. It smelled SOME GOOD!

I didn't have to do anything but set up the bar. And that's not work. That's fun. Right, folks? Here is the flowers arrangement I threw together from the flowers in my yard. Nice (free) flowers + a sterling silver candle holder + some PBR and a weenie truck=CLASS--EE cuz that's just the way we roll!

More pics of the truck--

How cute is that Super Duper Weenie man?!

And here is a shot of the yummy menu. They have about a jillion toppings for the dogs and their fries are hand cut--some of the best fries on the planet I must say! And I have tasted a fry or two in my day.

I got the New Englander! Oh my it was delicious. Oh yes it was. So was Mr. PG&S' Dixie Dog and his Californian!

This is my friend Julie's dog

And these are on the children's chicken nuggets with chili fries!

And here is me happy that not only did I not have to cook but I also didn't have to clean up!

Now that's my kind of party! Super Duper Weenie man to the rescue!!!

Back to School Gifts

2010-09-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Pinkie starts kindergarten tomorrow and because her Momma has a bad case of Southern Girl disease and hates to show up to any get together empty handed we made some gifts for her classmates and her new teacher.

(All supplies are from the Dollar Store unless otherwise noted)

Gather mini tubes of play dough (8 per pack--get enough for two per person), some brightly colored curling ribbon, some apple die cuts and a 2" scalloped punch.

First, make gift stickers using Darby's tutorial and your computer

them print it out on sticker paper from the office supply store

Then punch out the deign with your scallop punch

Grab your apple die cut

Punch two holes in it with any ole hole punch and cut some of the curly ribbon

Put some hot glue on the top of a tube of play dough

And put another tube of play dough on top

Finally, put the sticker tag on your apple and tie the die cut around the double decker play dough tubes! VOILA, instant gift for your classmates!

Next, for the teacher, gather a small glass candle holder, a pack of colors, and some sunflowers ( I prefer real flowers but wanted the teacher to be able to keep this all year).

Just hot glue the colors to the candle holder in any order that is pleasing to your eye

Place the flowers inside

finish it off with a cute bow

and instantly become the teacher's pet!

What All the Preppy Dogs Are Wearing

2010-08-31T06:00:00.002-04:00

What do you think, should I get one for Lulu?!

Grocery Shopping in Cajun Country

2010-08-30T06:00:00.015-04:00

When I was home this summer visiting my parents in Louisiana my mother took me with her up to the corner to her little IGA to pick up a few things she needed for supper.

The minute I walked in the door I was fascinated. I mean really, the Stop & Shop here in Yankee Land? That place has nothing on Momma's store.

You are greeted at the door with a free cup of Community Coffee. How sweet is that? Nothing, and I do mean ab-so-frickin'-lutely NOTHING, is free where I live. That would just be nice and Yankees? They really don't do nice. Unless they want something in return. And most of the time not even then.

The food is very different in the South, to say the least. Take this huge display of pork rinds for instance

I do not believe a single soul in the entire state of CT has ever tasted a pork rind. Bless their heart.

No self-respecting Louisiana grocery store would be without a vast array of Cajun cooking accouterments such as fish fry and red beans and pickled okra

Also, cornbread mix. Lots of it. 5 whole shelves of it.

And that Community Coffee that greeted you at the door? Well, you can pick you up a family size bag big enough to last the Duggar's at least 6 months.

And sausage? They've got your sausage. I do believe the holy grail of sausage resides in this very store. When I came upon it, I didn't know whether I should cross my self or genuflect or just plain STUFF MY FACE.

You've also got your Cajun mixes for those lazy coon asses who can't/won't make jambalaya, crawfish pie (me oh my oh) from scratch after shrimping all day long and then coming home to hang their wash on the line. Shame on them.

There is even a mix for dessert too, cher!

My most favorite thing in the whole entire store was the gi-normous jar of Duke's maynaise (prounounced my-neez by all real Cajuns). Honey, you have not tasted maynaise until you have tasted Duke's maynaise. I seriously stood in front of this jar of maynaise for a good ten minutes trying to figure out how I could get at least 12 of these puppies in my carry on luggage before I decided that in this post 9-11 world that was just plain foolish. Darn those terrorists for dashing my dreams.

How awesome is this industrial size can of Blue Runner beans? Blue Runner Beans are THE best beans in the world, bar none. Serve some over rice and you are an official Cajun gourmet!

And of course every self-respecting chef needs a LSU chef's hat and matching apron

I just love this homage to the humble Lance snack cracker pack. If there is one thing Southerners enjoy, it is snack food. This particular store did snack food PROUD with it's FINE display of Lance's yummy goodness. I mean REALLY, have you ever seen so many packs of snack crackers in one place before?!

Check out this wine--Mad Housewife. Now that is something the North and the South have in common, I'd dare to say!

I bet your grocery store doesn't have this--

Don't even ask...

Apparently, LSU tiger fans do not eat just any beef patties--they eat LSU Beef Patties. The kind that "make you roar." That explains what was wrong with that guy I dated in college. And here I was thinking all this time that he just thought I was hot.

Frozen Boudin Balls? Oh, it's ON! On like Donkey Kong, my friend!

Next to the Boudin Balls in the freezer section were Chitterlings. No Chitterlings are NOT an urban myth; Southerners really do eat these things. And no, my mother was NOT picking these up for our dinner!

Every household in South Louisiana has at least 12 cans of this stuff:

Bengal Roach Spray is the only thing that will stop a ten inch flying roach dead in it's tracks. And yes, that is a problem where I come from. And yes, I love the place from which I come, flying giant roaches and all.

What Southern store would open it's doors without Honey Buns, the quintessential Southern breakfast food. Every year on his birthday Mr. PG&S indulges in one or twelve of these bad boys.

Oh, and the HOT BAR in a Southern store? PURE D HEAVEN!

Here we've got stewed okra

and fried catfish fingers

and fried chicken

and macaroni and cheese

Look Out! You MUST get a Fancy Southern Pie for dessert. No ordinary pie will do

Unless of course, you are a true New Orleanian and are partial to a Hubig's pie. Bite into one of these puppies and you will hear angels sing.

These dried shrimp were at the check-out. I am not sure WHAT you do with them. They looked like something you would see in a Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

LSU Rice Krispie treats to go with your Beef Patties. Super cute for tailgating.

And moon pies? You gotta have your moon pies. With a RC Cola, of course.

Remember the post about my search for Sister Schubert's here in the great white North? Well, displays like this are one of the many reasons I'd kill to move back down South. I mean look at all the different varieties of rolls!

And the evil twin of the Lance Snack Crackers are the Snack Cakes

This store had not one kind of snack cakes but two kinds of snack cakes! I am partial to Little Debbie myself but either would do in a pinch. What Southern child does not remember bringing lunch to school as a child and eating the Swiss Cake Roll before their baloney sandwich because they just couldn't wait to dig into its chocolaty goodness?

Other things I will never see at Stop & Shop? Poboy bread

Red velvet anything

petit fours

And Who Dat Champagne! I just love how the label says "Bless you Boys!"

Bless you is right. Bless you one and all. And bless me as a I wander the aisles of a boring, boring grocery store where all the people around me fill their carts with Ezekiel bread and sushi and organic EVERYTHING because it is the trendy and "educated" thing to do (according to the NY Times, anyway). And pray for me as I dream nightly of Swiss Rolls and Pork Rinds and Catfish Fingers.

In the words of the ONE AND ONLY, Southern sage extraordinare, Hank Williams, Jr., "If Heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, then I don't want to go."

Queen of the Prom

2010-08-26T19:26:00.001-04:00

The other day Pinkie asked me to play this game with her--

There is no telling where we got it (probably a garage sale) but I totally loved that it was the 1990s edition. I was gonna play that game and WIN! Look out, Pinkie, I am going to TAKE YOU DOWN, I told her. You see my very own Senior Prom was in 1991 and although I cannot for the life of me remember a thing about it (except that I had a cummerbund and bow tie made to match my dress and made my boyfriend wear it, to which he replied, less than thrilled, "I look like Carmen Miranda."), I can tell you that I did not in fact win Prom Queen (ok, we didn't have a prom queen, but still I was gunning to win this game).

The goal of the game is to collect one boyfriend, one hair-do, one dress and one mode of transportation to the Prom then you go home, change clothes and win the crown!

First you chose which Barbie you want to be. Here are the choices--

Tough, huh? I mean do you want to be the one with the totally tubular side pony? Or the one with hair the size of Texas? Or better yet the one with shoulder ruffles the size of Teresa Guidice's debt?

Your next tough decision is your date. Let me introduce you to the contenders:

What a bunch of total hotties, right? (Is that a band aid on that one dork's glasses?!) The dude on the far right looks old enough to be someone's Dad!!!

Next is my favorite decision--mode of transportation!

Bitchin' Camaro or noble stead? It's a tough call. (And just for the record, I am pretty sure that if I arrived at my senior prom on a freakin' horse, I would never be able to show my face at that school or any other school South of the Mason-Dixon Line ever again.)

And finally, what is prom without a killer frock?

I think the girl on the very bottom is Lola from the Copacabana...

Who won the game, you ask? Pinkie. Of course. She was so happy you would think she had just won an Academy Award or a Pulitzer Prize. She even gave an acceptance speech, "I want to thank my mommy for living through the 90s and, even though her brain is fried from all the perm chemicals, loving me enough to play silly board games with me..."

Back To Reality

2010-07-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

After 10 wonderful days in the land of cotton, I have returned to the East Coast to serve out the remainder of my life sentence. Back to where, instead of holding open doors for you and smiling and asking "How y'all?", people scowl, tell you to hurry up and don't even let you out of baggage claim until you prove that the luggage you are struggling to corral is indeed your own. Makes you want to relocate, doesn't it?

At least while I was in the Deep South, I was able to spend my time with the people who help keep me sane and remind me of who I am and where I come from, like sweet Laura of The Horton Family and her bff, Leigh, who meet me for lunch one day. Although we have been reading each other's blogs for several years, Laura and I had never meet in person. But y'all, the three of us had THE BEST TIME! We laughed and talked and laughed some more!

She even brought me a gift! Isn't she the GREATEST?!

Of course, it was wrapped in pink and green!

And look-ee what was inside that cute bag--a TON of Louisiana delicacies. I can't wait to get cooking!!!

Thanks Laura and Leigh for coming to see me! I am so thankful that we got to "do lunch" but also a little sad that we can't do it again like RIGHT NOW!

Thursday Thoughts

2010-07-15T23:37:00.001-04:00

Also known as Random Thoughts Running Around in my Head...

*There is a fly in my house the size of a bird and it is driving me FREAKIN' INSANE!

*Within minutes of each post I get a freaky comment written in ~~some kind of hieroglyphs~~ Chinese Symbols. What the hell is this and how can I make it stop?!

*Cracker Barrel has Coca-Cola Cake on their menu right now for a limited time only, which, if you have not had the pleasure of experiencing, I feel I must tell you is THE MOST amazing dessert on the face of the planet. Get thee to your nearest CB, STAT, and order a piece or 12. Now.

*I just bought a pair of Fit Flops and they better ~~give me the ass of Heidi Klum~~ do something because let's face it, those things are FREAKIN' UGLY!

*I was invited to a Girl's Night Out with some ladies from my church yesterday and I realized about 15 minutes before I was supposed to be there that I needed to bring an appetizer. So, faster than you can say SLACKER, I cobbled together some taco dip and, on a whim, threw in some bacon bits. OMG! The skies parted and the angels sang when it put this dip on a Scoop and into my mouth. Is there anything in the world that cannot be made better with the addition of bacon?! I think you could fry shoe leather in some bacon grease and I would eat it. Pork Fat RULES!!!

*Now that summer is half way over I really need to get some of my "summer reading" done. I plan to read this

and this

But I can guar-an-tee you that I will NOT be reading this

I know you must be thinking that I am off my rocker right about now. I mean WHO doesn't want to read the autobiography of a 25-year-old who, in the brief quarter century she has been alive, has beat an addiction to cocaine, slept with a corpse (Hugh Hefner) and proudly gone on record as Olive Garden's biggest fan?

*In honor of my upcoming trip to Louisiana, I got a mani/pedi today and chose "Cajun Shrimp" as the color! And speaking of Cajun Shrimp, how great is the news that, after 89 days, the leak in the Gulf has been plugged?! Hopefully, this means that Parkway Bakery's biggest, badest Shrimp Po Boy will be ripe for the pickin' when my plane lands at Louis Armstrong International Airport on Saturday! Aye-Eie!

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

2010-07-15T00:23:00.000-04:00

Whoever wrote that song was clearly not a mother. So much for a relaxing, slow paced summer. This spring visions of some serious summer rest and relaxation danced in my head. I pictured myself lounging by the pool or the shore all day every day with a tropical beverage in one hand and an US magazine in the other. Well, we have been to the beach one time for a grand total of about 40 minutes and we have been in the pool maybe a handful of times.

Pinkie is currently enrolled in day camp which means I have to wake up each morning at like 8:00 (quelle horror!) and, before I have even finished my first cup of coffee, pack her a lunch, one of the many mother chores that I truly despise because, let's face it, you know the teachers are totally judging you by what you put in your child's lunch. One Little Debbie cake too many and you are on their LIST.

And not only am I tired, I am stinkin' HOT. I realize that it is summer and junk but I live in Connecticut, not THE DEEP SOUTH and I just don't think it is fair that a place that is like 6 below in the winter can also be 100 degrees in the summer.

When I pick Pinkie up from camp every afternoon she is all sweaty and miserable too and all she wants to do is come home, lie on the couch and watch TV. And wonderful mother that I am, I let her because I AM HOT and cranky and let's face it, I am not winning mother of the year so why even try?!

It is hot outside and inside because according to our AC repair man, code only allows the AC to cool the house 20 degrees below the outside temperature. I say to hell with THE CODE. If I want to hang meat in my house I should be able to.

And you know all those articles you read from the AMA and junk that say that watching TV is bad for kids? Well, I don't buy it. Just the other day, in an effort to assist my worthless AC, I turned on a big ass floor fan and Pinkie said, "Look Mama, it oscillates!" and when I asked her how she knew such a big word she told me she heard it on TV. Take that, Dr. Sears!

You heard correctly, I have an AC REPAIR MAN because it just would not be summer in the PG&S household without one of our three ACs breaking down. Good times. I guess that's what you get when you buy a house with three 20 year old AC units. Oh well, I am just glad we have AC. Can you believe their are (lots of) houses in my town without central air?! I realize there are worse things but I cannot for the life of me think of them right now.

So in addition to all this heat, up until last night we were having a drought and even though this weather is killing me, PRAISE THE GOOD LORD, my vegetable garden is loving it. I have all kinds of plants growing that wouldn't even think of growing last summer. But the lack of rain and triple digit heat means I have to go out and water the damn thing like twice a day. Good thing homegrown tomatoes erase all kinds of WRONG.

So after weeks with no rain we got 2 inches of rain in 30 minutes last night and our basement flooded ever so slighty and when I called my hubby to ask him what to do he was too busy ~~sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico~~ working to tell me so I spent the next two hours on the phone with whoever I could think of that might know what to do while simultaneously mopping up the huge mess. Some days being a homeowner just stinks. I could really use a vacation. Luckily, the girls and I are going to visit my parent's in a few days, but wait, they live in Louisiana and the humidity is 100% and my dad keeps the house at 81 degrees...

Another thing that has me just a little cranky this summer is my darn dog. Last month she bit Pinkie so now we have this dog whisperer coming over to teach me us how to train her and the last thing I have time to do is train ~~the world's most stubborn dog~~ a beagle. The trainer told me to call her 40-50 times a day and reward her with a treat when she comes so that she will learn to come when we call her name. Are you f'in kidding me?! 40-50 times a day?! I barely have time to brush my hair, blog, feed my children,etc, etc. but SURE I will drop EVERYTHING 40-50 times a day and call my dog. There is just one tiny little problem.What this guy charges could feed an entire thirld world country for a decade so I have to do what he says. Otherwise, I am flushing MR. PG&S's hard earned money down the drain.

In the midst of all this heat, the home show fall/winter catalogs have been coming in the mail. And I must say even though it feels like the devil's disco outside, the sight of all those cute ruffled pants and corduroy jumpers makes me foam at the mouth. So, in an effort to feed my creative spirit, I spent the other morning trying to figure out how to use the ruffler foot I bought like 7 years ago. And it would have been an enjoyable morning except that it took me 5.5 hours to figure it out. But figure it out I did and I even went on to make these cute pants

You know that semi-homemade chick, Sandra Lee? Well this is my version of semi-homemade sewing. These are just cheapo leggings from Wally World that I added a ruffle to. I have big plans to make a ton of these because they take like a half an hour to make. Go here for a great tutorial on how to do this yourself. (the top is just a store-bought tank with a ruffled placket accented with rhinestone buttons down the center--instructions in a previous blog post)

Look at some of the cute fabric I purchased from Allegro Fabrics; I just can't wait to have fun with it!

Running with the semi-homemade theme, I plan on buying some cheapo turtlenecks and long sleeve
tees to monogram and appliqué and Voila, winter clothes for Pinkie. Not that she needs any. (Really, I have a sickness.) This afternoon, I went into the attic and got out all Miss Priss's old size 6/6X clothes and it was like Christmas--sooo many cute things for Pinkie to wear. But the sad news is that this is the last box of clothes in the attic that contains smocked dresses because at this exact age Miss Priss came home from school one day and promptly informed me that she and smocked dresses and bows were getting a D-I-V-O-R-C-E. Saddest day of my life.

Speaking of fall and winter wardrobes check out this precious sweater dress I picked up for Pinkie at Costco the other day

Another creative outlet I have going on this summer is crocheting. One of my friend's mother-in-law is teaching me because she is also a leftie. We started our lessons way back in like February and I think I have finally gotten the hang of it. (I told you I was a slow learner). I am making a throw for Pinkie and once I master a throw that size I will make a larger one for Miss Priss. But I am really only learning how to do this so when I have grandbabies I can make them booties. I just love little baby feet, don't you?

Well, I better go. It is almost midnight and remember, I have to get up when the rooster crows to make Pinkie's lunch and take her to camp. What do you think the teacher's will think about me if I put one of those Canwiches in it?!

God Bless the USA!!!

2010-07-04T09:40:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July, Friends! How is everyone celebrating?! We are hanging by our pool this morning while Mr. PG&S slow cooks some ribs on the grill then this afternoon we are heading over to friends to swim some more, then tonight we will go see the town fireworks. I hope everyone has a SUPER day!

(To make your own patriotic flower arrangement, grab a ball jar, fill it with strawberries and water, then simply insert hydrangeas from the yard and a mini flag and Voila, instant centerpiece for today's picnic table!)

More Fair Finds

2010-07-02T09:53:00.000-04:00

I am still furiously trying to find a place in my home for all my amazing fair finds but I wanted to take a minute to share with you this "tableau" I created on the island in my kitchen with some of my fair finds. This whole thing started out with a need to have fruit visible to my children so that they are tempted to reach for a healthy snack this summer instead of something else. I also needed easy access to dog treats for our pesky beagle, Lulu, who we are in the process of training. My reason for sharing this is with you is to show how easy it is to create something pretty and functional in your home for a song using things they you can find at just about any tag sale.

The dog treats are in the blue willow ($1) container and the fruit is (obviously) in the two bowls. Next, I added a 50 cent hand-painted tray, two picture frames, an angel figurine, an iron candle stick, a crystal compote filled with flowers from my garden, and an engraved silver wine bucket used as a planter. Nothing cost me more than $5 and all these items are readily available at tag sales no matter where you live.

Just get creative! Look for unexpected ways to use things and don't let a little dirt or any imperfections stop you! The wine bucket was terribly pitted and tarnished when I found it but it was nothing a little Maas silver polish wouldn't fix. And some people may be turned off by the personalized engraving on the bucket but I chose to view it as charming. Who cares that I didn't attend Alouse and Roger's 25th Anniversary Fete!? The two-tier fruit basket was all rusted but for 25 cents I chose to take it home and give it a new lease on life with a little black spray paint.

It would be nice if I had actually put pictures in the frames before I posted this, huh? One of the frames is a Jay Strongwater frame that I scored for $2! Tag Sales are always heavy on frames. And I chose love that little cherub! It looks like something Mary Carol Garrity would have in her home, doesn't it?!

It makes me so happy to have flowers from my garden on display! Crystal pieces also seem to be abundant at tag sales.

Now, if only I could get my children to eat all this fruit before it goes bad!!! The fruit flies have already started to circle!

But seriously, with a little hunting, some pennies and elbow grease coupled with a little creativity you too can turn your very own tag sale finds into fun decorations for your home. Happy Hunting!

Camp Twitter Facebook

2010-07-01T08:03:00.000-04:00

We dropped Pinkie off at camp on Sunday. She is at a training camp for cheerleaders, gymnasts, skateboarders and BMXers. It is a word class facility with all the latest and coolest amenities but I have to say I was shocked to see kids wandering around talking/texting on their phones and hanging out in the "lounge" on their laptops. I was also shocked to see Red Bull vending machines at every turn. My friend says it sounds like I dropped my daughter off at Camp Twitter Facebook.

Indeed, I have. She has called me at least 10 times since drop-off and has texted me more times than I can count. One text was to inform me that that day's guest coach was Shawn Johnson--how cool is that?! She has also called me numerous times to complain about how sore she is. My mother reminded me that if she could not call me she would figure things out on her own. Instead, I found myself at the PO yesterday overnighting her three tubes of Icy-Hot. Talk about helicopter parenting! I am so ashamed.

One old-fashion thing that did make its way to Camp Twitter Facebook is this box of detergent:

How cute is that pink and green vintage box? I found it at our church tag sale and to my surprise it was full of lots of little detergent packets that were still good. I sent it along in Pinkie's trunk with instructions on how to wash her sports bras and spandex in the bathroom sink. But who am I kidding? Camp Twitter Facebook of course has a laundry service and I am sure when I pick her up I will be receiving her bill!

The Year of the Shoe

2010-06-30T14:12:00.000-04:00

The year's tag sale was definitely the year of the shoe for me! I scored some amazing foot wear!

My first pair of Hunter Wellies

A pink patent leather pair of Tod's Driving Moccasins with the, wait for it...

TAG STILL ON!!!

Some Jack Rogers

And a brand new pair of Miss Trish sandals!

Oh, how I looove shoes!!!

Fourth of July Finery

2010-06-29T08:20:00.000-04:00

Awhile back I did a post on the cute red, white and blue madras dress I picked up for Pinkie to wear for the Fourth of July that I found at Walmart--gasp! Now, check out what I found there for me! I know, I know Walmart has a certain kind of well, how do I say it?--reputation--but I love dressing for the holidays but I do not love spending tons of money on something that is only going to be worn a handful of times so I was just delighted to find these cuties at this price point. And my red and white Jack Rogers really do dress it up, don't you think, lol?! So, God Bless America. And Sam Walton. The End.

Bloggy Friend Meet-up

2010-06-25T21:08:00.000-04:00

Several weeks ago I was fortunate to meet Amanda from Baby Makes 5 in real life! She was in NYC on a getaway with her hubby and luckily she and I were able to meet up for lunch at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain. It was so yummy and the company was divine! We had sooo much fun together! Amanda even gifted me with the most beautiful key chain.Thanks, Amanda, for taking time out of your couples trip to hang with me. Check out Amanda's awesomeness, including the absolutely adorable American Girl Spa Party she threw for her five year old daughter, Charlotte at http://amanda-babymakes5.blogspot.com/.

Fair Recap

2010-06-22T22:46:00.000-04:00

The fair is over and I am still recouping. It was a long two weeks accepting donations for the rummage sale portion of the fair, setting-up, organizing and pricing. But what fun we had! I just love my small town and my little country church!

Check out this pic of the church ladies making pies to sell at the fair:

If only this blog was scratch and sniff and I could share with you how heavenly this smelled! They were making apple pies, peach pies and pecan pies and truly, the whole church smelled di-vine!

Look at this lovely mirror someone donated to our rummage sale! I quickly took this over to our antiques section. Sadly, it did not sell (I think the man in charge of antiques priced it at $900!) but rumor has it that our minister is going to put it in the parsonage.

And now for pictures of the tent where we had the rummage sale:

Housewares

More Housewares

And even more housewares

Linens and Holiday

Garden

Pictures

Toys

Outdoor toys

Garden and Pets

More toys

(Not pictures: electrical, small appliances, holiday, crafts, office, jewelry, luggage, and hardware--we had A LOT of stuff!)

Over in clothes, someone donated a whole collection of size 11 Feragamo's

How cool are these old theater seats?!

While I was busy selling "junque" Pinkie had a ball doing all the kid's activities

And after the fair, the whole congregation celebrated with a pig roast, a live band and dancing!

And the best part, all the money raised goes to charity!!!

Garden Supper

2010-06-16T06:54:00.000-04:00

My mother and father and some of their friends recently hosted a garden supper to honor their friend's daughter and her fiance. My mother always does such a lovely job entertaining that I just had to share her pictures. Above is the cake she decorated for the lovely couple.

Another shot of the cake

The dining room table

The guests tables

The bar outside by the pool

The patio table

Church Fair

2010-06-15T06:51:00.000-04:00

I have spent the past week getting ready for a rummage sale at our church fair. It is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. You never know what you will find under the tent--like this lovely lamp?

Do you think we have enough fake flowers? It looks like a cemetery in the garden section.

The toys multiply at night!

This picture does not do these scary paintings justice--the little one has mirrored inserts--yuck!

The houseware department is over-flowing!

Some of the furniture we are beginning to collect (most of it will be delivered the day before the fair).

Some one donated their collection of camels. I've never known anyone who collects camels!

How about this lovely (not!) toilet paper holder?! We also have a matching potty chair!

Check back because after the fair I will do a post on all my scores!

The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Seen...

2010-06-14T06:56:00.001-04:00

Have you seen the commercial for these? I am seriously disturbed. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Beach Portraits

2010-06-13T09:02:00.000-04:00

I've been busy--very, very busy! Here is a sneak peek at the pictures I had made of my girls at the beach. I hate that I haven't been blogging at all lately, I miss you girls, but life has gotten in the way, lol! Hopefully, I will be back tonight to fill you in on my latest escapades! I have been trying to read everyone's posts but have been a slacker in the comment department so I hope you all will forgive me. I hope that the summer will bring a more relaxed pace around the PG&S household!

Tag Sale Season

2010-05-21T07:00:00.002-04:00

Is back here in the Northeast and I couldn't be more excited!!! Here are some recent scores:

A great Old Master Style frame for only $20--I plan to frame one of the beach pics of the girls in it!

Some great throw pillows (custom and Pierre Deux)

A great pair of brass-and-crystal candlesticks, a Jay's soap dish, and a piece of Wedgewood for 25 cents!!!

A rooster door stop, an apothecary jar, and a silk orchid

A framed Blue Willow needlepoint piece

A stack of picture frames and a fun tassel

And some really cool silhouettes.

I also scored some really cool large antique frames. Now if I only had some more wall space!

Tulane Graduation

2010-05-20T07:00:00.005-04:00

This past weekend we went to New Orelans for my step-son's college graduation.

We ate lots of food

Tried to stay away from these

Saw a couple of these

Cut a rug to the Hot 8 Brass Band

Attended the Tulane University Wave Goodbye Party in the campus quad

and Commencement Exercises in the Superdome

where we heard a GREAT speech by Anderson Cooper

listened to some more jazz

watched a second-lining graduation class

then ate an ah-mazing celebratory lunch at the Palace Cafe on Canal

Complete with tableside Bananas Foster for dessert

and a view of the streetcar

We are so proud of our boy. His class was the first class to enroll in the university after Katrina. It was a leap of faith to let our son go off to such a torn and broken place but we have great faith in the people of New Orleans and a deep love for the city as does he so off he went where he not only thrived but excelled, graduating Summa Cum Laude! Way to go, Rooster!!!

How Do Girlie Girls Play Sports?

2010-05-19T15:01:00.000-04:00

Well, in the PG&S household this is how!

I am sorry that I have been such a bad blogger but why is May such a crazy month?! And I know it is not just crazy for me. I have been trying to read blogs (so sorry that my comments have been sparse) and I have noticed that this is a trend right now--Jessica and Mama Henley have both blogged about it recently! We have been busy with softball and soccer for the girls, end of the year celebrations, a trip to New Orleans for my step-son's college graduation, and I don't even know what else! Sheesh, is anybody else ready for summer and a break from the daily grind?!

Pork Tenderloin with Herb Sauce

2010-05-07T13:08:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is grill and I love to grill Pork Tenderloin. Try this yummy recipe I found on AllRecipes.Com the next time you grill out. Your stomach will thank me!

Ingredients

3/4 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, cubed
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 boneless pork tenderloin

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Cook for 3 minutes or until butter is melted. Grill pork tenderloins, covered, over medium heat for 18-20 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F, basting with herb sauce and turning occasionally. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

The Dominican Michael Jackson

2010-05-03T18:25:00.000-04:00

Back in the day, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. So imagine my delight when, on our trip to Punta Cana for Spring Break, our resort hosted a Michael Jackson show with an ah-mazing MJ impersonator! You must watch this video I took of him and please forgive me for videoing him sideways (sorry--new camera!). Your just gonna have to cock your head cuz your gonna wanna watch this, I pinkie swear!

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Beach Pics

2010-04-30T06:00:00.007-04:00

It is no secret that I love pictures of my daughters. So imagine my excitement when I recently won a free portrait session with a local photographer. The session also comes with a complimentary CD that includes 10 pictures. And even better than that, my beautiful step-daughter, Cookie, is coming into town Memorial Day weekend so I am going to have all three girl's picture made together at the beach.

Here is what I have chosen for them to wear (they will all be barefoot):

For Cookie, age 19

For Miss Priss, age 13

and Pinkie, age 5

I can't wait!!! Not being able to post the pictures on her is going to kill me, I just know it!

Sister Schubert's Parker House Rolls

2010-04-29T14:41:00.000-04:00

I have posted about these ah-mazing rolls before. A couple of years ago at Thanksgiving I went all over the county looking for them, to no avail. Last Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had to make my own Parker House rolls and while they were extremely yummy, making homemade rolls is a lot of work.

So imagine my excitement when Fresh Market came to town. Fresh Market is headquarted in the South and as a result, carries lots of Southern products. They sell real pimento cheese (not that yucky imitation stuff), Pictsweet frozen veggies, Mary B's biscuits, Silver Queen corn, frozen breaded okra, Annie's dumplings...be still my beating heart.

On a whim I called them to see if they had my rolls. They didn't but they did have the Sister Schubert's Sausage Wrap Rolls! I hurried over there and bought three pans on the spot! Then a brilliant idea popped into my head. May-be, if I asked the manager real nice, he could order some of the Parker House rolls for me! Well, he told me shot me down and I vowed never to shop there again!

Well, lo and behold, Mr. PG&S and I stopped by there on Saturday for some steaks to grill for supper and what did I see in the freezer section?! Yes, MY ROLLS! It took every fiber of my being not to snatch them up right then and there but I knew if I did I would want to buy at least 5 (or more!) trays and if I did this my husband would deem me crazy so I held off. So today, I went back, alone, and bought 'em out! Why did I buy them all, you ask? Well, I am afraid no one will buy them up here and the manager will stop ordering them! I know there are worse things, but I can't think of them right now.

But there is still one problem--now that I have the rolls in my possession, I am under extreme pressure. Every time I want to serve them I am going to have to judge whether or not the occasion is roll-worthy, kind of like that episode of Seinfield where Elaine interviews all her dates to see if they are indeed sponge-worthy (click this link for a clip of that hilarious episode--http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=288892985899). Ridiculous I know, but I am willing to bet that there are some Parker House rolls dripping in butter on the supper buffet in Heaven's cafeteria, they are that good!

Bloggy Redirection

2010-04-27T17:06:00.000-04:00

I have not dropped off the face off the earth. I have just taken a break that was precipitated by a recent meeting I attended at Miss Priss' middle school. The topic of this meeting was "Keeping Kid's Safe in the Digital Age." One of the police officers from our small town lead the meeting along with each grade counselor, the principal and the vice-principal. I felt it was especially important that I attend this meeting as my daughter has her own laptop and Iphone and just got her own Facebook page. I want to be armed with all the facts as I go down the path of parenting a teen for the very first time. Things are sooo different for her then they were for me when I was a teen!

The talk focused mainly on keeping our children safe from on-line predators. The officer showed a picture of a local sex offender's home and let me tell you, this picture made my skin crawl. It was a picture of a computer in a home that looked like it could be on an episode of hoarders! All I could think about was that sex-offenders in homes like this all over the world could be looking at my children on my blog! Suddenly I was sick to my stomach. He said putting your pictures on the computer for all the world to see on Facebook (or a blog!) is like inviting a stranger into your home to view your personal photo albums. I would never do that so why would I put all my personal photos on the world-wide web?! It then hit me that all my preaching to Miss Priss about keeping her FB settings private so no strangers can see her pictures means nothing when I myself am putting them up on my blog. So, I came home and made a vow to her that I would no longer post family pictures on my blog.

I am by no means saying that all of you bloggers out there that do put pictures of your children online are wrong. I am simply saying that continuing to do so makes me, in the eyes of my daughter, a hypocrite and I cannot, in good consciousness, ask her to do something that I myself am not. I toyed with the idea of going private but I really treasure all the friends I have made through my blog and really want to continue to meet others. So, I am changing directions! From here on out this blog will no longer feature my children. Then what will it feature, you ask? Well, I am not sure. I am still trying to figure that out. I am open to any and all suggestions and would love to hear from you!

Rest in Peace, Julia Sugarbaker

2010-04-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

I woke up yesterday morning to the devastating news of Dixie Carter's death. A graduate of my alma mater and one of the world's finest actress, her death devastates me.

In her role as Julia Sugarbaker, Dixie was the master of the "Steel Magnolia Soliloquy". Here is one of my favorites and one of her most famous:

I love you Julia. The South has lost a true lady.

Room Made Over For a Teen!

2010-04-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

I have been absent from the bloggy world for about a week because, although I am loving these Spring weather, my allergies are not. Also, I have been busily preparing for Miss Priss' 13th bday party tonight and making over her room--from a little girl room to a room fit for a TEEN!

Miss Priss specifically requested pink sequined walls and sequined walls is what she got!

Mr. PG&S says it looks like the inside of I Dream of Jeannie's bottle. Pinkie says it looks like a rock star's room. But most importantly, Miss Priss loves it!!!

(sequin fabric ordered from OnlineFabricStore.Net, cut into panels and hung from Ikea's dignitet system)

Easter Preparations

2010-04-01T21:36:00.000-04:00

We have been busy these week dying eggs

Polishing shoes

and pressing Easter Sunday frocks

Getting cook books out and making menus for Easter Dinner

wrapping a hostess gift for Sunday's lunch with friends

Making Pinkie an appliquéd tee to wear while hunting eggs (look closely--the bunny is wearing pearls--can you STAND IT?!)

Attending Maundy Thursday dinner at church complete with a re-enactment of the Last Supper

And spending time in the word

What have you been doing this week in preparation for Easter?!

Diva Den "Before"

2010-03-31T14:07:00.000-04:00

On Friday Miss Priss will be 13!!!! and I can.not.believe. it. Birthdays no longer consist of smocked dresses, easter egg hunts and big pink bows

like her precious second birthday, but know they are all teenagey. And stuff. Next Friday night a bunch of teenage girls are coming over for a fashion photo shoot by a local photographer followed by pizza and a sleepover. Heaven help me.

Sometimes, I don't even know where I am!!!

When asked what she wanted for her birthday Prissy promptly informed me that she wanted a Juicy purse, jewelry from Tiffany and a newly decorated bedroom. Huh?!

Instead of the gorgeous English brass headboard that I picked out for her she now has this

Yes, that is a pink vinyl headboard with speakers in it.

And this lovely Pierre Deux toile wallpaper

and these custom drapes????

As of this weekend, they will be gone, replaced with this:

Stay tuned for the "after" pics of my now teenagers "Diva Den" (and to see if I am still standing...)!

Walmart Knocks off the Home Shows

2010-03-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

I love Madras and so do the kid's home shows this season.

Ragsland

Kelly's Kid's

So imagine my surprise when I happened upon this little cutie for $10 at Wal-Mart...

Pinkie's new Fourth of July dress!

Tickled Pink

2010-03-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have been out shopping and found some pretty pink treats for my girls...

A pink grosgrain and pearl necklace for Miss Priss

And pink Jack Rogers (knocked off by Stuart Weitzman!) for Pinkie!

(The necklace is from Old Navy and the sandals are from Marshall's.)

Cupcake Easter Eggs

2010-03-25T11:38:00.000-04:00

How cute are these cupcake Easter Eggs that I found at Wal-Mart?! I can't wait to see the girl's faces when they find these cuties hidden in the grass!!!

Family Mementos

2010-03-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, my sweet bloggy friend Amanda from Baby Makes 5 commented on all the family mementos in our wall of Fame. I love displaying family mementos and really like the way they personalize our gallery wall. Our Wall of Fame in this house is much smaller than the one in our last home and, after filling the space in this home, I had quite a few pictures and mementos left over. In looking around our home trying to find a place to put these "left-overs" I found a place for many of them on the built-ins in my husband's home office. If you are looking for a way to "liven-up" your built-ins or bookcases I highly recommended showcasing some of your treasured family heirlooms. Below are pictures of some of the mementos in our office:

My husband's paternal grandfather's typewriter and one of his old cameras

My husband's drum sticks from high school

My husband's maternal grandfather's flag from World War I

My husband's Pine Wood Derby cars, some of his old trophies, and a signed football from his childhood idol, Roger Staubach

My husband's grandfather's pocket watches

An old black and white photo of my hometown

More old camera's from my husband's paternal grandfather and my great uncle

A framed bumper sticker from one of our favorite restaurants

What do you treasure that you can display???

Wall of Fame

2010-03-18T07:00:00.004-04:00

I love family pictures. I have tons of them all over the house. And in each and everyone one of our homes (there have been 5!) we have had what we call our "Wall of Fame"--a gallery of family photos and mementos that I treasure. Although, we have lived in this house for 2 years, I just got around to hanging our wall of fame in our basement kitchenette over the dry bar that I showed you earlier in the week.

Some fun items I included in our "Wall of Fame" are high school and college diplomas, a college "letter", silhouettes of me and the girls, caricatures of the girls, my mother-in-law's engagement picture, a picture of my great-grandparents in their Memphis restaurant, pictures of my grandparents at my wedding, my grandfather in his World War II uniform, a hilarious picture of my parents at a fraternity party in college, and Miss Priss' handprint.

For great instructions on how to hang your own Wall of Fame see this tutorial .

Seed Starting

2010-03-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Spring is coming any minute now here in the Northeast so that means it is time for me to plant seeds for my garden. I won't be able to put anything in the ground until around Mother's Day but if I want any cool weather plants I must start them by seed now. Last year I was all frugal and planted my seeds in old egg cartons then covered them with Saran Wrap to hold in the condensation. And although this works, it is kind of a pain so this year I decided to buy the Jiffy Greenhouse and let me say, I love it!

Each greenhouse costs around $6 and is so easy to use. Pinkie and I had a ball planting our seeds this year--no mess, no muss, no fuss! The kit come with an 11"X22" inch plastic tray, 72 peat pellets and a plastic dome to cover the tray. All, you have to do is get the peat pellets wet, make a small hole in the center, place 2-3 seeds in the hole and cover it. Put the lid on the tray and place the greenhouse in a warm, sunny area and wait for your seeds to sprout! Pinkie and I planted lettuce, carrotts, eggplant, and peas, all plants which prefer cooler weather so they will go into the garden first.

Another must have for all gardeners is this book:

It is my gardening bible and truly helps to make gardening more of a joy and less of a chore!

Our Two Doggies...

2010-03-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

They're in love!!!

Pink & Green at Home Goods

2010-03-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

I love all these pink and green monogrammed items, but of course their were no "K"s to be had!!!

Love this quilt and green sheets--very Lilly-esque

Oh, how I love these initial plaques! I so desperately want one for Pinkie's room, but, you guessed it...no "K"s!

How cute is this pink and green alligator tote in the kid's section?!

What little girl doesn't need a pink Easy Chair?!

Dry Bar

2010-03-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

I bought this old record player cabinet or Victrola cabinet or whatever it is at our church fair last year for $15 with the intention of turning it into a dry bar in the kitchenette near our pool. Well, last week I finally tackled it. First, I primed it, then I painted it creme and and antiqued it with Minwax's Provincial Stain (my fav). Finally, I distressed it by rubbing in random spots with a very gritty sandpaper.

I had a piece of mirror cut to go inside the piece and when it was all dry I added the fun stuff!

Now we need to have a party!!!

Secretary Revamp

2010-03-09T06:50:00.002-05:00

Here is Eddie Ross' revamped secretary:

And here's mine:

I love it!!!

Pillowcase Dresses

2010-03-08T11:02:00.001-05:00

Hobby Lobby is one of my favorite stores. When we moved to the East Coast I was so bummed that there was no Hobby Lobby, but one just recently opened about an hour from my house! I know this is a ridiculous drive with gas being close to $3 a gallon but I needed my HL fix (not to mention Sonic--there is a Sonic in this town too!) so I recently made the trip and among other things, picked up a ton of cute fabric!

I decided to use the fabric to make pillowcase dresses for Pinkie to wear this spring/summer. If you have never made a pillowcase dress before they are super easy and only take about half an hour to sew! You can't bet that! And they are soooo cute and versatile. I made mine tea-length for Pinkie to wear now and as she grows and gets taller she can continue to wear them with leggings underneath. She can even wear them in the colder months with a turtleneck or a tee-shirt underneath!

For instruction on how to make your own pillowcase dress pattern, click here!

Here is a pic of Pinkie modeling her favorite yesterday after Bible Sunday at church:

Furniture Makeover

2010-03-05T08:18:00.021-05:00

I have several of pieces of furniture in my house that I have picked up at flea markets & yard sales that are in dire need of a makeover. Due to time and sheer laziness, I have been putting off these much needed overhauls for way too long. Yesterday, I bit the bullet and tackled two pieces--a French provincial dresser similar to this one

photo courtesy of Eddie Ross

and a secretary. After I finished, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Eddie Ross' latest blog post showcasing this video of him at a flea market talking about making over furniture. In the video, he shows a piece exactly like mine!

Here is my finished result:

I paid $45 for the piece several years ago at a yard sale and since that day, it has been in my master bedroom patiently awaiting the day it would leave the 1960s and enter the 21st century! First, I primed the piece, then I painted it Covington Blue (Ben Moore). Finally, I rubbed on some Minwax stain in Provincial to antique it. It looks soooo much better!

Check back soon to see what I did with this tired old secretary (once again, I was inspired by Eddie Ross):

I also have an old Victrola that I plan to paint and turn into a bar. In my mind, I will tackle this next week, but we will see if that really happens!

Awards

2010-03-03T06:13:00.004-05:00

I have received two new awards--HOW FUN!!!

The lovely Jessica at The Entertaining House gave me the Sugar Doll Award. The rules say that the recipient must divulge 10 aspects of her/his life and/or personality; the recipient must mention the person who bestowed the award and then pass on the award to 15 blogs she loves. Finally, the recipient must notify the new "winners."

Here goes:

1.) I don't like chewing gum.

2.) I can't snap.

3.) Wooden popsicle sticks skeeve me out.

4.) I don't like cartoons--never have, never will.

5.) I'm blind without contacts.

6.) I drink my coffee black.

7.) I graduated from college in 3.5 years

8.) My first car was a 1981 Chevy Malibu.

9.) My husband and I eloped.

10.) I am a died-in-the-wool Southerner but don't like sweet tea or deviled eggs.

And my sweet friend friend Semi-Slacker Mom gave me the Master Award. For this award, the recipient must list 6 things they are a master in and pass the award onto 6 bloggers that they think are masters at friendship and make blogging fun. I am a master at: sleeping, eating, complaining, cooking fattening food, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, and giving hugs (at least that's what Pinkie tells me.)

I am passing both these awards to all my followers!!!

Easter Candy Bar Is Up!!!

2010-03-02T06:09:00.000-05:00

If you enlarge the picture and look in the white baskets you will see the sock bunnies Pinkie made on one of our many snow days. Here are the directions from Family Fun magazine:

Materials

Spoon or funnel
Dried lentils
Child's sock
Rubber band
Ribbon

Scissors
Felt
White pom-pom or cotton ball
Tacky glue

Instructions

To make your own bunny beanbag, use a spoon or a funnel to add dried lentils to a child's sock, filling it up just past the heel. Close the sock with a tightly looped rubber band.
To create the head and neck, tie a ribbon around the sock just below the heel.
Use scissors to cut the sock's cuff into two ears, rounding the edges to give them the right shape.
Cut a nose, teeth, and eyes from felt. Attach the facial features and a white pom-pom or cotton ball tail with tacky glue.

Dog Walking in a Tiara

2010-03-01T18:09:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been MIA but we have been busy with the dogs! Of course, we walk them wearing tiaras!!!

Snow and a New Addition to the Family

2010-02-24T07:00:00.005-05:00

I know the whole country is getting hit with snow this winter, but here in CT we have it all the time!

But playing in it is still fun!

Especially when you can have a snowball fight with your Dad

and sled with your sister!

Meet Lucy, aka Lula, our new dog! She is a miniature beagle and we just adore her!!!

Pinkie's School Valentine's Party

2010-02-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Showing off the friendship bouquets she made!

Handing out her goodies

She has an enormous sweet tooth!

Inspecting her loot!

Playing in the box that Nana sent full of V-Day goodies!

My Girl in Pearls

2010-02-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Pink Pearls--Only $1 at the Target Dollar Spot!!!

100th Day of School

2010-02-19T07:00:00.003-05:00

To celebrate the 100th day of school, each child in Pinkie's class was asked to bring in a project centered around the theme of 100! For her project, Pinkie created a masterpiece entitled "Fish in the Ocean" --a watercolor ocean filled with 100 glued-on goldfish!

On the 100th day of school, the class had a party with three fun center activities.

First they searched for 100 items in the sand table

Next, they put 100 pieces of candy on a sheet of paper

Finally, they made a pair of eyeglasses hanging from a string of 100 Fruit Loops.

Then, of course, they indulged in lots of yummy treats!!!

Valentine's Tea

2010-02-18T07:00:00.016-05:00

Before Valentine's Day we attended a Valentine's Tea at a local historic home. The girls enjoyed wearing their pearls to the event and sipping tea out of antique china cups and saucers. They also decorated a Valentine's mailbox and indulged in cupcakes, scones, tea sandwiches and other treats. Pinkie's favorite part was putting sugar cubes in her tea!

Pasted Spaces by Matisse...and Pinkie!

2010-02-17T07:00:00.026-05:00

We have been having a lot of two hour school start delays due to the snow. This means that Pinkie is just trolling around the house in the mornings looking for things to do! Recently, during the second delayed start of the week we made this fun art project from Family Fun Magazine and she had a BALL!

Pasted Spaces

Art teacher Marion Abrams knows a masterpiece when she sees one: her young students create them every day at her summer art camps. But to teach the campers about world-famous masterpieces, Marion has devised projects in the styles of three great artists — Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat. The simple techniques, such as painting with clay or creating a room from paper, promise lots of hands-on fun. And as you'll see, the results are so satisfying that your kids may just want to make an oeuvre of their own.

Matisse loved bold colors, patterns, and shapes, and his work is often a crazy mash-up of them. "This project lets kids create a collage of fun images without worrying about whether the pieces match," Marion says. To fashion a room in the audacious style of Matisse, "build" walls and a floor out of paper — it creates the appearance of depth in a two-dimensional room — then glue on inhabitants and decor.

Artist Statement: Lucy Greto, age 12

"I loved flipping through magazines to find things for this collage. When I found the dogs, I knew they'd be great!"

About Matisse

Called the Master of Color, Matisse caught the world's attention in the early 1900s with a bold painting style critics called Fauvism, after fauve, or "wild beast." The French artist's works, such as "Woman in a Purple Coat" and "Open Window, Collioure," can be slightly fantastical, and young artists may be drawn to his playful sensibility. Toward the end of his life, Matisse's health was failing, and he was unable to paint. He turned to making paper collages — or "painting with scissors," as he called it. Like his earlier works, these collages are veritable circuses of shape and color. Matisse painted "Women With Couch" (shown here) in 1921.

Materials

Glue stick
Patterned paper, such as wallpaper samples or scrapbooking paper

Cardboard or foam core
Catalogs and magazines

Instructions

To make the walls, glue two contrasting pieces of patterned paper to the board, side by side.
Cut a floor shape, as shown, lining up a corner with where the walls meet. Glue it in place.
From catalogs and magazines, cut pictures of windows, furniture, people, and decorations, choosing items of similar scale.
Arrange the images in the room and glue them in place.

Here is Pinkie's masterpiece! She really got into it--the cutting, the placing of the pieces, she even came up with a back story complete with inhabitants of the room, what the outside of the house looks like, etc. What a great way to pass a snowy morning!

Bon Mardi Gras

2010-02-16T16:57:00.000-05:00

Zulu rolls Mardi Gras morning

Laissez le bon temps rouler!!!

Check out the Zulu Queen at :55--beautiful!

Too bad I am here in CT stuck in a snowstorm & not on St. Charles.

(Me? Bitter? Why do you ask?!)

Day 5--Universal Studios

2010-02-16T07:00:00.005-05:00

Day 4--Animal Kingdom and Nationals

2010-02-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Pink zebra print bows for luck

Ready to take the mat!

After the competition--the girls placed THIRD IN THE NATION!

Day 3--Pinkie's Bday at Epcot & Curling Party

2010-02-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lunch with the Princesses in Norway

Time to curl the cheerleader's hair for the competition the next day!

Wow--the cheerleaders can put away some pizza!

Out to dinner before going to bed early to rest up for the competition

Day Two--Bippity Boppity Boutique, Downtown Disney, and Hollywood Studios

2010-02-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Don't you just love how she chose blonde extensions?!!

Cookie and her best friend, C, drove in to join us!!!

Sisters!

The highlight of the day--dinner at Cinderella's Castle, where Cinderella "recognized" Pinkie (Cinderella is a friend of Cookie's--shhhh!)

Day One--Magic Kingdom

2010-02-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sunshine Award & The Over the Top Award

2010-02-09T13:12:00.004-05:00

My sweet friend, Bevy, over at It's a Golden Day has gifted me with The Sunshine Award!!! This award is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. The Over the Top Award was given to me by my sweet, new friend, Kitchen Bellicious (check out her amazing recipes!). Awww, so sweet!!! Now it is my turn to pass these awards on to some of my blog besties!

Biscuits are Never Boring

One Fabulous Mom

Hoots Mom

Seersucker Scrapper

The rules, once this award is received, are as follows:
1. Post the logo on blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees' blogs so others can get to know them.
4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from.

(P.S. I might be a little of a slacker in regards to #4 so if you see your name here before I can visit your blog, please "grab" your award!

Our Orlando Trip

2010-02-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I never posted about our trip to Orlando for the National Cheer Competition. So, over the next fews days, I will be posting some of the highlights of our trip!

Kiss Your Babies

2010-02-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

Because in a blink of an eye they will go from this

to this

Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Dem Saints!?!

2010-02-07T21:57:00.000-05:00

Black & Gold in the Super Bowl!!!

2010-02-07T09:36:00.002-05:00

Friendship Blossoms

2010-02-06T15:34:00.000-05:00

I am loving this month's issue of Family Fun Magazine. Pinkie and I wanted to do something different for her school Valentine's this year and when we saw this craft in Family Fun we knew it was just what we were looking for!

Friendship Blossoms

Here, two classic Valentine's Day gifts — flowers and candy — combine to make one sweet treat.

Materials

Scrapbooking paper or card stock
Scissors

Lollipops
Tape

Instructions

For each, cut three heart-shaped petals, two leaves, and two flower centers from scrapbooking paper or card stock.
Poke a small hole in each, crease the petals as shown, and slide the pieces onto a lollipop stem. Tape the bottom to secure.

More messages:
You're a sweet heart
Our friendship is blooming
Be my bud-dy

Here is Pinkie's Creation:

Decorating with Burlap

2010-02-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Last week I did a post featuring a burlap pillow I made and promised to do another post on decorating with burlap. Let me just say, I love burlap. It has a great texture and is really very inexpensive. It comes in many colors and can be used in both traditional and more modern decor.

The above picture shows a green burlap-skirted table in our family room that started it's life in the dining room of our house in Ohio. After being married for ten years and still having no dining room furniture, I woke up one day and I decided to get creative. I had this gorgeous house with a big empty room that was visible to anyone who walked into our front door! Quelle Horreur! So, armed with an article my mother had saved from an old Southern Living Magazine, I got to work. Originally, the sideboard started out as two cinder block "towers" topped by a piece of MDF. I also placed two MDF "shelves" below the topper to create a space to store serving platters and trays. I knew I could make a fabric cover for this new makeshift sideboard, but after going to the fabric store and looking at home decor fabric I came home very depressed. Everything I saw was at least $15.99 a yard and I needed quite a bit of yardage--this definitely did not fit into my budget! After putting on my thinking cap, it dawned on me that I could use burlap and at several dollars a yard (and with a coupon!) I was able to score the yardage I needed for less than $50!

Even though sewing with burlap can get kind of messy, I loved the end result and even decided to add some fringe and a scarf topper to dress it up a little. This table served as my dinging room sideboard until I was eventually able to purchase the antique sideboard of my dreams. Even still, this "sideboard" is one of my favorite pieces of furniture. Several years ago, my sweet husband got rid of the cinder blocks and MDF that I originally used to build my sideboard and built me something more sturdy. We moved from Ohio to Nashville and the sideboard lived in our foyer. In this house, it resides in our family room where it still stores serving pieces and even hides a small wine fridge!

And even though this piece is probably one of the least expensive pieces of furniture we own, it looks like a million dollars!

What It Means to be a Christian

2010-02-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to share this little ditty with you because it really spoke to me. I live in an area where Christianity is not celebrated. People often wonder why I am a Christian and just what this means. I feel the eyes of judgement on me, watching and waiting for me to make a mistake so that they can make themselves feel better by telling themselves that I am just a hypocrite. No, I am not perfect, but He loves me.

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.

I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Who Dat Feast

2010-02-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

What are you eating while you watch the Saints whop up on the Colts in Sunday's Super Bowl? Here are some Louisiana favorites you can make in the crock pot ahead of time so while the game is on you can join the Who Dat Nation in front of your television instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Crockpot Jambalaya

1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into 1"chunks
1 lb smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1"thick slices
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 medium onion
1green bell pepper, seeded, chopped
1 c chicken broth
1/2 c white wine
2 t oregano
2 t dried parsley flakes
2 t Cajun Seasoning (Tony Chachere's is, in my opinion, the only way to go. Slap Your Mama will do in a pinch.)
1 lb medium shrimp, cooked
2 c cooked rice

Combine all ingredients except shrimp and rice in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, add shrimp and rice and heat through.

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

1 lb dried red beans
7 c water
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 med onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 pound andouille sausage, sliced (sub Polish Kielbasa if need be)
3 T Creole Seasoning (Tony's)
Hot cooked rice
Garnish:sliced green onions

Place first 8 ingredients in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on high for 7 hours or until beans are tender. Serve with hot cooked rice. Garnish, if desired.

Runway Birthday Party

2010-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Pinkie attended a birthday party at a local store called The Runway Shoppe. The little girls got their nails and makeup done, then got to choose an outfit from the store's dress-up collection. I absolutely love the get-up Pinkie chose! After they were all decked out in the finery of their choice, they put on a fashion show by walking the store's runway. Too cute!

Manners

2010-02-01T07:00:00.009-05:00

Growing up in the South, manners were always very important. Thanks to the conscientiousness of my dear mother I am fairly certain that I can quote Emily Post line and verse. As my mother always said, when I have dinner with the queen I will know what to do!

Etiquette and table manners and graciousness and hospitality will always be important in my life and as mother did, and my mother's mother before her did, I impress this upon my children daily.

And this is all well and good and gentile and civilized. However, I think the world (myself included) often times overlooks the fact that manners are so much more than what fork to use, saying please and thank you, putting our napkin in our laps, etc. As my idol, the phenomenal Julia Sugarbaker (of Designing Women fame) once said, manners are there to put others at ease not to accentuate their flaws. We can impress others with our table manners, but what will it matter if we leave them feeling belittled and judged?

I love Julia Sugarbaker because she has class, charm, and manners. She is independent, caring and loving. She stands up for her beliefs, her family and her friends. She isn't afraid to apologize when she is wrong. And she never allows others to mistreat her or those she loves. In my eyes, she is the quintessential Southern Belle and a true lady.

Turns out many other greats agree with Julia. Here are their words:

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.--Emily Post

The test of good manners is to be able to put up pleasantly with bad ones.--Wendell L. Willkie

Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred in the room.--Jonathan Swift

Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners.--H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person.--Mark Twain

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.--John Cassis

I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.--Maya Angelou

Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.--Dr Seuss

In the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. You have to be exactly who and what you want to be. Most everyone is floating along on phony public relations. People who say being beautiful, or rich or thin makes them happy — people who are trying to make their marriages and their children seem better than they actually are.... and for what?! Appearances. Appearances don't count for diddly! In the end, all that really matters is what was true, and truly said, and how we treated one another. And that's it.--Julia S.

Thanks, Julia, I needed to hear that. Because, when it's all said and done, I want to be remembered for treating others well. The End.

The 80s Are Back!!!

2010-01-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

Remember wearing these woven barrettes in the 80s?! I used to LOVE my ribbon barrettes so imagine my surprise when I opened the latest issue of Family Fun Magazine and saw directions on how to recreate this look! I may just have to make some for the girls for old times sake!

Materials

1 yard each of 2 colors of 1/8-inch satin ribbon

Double-bar barrette

Instructions

Stack the ribbons, one atop the other; you'll be treating the two pieces as one double-sided piece from now on. Slide the ribbon into the bend of the barrette. Center the barrette in the middle of the ribbon.
Bring one end of the ribbon over one bar of the barrette and under the second.
Do the same with the other ribbon end. Keep braiding, alternating the ribbon ends, until the entire barrette is covered. To finish, thread one end of the ribbon tightly through the barrette so that all of the ribbon is on the same edge. Knot the ribbon and leave the excess to hang.

Purple Shoes

2010-01-31T07:40:00.000-05:00

The other day Pinkie had a friend over and they decided to play dress-up. They asked me to get down the basket of dress-up shoes from the play room closet and all the old dyed-to-match peau-de-soie dress shoes that I wore to dances, etc. in high school and college tumbled down. It was my mother's smart idea to save them for her future grand daughters to play dress-up in and I am so glad she did--the girls love them and me? They just crack me up! Here is Miss Priss modeling the pair of purple (yes, you heard me correctly) heels that I wore to Senior Prom.

I also had a pink pair, a navy pair, a black pair, a white pair, an aquamarine pair--all those lovely 80s colors!

P.S. Look at the way Miss Priss' feet are positioned in the above pic? Does anyone else stand this way in pictures? Somewhere along the way someone taught me to stand like this in photographs (something about looking lady-like and elegant) and today I taught Miss Priss to stand this way too. She thought I was crazy. I wish I could remember where I learned this. An etiquette class, maybe?

Miss America

2010-01-30T07:53:00.034-05:00

“THERE’S NOTHING BETTER IN LIFE THAN RIDING AROUND ON
THE BACK OF A CONVERTIBLE WITH A CROWN ON YOUR HEAD.”
*~* Delta Burke *~*
Designing Women - 1990

Tonight is the Miss America Pageant! Growing up a little girl in the South, watching the Miss America pageant was always a big deal. I can remember sitting in front of the TV with a big bowl of popcorn and a note pad, tallying up the score of my favorite contestant.

Years later, when we lived in Nashville, I used to take Pinkie to a gym class where I met another mother and we struck up a friendship. The first thing I noticed about this woman was how absolutely stunning she was. Eventually I came to learn that this beauty was so much more than another pretty face.

As we got to know each other never once did she mention anything about being a beauty queen. So, imagine my surprise when I went over to her home for the first time and noticed a huge SPARKLING tiara just a settin' on one of the shelves of the built-ins in her family room.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "WHAT is THAT?!" I gasped.

"Oh, that?" she replied, very nonchalantly. "That is my Miss Mississippi crown."

"Your what?" I screamed.

"My Miss Mississippi crown," she repeated.

I about feel down dead. Here I was standing next to Miss Mississippi 1980-something and she was acting like it was NO BIG DEAL. I mean, I am standing in the presence of ROYALTY and said queen is not even batting an eyelash!

We got to talking about her tenure as Mississippi's "highest elected official" as well as her appearance in the Miss America pageant and after a while, it all made sense. Sure she looked back on her time as Miss Mississippi with great fondness, but it did not define her. Yes, for one year in her young life she was royalty, but every single solitary day she wakes up she is the daughter of our one true King, Jesus Christ. I told you, this lady is exceptional.

But, truth be told, the Miss Mississippi thing? It impresses me!

Another thing that impresses me about my dear, sweet friend is her pound cake, lol! Girl makes THE MOST DIVINE pound cake. In honor of her and her beauty, both pyhiscal and spiritual, I am posting her recipe!

Miss Mississippi's Pound Cake

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

3 sticks butter, softened

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups flour

pinch of salt

2t. vanilla (or lemon) extract

Beat cream cheese & butter at medium speed until creamy. Add sugar, beat until light & fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each. Add flour, salt, and vanilla extract, beat 2 minutes. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan. Place in a cool oven. Bake at 300 for 1.5 hours. Serve warm.

Pink and Green Ribbon at Costco

2010-01-29T07:34:00.000-05:00

Do you know about Costco's ribbon?! If not, let me tell you--Costco sells 50 yard spools of ribbon for like $6, seriously! Look at this great pink and green ribbon I scored today--100 yards of pure-d pretty!

I also picked up this precious pink ribbon with glittery pink crowns on it! Perfect for the PG&S Princesses!

Raise Your Hand

2010-01-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

if you think there is a special place in hell reserved for

Speaking of hell, maybe Edwards should save

a seat by the fire.

No, Tim, Nooooo

2010-01-28T08:03:00.001-05:00

Have you seen Tim McGraw's latest look?! Ugh, I hate it!!! Not to worry though; it's only temporary--shew! He grew it for an upcoming movie that he will star in with Gwyneth Paltrow. I still wouldn't turn him down if he came a-knocking on my door, but just between you and me, I don't think he can shave it off fast enough! At least he hasn't gone all Brad Pitt on us and put rubberbands in it. Have you seen that fool lately? Grodee.

Keep Calm and Carry On Pillow

2010-01-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

When I posted my tote bags the other day my sweet friend over at Pink Cashmere Cardigan left a comment saying she wanted to make a pillow with the Keep Calm and Carry On saying. What a great idea, I thought! So last night I found an old scrap of burlap (LOVE burlap; look for a post on decorating with burlap coming soon!) and a pillow form and made a sweet little pillow to go in the window seat in our breakfast room. I absolutely adore it!

Burlap is quite inexpensive and sewing a pillow is one of the easiest things you can do making this a fast and economical project--my favorite kind! Just don't wear black when sewing with burlap--it sheds worse than a cat and will end up all over you!

Valentine's Candy Bar

2010-01-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Our Valentine's Day candy bar is up!!! Now, if I could just keep my husband out of the peanut M&Ms...

Tote Bags

2010-01-26T09:00:00.002-05:00

This week at MOPS we are decorating our own tote bags. Pictured are two examples that I made to show the group (doesn't the silhouette look like Pinkie?!). I love that you can completely customize your own bags to tote around groceries, library books, Bible Study supplies, knitting, etc. Simply purchase a tote bag (ours are from Oriental Trading, Dharma Trading is another good source), search the web for a graphic that you love (check out The Graphics Fairy!) and then buy iron-on transfer paper for your printer and follow the enclosed directions--it's as simple as that!

WHO DAT!!!

2010-01-25T17:30:00.004-05:00

Tracy Neghosian

2010-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of Tracy Neghosian?! I had never heard of her until my mother gave me one of her dresses for Christmas. Tracy is a Florida based desinger who, according to her website, "has achieved her goal of designing excellent quality garments similar to Lilly Pulitzer and Tory Burch, yet at only 1/3 the cost of their clothing lines."

This is the dress that I have and I most say I LOVE IT!

Head over to Tracy's website to see the rest of her lovely dresses
and tunics

and to see where her designs are sold near you!