Truth Be Told

I apologize I haven't been on top of blogging lately. I'm still evaluating whether I'm spreading myself too thin by being involved with so much in addition to my daily job (AtoI, DG Recruitment, JA, to name a few). I may be taking a break from the blog for a while since my husband, friends, extended family, and home are not getting the TLC they deserve. If you've called or e-mailed and I have not responded, please try again. I truly do appreciate them. It's the e-mails, comments, phone calls, and cards that inspire me to keep this thing going!


Mississippi State & Ole Miss Delta Gamma Officers and Advisers


While I'm still compiling all of my pictures from Convention, I thought I would fill you in on what's been going on and why this blog has not been a priority...

- Our church's VBS was last week. The theme was Power Lab and I was a Crew Leader for the pre-schoolers. It was the cheapest form of birth control yet!
- Hubby bought a Honda Accord and has decided to park his SUV for a while. That makes four cars for two people. We look like a used car lot!
- Hubby won his appeal! We celebrated last night at Old Venice with the attorney that had the case before him.
- My job it tough these days! The furniture industry is struggling. I may be looking to get into something else soon. Anyone know of any job opportunities that would be fun while using my creativity???
- I'm helping one of my college friends, get her china & gift shop, The Square Cupboard, ready for the Grand Opening on July 26. We're really excited that she'll be carrying paper products by Address to Impress, our line of stationery & invitations. If you're ever near Hernando, stop by!
- Jennifer, my stationery business partner, and I have plans to attend the Atlanta Gift Market next weekend. We will be evaluating whether or not to attend next year as an exhibitor. Exciting but nerve racking at the same time. If we decide to take the challenge, we're really going to need your support!

I'm sure there's plenty more I'm forgetting but I've committed myself to helping Jamie complete The Square Cupboard's window display in time for the 4th of July festivities.

I hope you have a safe 4th of July!!!

All Volunteery Eyed

Alright, I just may be in over my head. I've got entirely too much on my plate right now. If you haven't heard from me, I'm still alive and not ignoring you. I've just got A LOT going on!
It's officially Wednesday now and I haven't slept a wink, yet. I'm hoping to get in bed after I fold the last load of clean clothes. I'm half packed for my flight to Palm Springs, which leaves in about 8 hours (9 am).

I would have gotten in bed at a decent hour if I didn't have a 2 and a half hour JA meeting tonight. Yep, my first one that I've made it to. Let me just say... provisional = pledge. I swear it's just like a sorority, only worse. You pay dues, volunteer a bazillion hours, and there's not even a swap or formal to look forward to!

Speaking of sorority & volunteer, I'm off to learn some new rah-rah recruitment tips and to pick up a few awards at Convention. Yes, I'm doing the whole Recruitment Advisor thing again in August. So contact me if you know any great girls that just graduated from high school and are going through Rush at Mississippi State.

I'll be back next week...

Summer Swap

S- Seersucker Belt by lulu belle bags

U- Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock by Neutrogena

M- Madras Handbag by lulu belle bags

M- Monogrammed Beach Towel

E- Essie Enamel Nail Polish- Essential Color Mademoiselle

R- Recipes- Summer Favorites


Many, many thanks to Heather from Life with Lulu for her fabulous Summer Swap package! Heather is the mom of three precious girls and is a very creative handbag designer. Imagine my surprise when I received this large box of goodies after being away on business for so long. The gifts were to have a summer theme and boy did she put thought into her items. From the seersucker belt to the madras handbag, to the sunblock and beach towel, she really outdid herself. And thanks to her, I'm all set for summer now. If any of these items are an indication of her personal taste, then I know we would be dangerous shopping together. I absolutely loved it all! It's hard to pick a favorite item but I'll leave you with one of the recipes she sent that Hubby and I can't wait to try...


Skip and Go Naked

1 container of frozen limeaid

1 limeaid container filled with vodka

3 beers

Pour over ice in a pitcher, mix or shake... serve over ice!

Best beach drink EVER! - Heather

Rowdy Frynds Recap

All our rowdy friends have not settled down!

This past Friday we went with eight of our friends to the Forum to see Hank Williams, Jr. And Lynyrd Skynyrd was a bonus. For those of you who attended, you know how exciting it was. For those of you who didn’t, you definitely missed out. The pictures above don't really do the night justice. Yes, it was that much fun!

Russell's Memorial Weekend

Hubby and one of his best friends, Greg Ochs, had a much more adventurous Memorial Weekend. They hiked the Grand Canyon! My only request was that he take plenty of pictures. He did take a good number of them but they were all on Kodak disposable cameras since he broke his father's digital camera at the BEGINNING of the trip. Typical. Yes, those are snowflakes you see in some of them. Apparently, it was snowing at the top when they started so the visibility was not the greatest. They were also able to fly fish on the Colorado River since they hiked with their poles. It appears he had a great time without me!

I tried to get him to guest blog about the trip but for some reason he has prioritized jury trials & depositions over my blog.

Note: I apologize for the quality of the pictures. It will help to click on the collage to make them larger.

Hillary's Memorial Weekend

The Memorial Weekend was great, mainly because Megan came to visit me from Ohio! Thursday consisted of two trips to the aiport (one to drop off Hubby and another to pick up Meggy), a drive by Graceland, Meg's first taste of soul food, cocktails at the Peabody, lots of shopping, and pedicures. On Friday we hit the road early towards Orange Beach for Kassi & Marc's rehearsal dinner and wedding...


Best wishes, Kassi & Marc Rushing!

PS- Meg, only 1 week and we'll be poolside in Palm Springs together...

Roll Call!

I desperately need to update my blogroll. I've been meaning to do this for a while now but I keep procrastinating. I figure I'll use this as an excuse to buy me some time until I find a moment to post the new pictures you've been so patiently awaiting. If I don't have you on my current list to the right and you would like to be, please leave me a comment! Also, if you're listed and you'd prefer not to be then let me know that as well so I can remove the link. Even if you're a lurker and I've never personally met you, I'd love to add your blog to the list so my friends and I can get to know you.

Note: This is a great way to increase traffic on your blog and make new friends!

Rough (week) & Rowdy (night)

I just got back in town. I've been on business for the past week in High Point, NC showing my new fabric line. It looks great! All I ask is that you all go out and buy some type of furniture. Our industry is really hurting these days.

I apologize if you have e-mailed, commented, etc and I have not responded. I have a lot on my plate at the moment and I hope to play catch-up this weekend. I still owe you picutres of Hubby's big hike, Kassi's wedding, and Megan's visit over Memorial Day Weekend. However, I'm currently busy with the following this month... Showtime in Tupelo, VBS, JA meetings, DG Convention, MSU Recruitment, and the list goes on!


Tonight we have tickets with about a dozen of our friends to see Hank Williams, Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd on their "Rowdy Frynds" tour in Memphis. Who knows, I might have a few pics to show you just how redneck we are in Mississippi!

Material Girl

I'm still here "wining & dining" my customers. Sorry for the delay in posts! I should be back at it next week, if not sooner.

Safe and Sound

I just spoke to Hubby on the phone. He made it safely out of the Canyon. I wish I could say the same about his father's digital camera. I tried to tell him to take our's since it was already broken but oh no, he had to go off and break another one. Now I'm just that much farther from getting my dream camera.

Memorial Weekend

Happy Memorial Day! Meg and I got back late last night from the beach... the weather was beautiful! I'll try to post pics of Kassi's wedding before I go out of town for business this week.

Hubby arrived safely at the Canyon. The last time I spoke to him was at noon on Friday. I won't speak to him again until he completes the hike, hopefully early Tuesday morning. Please keep him and Greg in your prayers. It's been so hard not talking to him!

We're off to Beauty Shop for lunch and then I have to drop Megan off at the airport. So sad. I just wish she would move to the South!

Wedding Advisory

I'll be at the beach for Kassi & Mark's wedding all weekend. Cross your fingers that the camera works!

Trip Out

Geez, you'd think Hubby was joining the Marines. He got a buzz cut and he's put himself in boot camp with daily marathons and lunges. Tomorrow morning he's off to hike the #1 wonder of the West.

Pictures to come if he makes it! Maybe I can convince him to guest blog for the first time.



On another note, we helped uncover the family's pool on Sunday. Bailey was in Heaven! That girl loves the water. She even started fetching off of the diving board. It wasn't easy but I managed to capture a few shots of her.

Note: Cousin Sophie prefers to watch from the sidelines!

Out of the Blue

My postings are getting a little out of order here. The collage pictures were actually taken on the Thursday and Friday nights prior to Stacey and Ray's wedding.

Jade, Mollie Walker, Me, Stacey, and Kelly at my rehearsal dinner in November of 2006

So I've been catching a lot of slack for not posting lately. I must admit that I've been a bit bummed and "uninspired", if you will. I actually lost 99% of my pictures from Stacey's wedding. Something to do with the memory card. It must be this piece of junk that I'm using. Hubby, I still NEED a Canon Rebel or Nikon D40! Anywho, I was also a little blue about Kelly going back to DC, Stacey being on her honeymoon, and Jade, Mollie, and I returning to our different hometowns. I know it sounds ridiculous but I miss all of us being in one location. Why can't we all still live in the sorority house but with our Hubbys too? Okay, so now you know the reason for lack of blogging.


Phil, since I know you're my faithful reader in DC, this one's for you...

As planned, I picked Kelly and Phil up from the airport and we headed downtown to meet Russell for dinner at Rendezvous. The pictures tell it all. We weren't ready to go home after dinner so we headed to Silky's on Beale St. for a few drinks and laughs. I should note that Kelly Kirk is one of the most outgoing people I know. If you don't know my great friend, Kelly, you're missing out. She hasn't changed a bit since college. If anything, DC has given her energy. She is hilarious and still so much fun to be around! The whole weekend was filled with firsts for Phil- Rendezvous ribs, Beale Street, Silky's divers, and boiled crawfish to name a few. I think he's getting pretty good at the Mississippi weddings by now, after attending our's, Mollie & Gere's, and Stacey & Ray's!


It was so great to get to hang out with all of my college girlfriends during the weekend festivities. Pictures above are a combination of the Bridesmaid's Luncheon at IV's and the rehearsal dinner at Park Heights in Tupelo.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Ray Carter...

We were honored to be a part of Stacey and Ray's wedding over Mother's Day weekend. Stacey has been my best friend since our first days in college.

The whole wedding was sweet and incredibly sophisticated, just like Stacey. She was as beautiful as they come. Simply stunning, to be exact. Ray was so sweet during the ceremony. Just thinking about it makes me get teary-eyed and smile.

If you don't know Stacey, she's even more beautiful on the inside. She is the most genuine person I know. Hubby's the second. I mean, who else has sixteen bridesmaids that they truly keep in touch with?

Highlights of the reception include Colonel Reb crashing the party, Note: Stacey's side is a fan of bulldogs, and a tornado that shut down the band and left us partying in the ladies' locker room at the Country Club. Despite a few kinks in the schedule, the whole weekend was the perfect combination of fun.

Best wishes you two! I can't wait to see the pictures from Maui.

PS- I started your family blog for you. You're married, so it's vow or never!

Shampowder Giveaway Winner

A name was drawn for the Shampowder giveaway and it was.... drum roll please.... SOME LIKE IT SOUTHERN!!
Woo Hoo!! I figure she is a product loving gal like myself so she should be thrilled to have won.

I used RANDOM.ORG
Random Sequence Generator
Here is your sequence:
12
13
15
1
16

Hump Day

I'm off to pick up this book that came out yesterday. I can't wait to get my hands on it! I thought for sure that Hubby would have suprised me with a copy since it's been on the google calendar for months now. He claims he didn't see it.

Hmm, I guess I don't notice the dirty clothes in the hamper either.

Edited to add: Good thing I bought the book myself, 'cause Hubby sure didn't have it again this evening when he arrived home from work. This book better be worth the wait! I've delayed reading the book below since I had just started it two days ago.


Lastly, does anyone want to trade or swap for Remember Me? I really liked it, by the way. It's a hardback and in perfect condition. I'm not really one to keep books since I know I'll never read them again. Does anyone have a good chic lit that's fairly new that you want to trade? Just leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail!

Shampowder by Buttercream Cosmetics Giveaway!

Guess what showed up in my mailbox this week?

The original Shampowder by Buttercream Cosmetics!

Jayne Polan, the creator of Shampowder, contacted me last week after reading my post about this other hair refresher. She asked me if I was interested in trying Shampowder. I said sure! But not without asking her for a complimentary hair powder for my readers. You all know that I'm a product junkie and it appears that several of you are too.

Well, I'm happy to say that Shampowder is every bit as good as the other dry shampoo I've tried. Additional benefits of the Shampowder include...

• Convenient brush applicator- delivers the perfect amount of powder exactly where you want it



• Pigmented mineral powder that blends naturally with a variety of hair colors



• Compact, take-anywhere design fits into any makeup bag or purse



• Best of all, it's less expensive. At $15.99, it's nearly half the price of other hair refreshers!

The vanilla-scented powder comes in two shades for dark/red hair and light hair and blends nicely into an array of hair colors. Other hair refreshers are only available in one shade- baby powder white! Which often leaves me looking gray.


Shampowder allows you to have freedom between hair washings. It's perfectly sized for travel or at-home use. Ideal for working moms! Freshen up for lunch meetings, after the gym- anytime you're crunched for time.

Still not convinced that Shampowder works? Check out Jayne Polan's TV spot on QVC just yesterday during their Beauty Beat.

You can buy Shampowder here at their site or through QVC.

Oh, and if you're interested in winning a Shampowder, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite hair product. Who knows, I may just have to try it!

Note: The giveaway includes a Shampowder for Dark Hair/Red Hair.

Altar'd State of Mind

I'm in wedding mode this week. No, Hubby and I aren't renewing our vows just yet!

For my best friend, Stacey...

She's marrying this cutie on Saturday!

So I'm off to Tupelo to help with some last minute wedding preparations.

I've been anticipating this weekend for a long time now. 'Just counting down the days until all of my college best friends will be back together again.

I'm picking up Kelly & Phil at the airport tomorrow and then we're headed downtown to eat at the Rendezvous. This will be Phil's first time to Memphis so we've got to show him around before we head to Tupelo on Friday.

I'll be back next week with plenty of pictures....

Margarita Monday

We had a great Cinco de Mayo with Will & Lee and Joey & Leah!


The guys played Bocce Ball while the girls gossiped.

Bailey loved the company but had a hard time staying when they threw the balls. She just wanted to play fetch!

We had too much food... margaritas, Coronas, seven layer dip, fresh guacamole, steak & chicken fajitas, margarita cheesecake, and sugar cookies that looked like tacos (and tasted like Double Doozies)!

Weird Weather

We're currently hiding out in the bedroom together watching the news. It doesn't look like Bailey's going to come out from under the bed to go get in the closet with me. It's hailing as I type this. Supposedly a tornado is coming through and heading downtown Memphis towards Hubby.

Check Us Out

We've added some specials and are hosting a giveaway here.

Friday's Find

I found this mirror and I'm trying to convince Hubby that we need it. I'd say it's about 7 feet tall.

I've been thinking, Mother's Day is coming up and I am a pretty good caretaker for Bailey Girl. I'm just not so sure that will fly with Hubby.

Maybe if y'all comment on here telling me how much I need it, he'll think it's a good deal!

Life's A Beach

It's 80 degrees and sunny today. Oh, how I wish I was at the beach right now.

Instead, we added the above beach house design in an attempt to hold us over until we can get there. I'm swamped with orders but I'll be back to posting soon!

Out of the Closet

Okay, I'm coming out of the closet. I have a confession to make.

I have forced Hubby to share this walk-in closet with me for the past year...

(180 degree view from left to right)

Is that ridiculous or what???

I know, I know. I should be ashamed.

Now, don't go criticizing. Just because I'm not "neat" doesn't mean I'm not "organized." I always have stuff strewn all over the place but I know where everything is. So do many other entrepreneurs, salespeople, and creative people. A lot of us are the "out of sight, out of mind" type of people. That's why I like to have little organized piles all over the house.

I decided I would just dive in and start dragging it out into the bathroom & bedroom (on the bed, floors, etc.). I figured this would force me to go through it all before my parents come in town this weekend.

So, I took a trip to Garden Ridge for the baskets and a second dirty clothes hamper. I like to separate my colors from my whites for quicker washing.

And here are the results:


Okay, so I know it's not color coordinated or anything like that but I'm just too busy trying to sell fabric and design paper products to worry with all of that. Hubby's just glad you can actually see the floors and walk-in the closet!

Lastly, what should I do with all of this stuff? The majority of it is NOT junk. It's either too small to wear or not "In Style".

Should I have a yard sale? I've never personally had one but my experience with them is that people expect you to just give it away. If that's the case, I would just as soon donate it to GoodWill.

Do any of you have any experience of selling on E-bay? I've bought on there plenty of times but I've never sold anything. Any tips or suggestions?