The One About The Red Queen

Just so you know...

this is out now. You can get it on Amazon right here. I kind of forgot about it until Emmy reminded me. I guess I wasn't talking about it enough to get another giveaway. I guess it's also possible that the sweet lady who let me do it last time realized I'm not getting tons of traffic - and everyone who signed up for the giveaway also has my cell phone number. VERY much unlike the giveaway I participate in yesterday for Frye boots that resulted in 4,843 comments. I didn't win.

Sorry friends. Go check it out anyway.

The One About A Few Things

WOW. The lack of blogging is getting out of control. I really apologize to all of you people who are hanging on my every word (Mom).

Just to keep you updated.

1. Two of my best friends ever are getting married!! WHAT? When did we grow up? Sara Emily got engaged a REALLY long time ago (June), but with the lack of blogging I'm not sure I ever mentioned it - and Taylor got engaged on Friday!

2. I wish Birmingham's J.Crew was as big as Northpark's and involved the "party" dresses, all of the handbags and more bathing suits. Random thought.

3. The last couple of weekends we've gone to a bar called Bourbon Street and afterward it takes two shampoos for my hair to stop smelling like cigarettes. WHY do people purposefully subject themselves to that heinousness? Ok, stepping off the soap box now...

4. I really really want a puppy.

5. We have feral cats that live in our yard and they're absolutely disgusting. Last night I had a dream I was pinned to the ground so that I couldn't move and apparently my ability to scream was gone too. A feral cat was trying to eat my face. I think I need to see a therapist.

6. I think I'm going to start cooking. I need suggestions for recipes to try. Oh, and also some lessons. I know you've heard this all before - but I think I'm serious this time. Yesterday I wrote down a list of ingredients for three meals this week. That's a start right?

The One For The Engagement Shin-Dig

One of my very best friends is getting married in February (not to be confused with my very best friend who is getting married in July - wooo hooo) so we're throwing a small get together this Saturday night. It's going to be tons of fun to get together with people I haven't seen in a while - and people who are brand new to me! Plus - it will be the first party in the new house. It's been great incentive to get our butts in gear and make it look like a legitimate place to be living.

In honor of this occasion, and the fact that I haven't blogged in about 100 years...here are a few of the things I'm hoping to include in the party planning for this weekend.

image from Once Wed, by Our Labor of Love Photography

Beautiful (and simple) floral arrangements, with burlap (is that burlap?) tablecloths. Lucky for me, my mom works at our church and is letting me tap into the chairs and tables that live there.

image from skillenlauren

Twinkle lights in trees and around the fence in our backyard. Pure magic.

image by :MPG:

Some sort of delicious sangria, margarita type thing. Something that can go in my new drink dispenser, which is not actually this gorgeous one from Pottery Barn and cost me $20 at Home Goods, maybe in my next life...

We're serving barbecue and my mom has offered to let us use her really pretty pottery as serving pieces. Score. Friends - we're going to have to take care of these!

For dessert, I'm thinking something cold and delicious. Mainly because it's been hot as blue blazes around here lately. My office door fogs up in the afternoon from all of the humidity. It's gross. Maybe something like this, or maybe this, and then this showed up in my email...YUM.

Either way, the whole night is sure to be tons of fun!!

Now...I just need to start making a playlist that will last all night. No repeats. Any suggestions?