In Remembrance

For someone who fits this description, you will be missed.  You have changed the way I think and have inspired others to do the same.

Monday's Quote of the Week: Christmas

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
  

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.  ~Oren Arnold

My Pretty Little Christmas Tree

  

Inspiration for the Day

Ice and Snow

Tomorrow I have a feeling I will need:

My Wellies

Hunter Wellington Boots

A Cowl under my coat

 

 

Twist Cowl

Apple Cider

Caramel Apple Cider

Tuesday: What I read

How can you convince me that you are a lifelong learner?  This is a question one of my supervisors in Grad School once asked me, and then followed up our conversation with this is her favorite question to ask in interviews.

I miss school.  There I said it.  You must admit it is true for you too.  No one is there to force you to get knowledge or to read.  Though, shockingly enough I have a friend whose claim to fame is that he has never finished a novel.  This pains me to think about.

I spend at least an hour of day browsing my favorite news sources for something that is interesting and informative.  I plan on sharing these with you.

Yesterday, I read the following articles, which are related to each other.

Changing the Culture War by Ross Douthat via www.nytimes.com

We Need Marriage Like We Need Yachts by Laurie Essig via www.chronicle.com

Marriage is on the decline in the United States. (You would think this based on the number of weddings I have attended in the past 2 years)  What are the social implications for this?  Well, there are too many to name.  Marriage has always been an essential part of the formula for achieving the American Dream.  I highly recommend reading both of the articles.  Culture shift ... I think so.  No longer are the college educated the liberal thinkers and no longer are the high school educated the devout religious.

On a lighter note, after watching "Winter's Bone" this weekend; which star's Louisville-native Jennifer Lawrence, I have been reading all about the Golden Globe nominees.  

Happy reading!

Pearls are a girl's best friend

While some girls prefer diamonds, I lust over pearls.  I received my first pair of pearl earrings from my grandmother as a Christmas gift when I was 18 years old.  From that moment on I have cherished them.  They have graced my ears through 2 graduations (Bellarmine and South Carolina).  They were even stolen and then recovered!(That is a story for another day)  After a professional cleaning they returned to the #1 accessory of mine.  

It is only fitting that my name's meaning is actually pearl!  

Wedding Season is Over

My first role in a wedding party was as flower girl for my cousins wedding.  I had a custom made peach dress that I wore with peach satin ballet slippers that were adorned with rosettes.  I cried at the reception because I ripped my dress.  I always wanted to look pretty.

Since then I have had just about every role you can have in a wedding as a female.  I have been a program passer-outer, a guest book attendant, a bridesmaid, and a reader.  This summer I went to my fair share of weddings.  From June - October, I attended 6 weddings and was a bridesmaid in two of them!  I must admit that this is what consumes your summer when you are 25.  There are wedding showers, bachelorette parties, bridal luncheons, engagement parties, housewarming parties, and weddings almost every weekend!

Lord knows that I can do a stand-up routine on weddings and wedding showers.  Just ask my mom or some random lady named Susan who I sat next to at a shower.


While I seem to be complaining, I must admit that I enjoy a good wedding.  I believe I found my true wedding purpose this summer as a reader.  I got more compliments on my reading than I did on the dresses I had worn for the entire week! Oh yes ... I worn some good dresses too!


I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from the weddings!

Lauren & Matt - Little Rock, AR

Ashleigh & Trey - Indianapolis, IN

Adrienne & Matt - Indianapolis, IN

Anne & Andrew - Louisville, KY

Jenn & Pat - Owensboro, KY

Kelly & Pete - Louisville, KY

Well folks, that is all for this year!  On to next year and I already need to go get fitted for another bridesmaid's dress!

The Giant Cupcake

This weekend I was the hosted a baby shower with one of my friends.  I found this occasion the perfect opportunity to use my Giant Cupcake Pan by Wilton.  I am embarrassed to say that this was the first time I used the pan since I received it as a Christmas gift.  I must say that it was easy to use and decorate.

I have been a fan of cupcakes all of my life.  In fact, I recall taking cupcakes in ice cream cones as my birthday treat to my kindergarten class.  

Here are some pictures of my first giant cupcake:

Fabulous Fall Finds

Fall is creeping up on us and it is time to pull out the fall decorations!  Growing up in a Southern household makes me believe that I was born to entertain, party plan, and decorate for any occasion.  Here are a few of my fall favorites:

1. My Caramel Apple Maker-  I must admit that when my dad gave me this as a gift I was slightly disappointed.  I thought I would never use it, but I was definitely wrong!  Many o' apples have been dipped and enjoyed due to my caramel apple maker!

Yummy Caramel Apples

2.  Halloween Trivet - This adorable Halloween Trivet is only $3!!!!  Even better news it is available through the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!!!  Make sure to pick up a few here.

3. Boo Y'all Ghost Sign-  How adorable is this?!  I would love to hang this on my apartment door; however, I would be fearful it might not be there the next day!  You can find it here.

Monday's Quote of the Week: Success

After seeing The Social Network, I have been inspired to share some quotes about success.  The movie followed the success of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, as he navigated 2 lawsuits.  I was happy to see all of the college references in the movie including the original facebooks of residential colleges and the prestigious clubs at Ivy League Institutions.  If you have not seen it yet, I highly suggest doing so (especially if you are a facebook user!).

Here are some quotes:

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes."  ~Benjamin Disraeli 

“All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.” - Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children's Hospital and actor

“A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” - John Maxwell

 

Where Good Ideas Come From

Monday's Quote of the Week: Fall

For the first time since early May, I have had goosebumps when walking outside.  I must say it is about time.  After having one of the hottest summers, I am ready for the crisp air of fall.  On Friday morning, I had my first cup of Caramel Apple Cider for the season!


Here are some quotes!

Bittersweet October.  The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.  ~Carol Bishop Hipps


Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot


Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence 

This is your Carolina

I thought this was a powerful video that the University of South Carolina created for its annual giving campaign.  I am rather impressed and thought I should share. 

Monday's Quote of the Week: Travel

Monday I was traveling for the university for which I work.  This weekend I will be traveling for my friend's wedding.  In turn, I am thinking about how I need a vacation.  This has brought me to establish my thoughts for the week to be about traveling.   


Here are some quotes:

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine


I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.  ~Lillian Smith


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.  ~Mark Twain

http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/collections/travelandtour.html

I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.  ~George Bernard Shaw



I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine.  ~Caskie Stinnett



A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly.  ~Lemony Snicket 

Photo Friday: Let's Go Redlegs!

Great American Ballpark

My Inner Geek

Deep down inside I love all things about education.  I love to research, read, and study about educational policy, performance, finance, trends, and much, much more.  So the inner geek in me is awaiting a viewing of "Waiting for 'Superman.'"  Check out the trailer and take the pledge!

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays: Stationery

I believe in letters whether they are love letters or thank you notes or letters of friendship.  I believe they are necessary in this world of technology.  Writing thank you notes is extremely important to me.  I think I have written one for almost every Christmas and birthday gift I have received.  I hope people value letters the same way that I do.

Moreover, I love beautiful, fun, and pretty stationery.  Here are a few of my favorites:

photo: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EvenAndy?ref=top_trail

photo: http://www.riflepaperco.com

photo: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adriennewong?ref=top_trail

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.  ~Phyllis Theroux

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call.  ~Liz Carpenter

Letters are above all useful as a means of expressing the ideal self; and no other method of communication is quite so good for this purpose.  In letters we can reform without practice, beg without humiliation, snip and shape embarrassing experiences to the measure of our own desires... ~Elizabeth Hardwick 

Words on Wednesday: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Give Thanks. Walk

The first time I learned about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was when I was in 2nd grade and I participated in the Math-a-thon to raise money for the hospital.  Shortly after participating in the math-a-thon, I learned that a girl at my school in Memphis was a patient at the hospital and was being treated for cancer.  Being a 2nd grader this was a hard idea to grasp.  A million questions ran through my inquisitive young mind and my mom did her best to explain.

Since those experiences, I have been dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  I spent my junior year of college as an intern for the Louisville regional fundraising office and now I am thrilled to be a part of the Give Thanks. Walk planning committee.  

On November 20th, 60 communities across the United States will come together to walk and raise money to continue the progress St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has made in beating and treating childhood cancer, sickle cell anemia, and many other childhood ailments.  I encourage all of you to register and be apart of the 2010 Give Thanks. Walk.  For more information visit: http://www.givethankswalk.org/

Monday's Quote of the Week: Chocolate

Today is International Chocolate Day!  In celebration of the holiday, I thought I would share some famous quotes about chocolate.

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." ~Ernestine Ulmer

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces." ~Judith Viorst

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" ~Charles Schulz

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays: The World Series

I have been dreaming about the Cincinnati Reds winning the World Series since my family moved to Northern Kentucky in 1995.  I have been there through the hard times with Ken Griffey Jr. and Todd Coffey.  Now, I am loving the new era with the Cuban Flame Thrower, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto.   

Our prospect of going to the playoffs was look bright and then St. Louis came along to bring down our winning streak.  Currently, the Reds need to put on their game faces and end this losing strike.  I am still dreaming of standing downtown to watch the World Series Parade.   

Needless to say I have been lusting over some new Cincinnati Reds gear.  Here are a few of my faves:

Classic Logo Redlegs

Redlegs

 I already have my little mascot sitting on my desk to cheer on the Redlegs!

Cincinnati Reds Gnome

Labor Day Recap

Labor Day weekend has come and gone. There are multiple things that come to mind about the passing of this holiday. First off, it is the end of wearing white pants, skirts, and dresses and the end of sporting seersucker. Secondly, fall is creeping up on us. I attended my first tailgate of the year, sported leggings, and thought about wearing cowboy boots this weekend. 

Here are a few pictures from my Labor Day Weekend!

UofL v. UK game with MVB & LB

Sushi that I made!

Only Prettier

Photo Friday: Chicago

Chicago

I need to plan a trip to Chicago to visit friends and enjoy the beautiful architecture.  I took this picture a few years back.

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays

Last night was a pretty restless night for me; however, I was thrilled to talk with my snarky friend.  

Without fail, I find myself roaming the internet for all things pretty today.  I must say that I have been quite obsessed with clutches.  Why carry a purse when you can carry something cute and little?  Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Grace Southern Charm by 1154 Lill Studio

All About a Bow Clutch by Davie and Chiyo

Hobo International 'Moroccan - Embossed Lauren' Double Frame Clutch

 

 

 

 

 

Words on Wednesday: The South

There are a few things I take pride in and one of those is being southern.  I don't like admitting the fact that I was actually born in Indiana.  In fact, I once almost cried while having a conversation about the South when I remembered that I was born in the Midwest.  After a short year in my birth place, my childhood that was scattered across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the South:

Live Oaks 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I absolutely love live oaks and love spending time in Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC.

My College Friends

The Kentucky Derby which occurs the first Saturday in May.  Whether you go to the race or just spend the day at a Derby Party, there is nothing better than finding the perfect dress and hat for the day. 

The view from Miss Jana's House

 

 

River towns tend to be some of my favorite places to reside.  I have spent days by the rivers that run through Chattanooga, Little Rock, Columbia (SC), Louisville, and Cincinnati.  I enjoy days on lakes spent boating, wakeboarding, and skiing.  Here I would also note that I love how I still call of my friends' moms Miss "first name."  

 

Monday's Quote of the Week: College Football

"Academe, n.:  An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught.  Academy, n.:  [from academe] A modern school where football is taught."  ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

“There are two things every man in America thinks he can do: work a grill and coach football.” - Greg Schiano

“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.” - Lou Holtz

“Absolutely. There are a 1000 better coaches in the cities, but I’m the best in the country." - Lou Holtz

"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." - Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game. 

Go Gamecocks!

Photo Friday: Frienemies

This weekend I will be hanging with these two.  We have a love/hate relationship.

Being a 20-something

There is nothing like reading an article about 20-somethings when you are a 20-something. As I read the article What Is It About 20-Somethings? that appeared in the New York Times Magazine, I could definitely relate to some of the scenarios and situations both in myself and in others. I am uncertain of what the future holds for me and I have only spent 1 year of my life outside of formal education. Many times I have thought about moving here or there or spending a year or two teaching English in a foreign country. I have changed my mind a million times about my passions and likes. Most 20-somethings are looking for love, but fearful of making any commitments.

My favorite quote from the article was:

"The 20s are when most people accumulate almost all of their formal education; when most people meet their future spouses and the friends they will keep; when most people start on the careers that they will stay with for many years. This is when adventures, experiments, travels, relationships are embarked on with an abandon that probably will not happen again."

I have found the best way to plunge into the 20s is through reading. Some of my personal fiction favorites have been Commencement, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue. While I have been reading a lot of non-fiction lately too with Eat. Pray. Love. and The Last Lecture. I am still planning on reading 20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction.  I plan on seeing if it helps with the quarter-life crisis.

The Definition of Pretty

There are many differing definitions of the word pretty.  It takes on three different parts of speech, and for some it is a term of endearment.  My preferred definition comes from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “pretty – adj. artful or clever” or “pretty – adj. a: pleasing by delicacy or grace b: having conventionally accepted elements of beauty.”  

While pretty is the word I choose to describe my favorite friends, who act genuinely with grace and optimism.  It is my choice word for describing my childhood that contained moving to 4 different states and 7 different cities, and pretty is how I try to live day in and day out.  Twists and turns throughout life should be handled with grace and random happenings must only be shared.  This leads to beauty. 

So, welcome to my blog, pretty!