A Little Perspective

I found this in the blogging world. I am sharing it here and on my facebook page. I hope any readers I may have, will take a second to read it. It's from Vicky Bell's blog and it's a letter she wrote to her daughter.

Sunday Graces & the Weekend of Nothing-ness

Sorry for missing last week, we had company in town. This weekend the hubs and I both pinky-swore to each other that we would not make any plans. It was wonderful. It was the weekend of nothing. Friday night we ordered pizza and caught up on our shows or "programs," as my grandparents used to say. Saturday we hung out around the house and did some little projects. Today, I did the weekly grocery shopping and then cooked up a storm. I'm going to freeze the majority of the food, it makes it so much easier during the week. I think hubs got it right when he said "we have enough food for a month."

For this week's edition, I am going to share part of an article from House Beautiful. In their November issue they did "101 Party Do's & Don'ts." Well our scanner isn't hooked up and I don't have the patience to type all 101. So, I decided to pick ten items that I completely agree with and ten that I don't really agree with.

10 items I am down with:

1. Don't be afraid to throw a party because you think it will cost too much. You can have a good time for $10 with a bottle of wine and a bag of nuts. Thomas Jayne, Designer

2. Music should be just loud enough so that people have to talk above it slightly. Alexa Hampton, Designer

3. Don't serve only white liquors because you're afraid of spills. Richard Mishaan, Designer

4. Don't impose a dress code on people . . . leave them to their own devices and just see what turns up. Larry Laslo, Designer

5. Don't run low on the hooch! David Jimenez, Designer

6. The host's mood sets the tone. Emily Eerdmans

7. Always start with an empty dishwasher. Chesie Breen

8. People with big personalities are best in the center of the table. They can help carry the conversation from that place. Michael S. Smith, Designer

9. Not everyone drinks alcohol. Have fresh-squeezed juices and other delicious choices so you can mix a "mocktail" or two. Preston Bailey, Event Designer

10. Turn off cell phones! Joan Michaels Designer

10 tips that I don't necessarily agree with:

1. Always do favors. Amen Wardy (I don't think favors are necessary at every party, I feel like this has gotten a little out of hand lately.)

2. Put lamps on your buffet or server. Jan Showers (I just prefer candles. I am aware of the fire risk.)

3. Have beverages visible from the moment guests step in the door. Matt and Ted Lee (I think offering to get your guests a beverage is the better approach.)

4. Don't use assigned seating - allow guests to mingle and let the evening evolve organically. Deborah Lloyd. (Those of you that have been readers for a while know how I feel about this. If you are having a sit-down dinner, assigned seating is a must.)

5. As a host, don't sit at the head of the table - presumptuous and archaic. Darryl Carter (I believe that the host and hostess should sit at the heads of the table. The hostess sits at the head closest to the kitchen so that she can better accomodate her guests.)

I have to admit, when I was reading this article last night I thought there were a few more I disagreed with. I guess not! I agree with the other 96 items. This is a really great issue if you enjoy entertaining. Happy Sunday all!

RIP Madras Flip-flops

You gave me two great summers. We saw some beautiful places and did some fun stuff. However, you've seen better days and it's time to part ways. I'm hopeful that J. Crew will reincarnate you next summer. XOXO - EC

Sunday Graces

Pictured above is the current state of my dining room. I am getting ready for our little cocktail party next weekend and I've been polishing my silver. Experience has taught me that it is much more fun and MUCH less stressful to be lighting candles instead of polishing silver right before your guests arrive. I've done both and although the smell of Tarn-X is unique (think sulfur), I prefer scented candles.

As I was polishing my tea service, I was inspired for this week's Sunday Graces. Many of you probably already know this, but I can never remember. Which pot is for tea and which is for coffee? I then thought of the old nursery rhyme, "I'm a little teapot short and stout," but I wanted to look it up just to be sure. Well, after looking through all of my etiquette books, none of them address which pot is for tea and which is for coffee. So I am going to assume that the nursery rhyme is correct and the pot that is "short and stout" is for the tea.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

New Favorite Song?

I can't decide if its Mad Men or this song that I really like. In any event, its been on repeat for a while. Check it out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q98pbT-ok3s

P. S. it takes a few seconds for it to start or my computer is slow :)

New Curtains!

Guess who just saved $300.12 on curtains? This girl! Our second anniversary is coming up on the 13th. The "etiquettely correct" gift is cotton, so I decided that we would get some new linens for our bedroom.

We originally had white curtains and while pretty, they did a poor job of blocking out the light and I love my beauty sleep. I have had great luck finding curtains at J.C. Penney's - so that's where we headed tonight. I found curtains by American Living. I couldn't find a picture online, probably because they were on clearance, but they are a really pretty chocolate brown. They have a nice button detail at the top. They were marked down from $80 to $5!!!!

I am hoping to find a pretty white quilt for the bed and I think I am going to order this bed skirt. A white bedspread is so relaxing to me. Sorry I don't have any pretty pictures for this post, but hopefully I will have some when the bedroom is all put together.

A Sequel to The Preppy Handbook???!!!!

I just ordered this on amazon. I am so excited! I love the original Preppy Handbook and I am anxious to hear what the same author has to say about these crazy times we live in.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

While I am a bit sad that this weekend signals the end of summer, I am thrilled about our destination. We are headed to the Holy City! We're going to see my brother and his cute new wife. I'm sure the weekend will include lots of good food, some boating, pretty scenery and maybe a few cocktails. Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!

Introducing Buddy

Since I went on my blog-atical, I got a little four-legged friend. His name is Buddy. His mom is a chihuahua and his dad is a yorkie. He is feisty and a handful - but also very cute (most of the time).

PS when I say his mom and dad, I don't mean me and CH, I mean his dog parents :)

Blog-atical

After reading Downtown Southern’s post where she mentions her vacation from blogging . . . I determined that I took a sabbatical from blogging.

Here is a snippet of my conversation that I had with my cute husband tonight:

Me: I’m going to call my break from blogging a sabbatical

CH: A sabbatical, eh?

Me: yes, that’s what it was, a sabbatical

CH: I think the correct term is actually blog-atical. Blog-atical, when life stops being nice and starts being real.

I love that he makes me laugh . . . and that he is the cutest.

Mama Loves a Cocktail Party!

I love both going to cocktail parties and hosting them. You know what a cocktail party means . . . a new cocktail dress! In September, the man I live with (yes, that’s my husband) and I are having a cocktail party. We are having some of his work associates over.

Over the past few years I have learned that behind every great party is a great plan. Great planning has to start early. We decided to have hors d'oeuvres and obviously cocktails. I haven’t decided what kinds yet. Does anyone have any ideas? I also don’t know if I should go with a theme . . . thoughts on that?

As long as we’re on the subject of party planning, I bought this book recently. I love it! I often find that when I get a new party-planning book they recite basic etiquette, such as, you should always greet your guests at the door. Um, thanks for the tip, I never would have thought of that! This book has a lot of clever ideas and easy solutions. One idea they have is for a table protector under a tablecloth. They write about how normal table protectors are often bulky and uneven, I couldn’t agree more. They suggest using a thin fleece blanket. I plan on doing this – I just haven’t found the right blanket yet.

I want to be SHREDDED!

I read about this workout from another blogger, E, Myself, & I , and I am so glad I did! I bought the dvd and the hand weights today at Target. Her dvd has three workouts, all different levels, and they are all 20 minutes long. It's perfect for people on the go. Her challenge is 30 days. You do the work-out for thirty days and eat well and you might lose 20 pounds. Well, I don't know that I will lose 20 pounds but healthy eating and working out never hurt anyone.

I think its perfect for days when I need a quick work-out and its too hot outside to run. I might have a new favorite quote. It goes something like this - "if you want results, you have to work them, they aren't free." Thanks Jillian!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Well, my dad isn't 70, but this was the cutest birthday cake I found that involved golf! The hubster and I had my parents and baby-sis (+ her boyfriend) over for dinner. We had a great time! Our menu included chopped salad, pork loin with cinnamon apples, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and rolls. I tried a new dessert. Its called Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte. It was a big hit and the hubby said "you have to make this for Christmas."

Thursday Night Parties

So the boy and I have started one of our first traditions. We have thursday night parties. We don't invite anyone . . . just us, but its become my favorite night of the week! Our favorite tv shows come on, we have good food, and good drinks. We email each other during the day to remind the other of our thursday night . . . we are dorks, its okay. Here are our favorite shows (high dot low dot . . . let me know if you got that)

I didn't really like this show until I learned the premise of it, but now I love it.

The boy does not like this one (Kath & Kim) as much as I do, but he humors me.

We both love the Office.

Love this

Saw this on Abnormally Normal. I love this lady. She reminds me of my mom :)

A) Four places I go over and over: My parents house, My office, Target, Farm Fresh

B) Four people who e-mail me: My hubby, My mom, J. Crew, Crate and Barrel

C) Four of my favorite places to eat: Three Amigos, Kelly's, PF Chang's, My parent's house

D) Four places you'd rather be: Italy, Hawaii, Charleston, Paris

E) Four TV shows I could watch over and over: Lost, The Office, Designing Women (thank you DVR), Thirtysomething (when are they going to sell this as a series??????)

F) Four people I'm tagging: Mom, Mom, Mommy, Mommy - puhleaze??? post on your blog darling :)

Busy Bee

We're getting ready for a garage sale this weekend! Thanks Mom & Dad for letting us use your house! We're getting rid of a lot of duplicate houseware stuff that we have. We're also selling some random furniture and other stuff. I listed larger pieces of furniture on craigslist. I'm hoping to make a little chunk of change so I can do some things around the house! Any tips on garage sales?? I'm a first timer here . . .

Amazing

The wedding is over - it was amazing. Our families & friends seriously rock. My parents went above and beyond and it was truly a fairy tale. I can't wait to show you pictures. The whole day was wonderful and I married my prince charming :)

PS - me and the hubster (not fiance anymore) are off to Jamaica!

Rain, Rain Go Away, Come Again Another Day

(http://www.jcrew.com/)

Its pouring rain where I live and my roof is leaking . . . lovely. My washing machine died this past Sunday . . . also lovely. The good news, I am moving this weekend! So if all of this had to happen, at least it happened during my last week. I usually love rainy days, just not when my roof is leaking!

From here until I get back from my Honeymoon, my posting might be somewhat sporadic. I will be pretty busy during the next few weeks, considering that I am getting married in 16 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please check back in if you have time, I might need some last minute advice on wedding decisions and who better to get it from than my fellow bloggers. Don't stop believin' . . .

The Human Dolphin

I have to admit . . . I am not really into the Olympics. I am attributing it to the fact that there is so much other stuff going on in my life and I can't figure out the darn schedule. BUT, that was before I read this article. I am intrigued. This kid seriously rocks. I am going to look up the schedule so I can tune in tomorrow.

What has been your favorite thing to watch? Are you watching? Do you usually like sports?

Answering Questions

I have gotten a few questions in comments and I never know how to answer them, do I go back and comment or do I comment on the other person's blog . . . I never know.

So in answer to some of the questions:

Our big day is September 13, 2008 - I have a little over a month left but SO much to do! So I am setting little tasks for myself every day. I am also writing thank you notes like there is no tomorrow . . . I had to order more stationary!

Yes, my Daddy was nice enough to give me my Grandmommy's entire set of silver with her serving pieces as well. I can't believe it! I made Fiance hide it in his closet! I feel like my other grandmother, my Nana. She and my Poppy had stuff hidden all over their house!

Do you have any more questions that I might have neglected to answer? If so, I'm sorry, so ask in the comments and I will definitely answer!