What Every Woman Should Know.

Years ago this email was sent to me and I have kept it and often refer back to it because I believe every word. 

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year... 

Today.

from

Monday. Night. Football.

There are football games.  And then there are FOOTBALL games.  Last night Monday Night Football with the Panthers and Patriots was one of those games that you remember where you were and what you were doing at the moment.

Unfortunately the day and night went by way tooooo fast, so I didn't take all the photos I wanted to.  But a few photos of an incredible night in Charlotte and in the Carolinas.  Because our states were on a national stage and couldn't have delivered any better! 

Two States.  One Team. 

GO PANTHERS!

 

 

 

 

And now a few photos to show you tailgating... Panthers style!

 



A few of my Favorite Things - Part 3

As I mentioned before... I am in the Christmas decorating spirit.  So I thought I would share a few of my favorite things for decorating and to have around the house for the Holidays! 

1.  These are my favorite candles - because I love my house to smell like a real Christmas Tree.  The Thymes Frasier Fir candle is the best around - and a very long lasting candle.  So rush out now.  No seriously... now!

2.  The best Christmas music.  Two of my favorites are Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney.  And telling you... you can't go wrong with these two.  Garth gives you the classic Christmas feel, while Kenny takes you straight to the islands for a warm Christmas! 

3.  I am a sucker for wrapping gifts.  My only problem is that they look so cute... until I have to put all of them in bags and travel with them.  Which is not the best thing for cute wrapping... but I still love it.  And for those years I couldn't decorate... my gifts were all the decorating I needed!

4.  I actually bought two of these trees this year - and they are perfect!  Now, if I had a front porch I think they would be amazing on each side, but since I don't... one is my tree this year, and one is on my balcony.  And the best part..... $34 each at Lowes!

5.  The perfect stocking!  And what I love about these from Mark and Graham is that you can pick the embroidery color and they offer so many fonts.  This quilted linen stocking is such a classic look for any decorating style.

The Pinterest Project from #@!$

So we have all done it - saw the perfect and adorable project on Pinterest.  Typically I know my limits, and pin them to look at, but I absolutely never attempt.  Well, last year, I just couldn't get this picture out of my mind.

I mean... amazing right?  (Hence the XL posting of the photo here) So I set out to make it.  Well.... about 5 trips to different stores to find a wreath wire that might work (note to self... think a wreath form would have worked better), hours and hours of hot glue gun disasters, and finally almost 12 months of it sitting in a corner because it didn't get finished. 

Well.... here it comes back again.  I have dusted off the wreath and brought the glue gun back out to try and finish the project.  So - stay tuned to see if I fail for another year at a Pinterest project, or if this one actually works. 

Here is a sneak peak at my progress...

And... if you happen to find a wreath like this I can buy - PLEASE help a girl out and call me!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

I know... I know.... it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.  But for some reason, I have been itching to start decorating.  And here is the weird part - I haven't decorated in years for Christmas.  It isn't due to a lack of love for the Holiday, but typically just because life and work gets in the way and I blink and it is Christmas week.  And then what is the point of decorating?  But this year, I have purchase not 1, but 2, trees for my house and plan to decorate a little this weekend.  So try not to judge.... and I will be happy with my Christmas tree smelling candles getting ready for the Christmas holiday!

A few of my Favorite Things - Part 2

Continuing the Favorite Things post with the place I spend most of my time - the office.  Which means you need the most amazing things to make your works space perfect. 

No. 1:  The perfect day planner by Whitney English.  I stumbled on this amazing planner in late 2012 and was able to use one for all of 2013.  It works perfectly for me as I have space to write all of my appointments, as well as my daily to do list.  I am the most "i" person you know owning the latest gadgets, but there is still something about have a planner and to do list that I can check off.   Makes me feel that more productive.  This is one gift that the person you gift this to will not regret!

No. 2:  Right now you are thinking who would want to receive a stapler - well this girl would!  I love the combination of modern and retro, which is why my desk is a mix of clear acrylic and old school charm.  This stapler reminds me of the days I would go and visit my Grandfather at Icard Elementary School.  I love it - and it works great!  Plus, just makes me smile when I see it.

No. 3:  Everyone should have cute notecards on their desk - and I love these.  They are the perfect size for a quick note or for drawing while you are stuck on the boring conference call.  Plus - you can purchase a cute clear acrylic holder for them.  They sit on my desk and get a lot of attention from me!

No. 4:  The person you are giving this to may not take it to work - but they are missing out.  A good candle can make your office space smell great and make it seem a little more like home.  One of my favorite scents would be the Pineapple Cilantro candle from Tommy Bahama.  It is the perfect mix that isn't too sweet.  Plus you get a bonus when you walk in the store to buy - you get to feel like you have been transported to the beach for a few minutes.  Bonus all around!

No. 5:  Everyone needs the perfect stationary - and my belief is that you just can't have too much of it!  I am always adding to my collection and mix up which set I used based on who I am sending a note to or the occasion.  Because people - nothing beats the perfect handwritten note. 

CMA Awards

As you can imagine - I am a sucker for most Country Awards shows.  So... a few observations from the night.

1.  Hello Carrie Underwood.  While this was not my favorite outfit of the night that she wore - there is no denying that the girl has the best legs in Country Music.  Hello.... can I please have those legs? 

2.  By now you realize that KC and Luke Bryan are my favorites these days.  Pretty sad that KC was not even in attendance, which meant that I didn't have the pleasure of texting with a friend and discussing his need for a tailor.  And you know I love me some Kenny, so it always pains me to say that.

3.  Speaking of Luke - glad to see the moment in the monologue where Brad and Carrie joked about the comments ZB of ZBB had - and love how Luke handled it.  By leaving his seat and walking up and giving him a huge bear hug.  If this is the result, can I start a feud with Luke?

4.  And continuing with the monologue - I will say it had some great moments, though I will admit it took me a minute to get the Darius Rucker joke.  You can watch the monologue here...

5.  Just a random thought - but tell me how we give a "Pinnacle" awards to someone who hasn't even turned 25 yet?  By definition it means the point of greatest success or achievement.  I mean the only other person that has received the award currently is Garth Brooks.  And hello George Strait is sitting in the audience and we give it to a 25 year old?  I'm just saying it might be a little too soon.  That is all.

6.  Some of the performances that I thought rocked.... Keith and Miranda were great.  The Carrie medley was pretty cool.  And watching the entire audience sign along to the Gambler made you want to sing along too.

7.  But the moment of the night for me was the Luke Bryan performance.  No way you could watch and not tear up!

A few of my favorite things - Part 1

When the Oprah show was on television, one of my favorite episodes would be the Favorite Things show.  I would wait with anticipation to see what great things would be on her list.  Since the show ended, I always look forward to the issue of O Magazine that has the annual listing of Favorite Things. 

A few years ago, one of my favorite gifts I ever gave was a collection of my Favorite Things.  So - thought I would share some of those here over the next few weeks for your gifting options. 

Up first... items to give for the home.

 

No. 1:  The Laundress New York Signature Detergent - not only is the smell amazing, but let's face it - the packaging is adorable.  As a bonus, add some of their great storage products as well.  Check them out here.

No. 2:  Live Moss Letters from Pottery Barn - I mean why send flowers when you can send a living piece of art that they can keep?  These would look so chic year-round.  Tie with the perfect ribbon and hang inside or outside for the perfect addition to a room.   

No. 3:  I really can't believe this is even on my list!  But earlier this year I received an Orchid in the mail as a thank you gift.  As a person who has NEVER been able to keep a plant alive (yep - I even killed a peace lilly once... so take that all you "there is no way to kill a peace lilly" people) I am excited to announce that my Orchid has not be thriving for two months.  Don't laugh - that is progress people!  AND I have even looked at adding more - because I love that so far they are always blooming.  Add to that the ice cube trick someone enlightened me with and BAM... I am sold.  And I love the idea of sending a type of flower.  When my Grandmothers were still with us, I loved sending flowers to them - because think about it, as we get older, the occasions that people send flowers to us are few and far between - and they are always a hit!  So - rush now and find you an Orchid to send to a few people on your list!

No. 4:  Monogrammed Pillows from Mark & Graham - how cute, right?  And be creative with the monogram by stepping outside of just the initials.  Bonus:  you know your gift won't get returned.  :)