Friday, September 12, 2008

Decorating- Another Reason For Me To Spend

Well, the furniture shopping is going well. I bought the majority of the furniture yesterday and it will be delivered next week. Just the coffee table will be a little late so that is good. I still need a dining room table though. I cannot find one that I like but I have a few more places to go.

I found a few bedding sets that I really liked last night. One was at Dillards and made by Croscill. I got the sales lady to write down the name of the collection down on a piece of paper so I could shop around. When I got home and tried to look for it- it doesn't exist. It's not on Dillards' website or Croscill's or ANYONE else's. UGH! I also found the MK one at Macy's that I love so much. It's so much more affordable online. I don't know which one I'm going to go with yet.

We are going today to order our bridesmaids dresses. I need a size 78. Do they make that? I'm hoping to loose more weight but be a few months pregnant by then so WHO KNOWS? Of course, it's best to get the dress too big, not too small. Gussy picked one that looks pretty comfy but I'll see tonight. Thankfully, there are no skinny bitches in the wedding.

Bath and Body Works is discontinuing one of FAVORITE scents. I bought a candle and some 50% off body spray so I can stock up. I need to get some soap online. I also got some cute Halloween soaps for the guest bath and kitchen. I want this and this(I'm so in love with acorns right now) and a bunch of other stuff from Target. I've NEVER decorated for a season or for well, anything before. I'm VERY excited. Halloween falls on a Friday so, maybe we will have a get together. FUN!!!!!

I'm finding a ton of super cute things- that should be another post entirely. Fall is very fun. I love the colors. Do you decorate for the seasons/holidays? What have you found for Fall that you love? Tell me, please.

Labels: decorating, fun, holidays

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Pirates Of Death Valley

Justin's friends were the spot of the week at TheTigerBlog. Go here to check it out. Luke and I will be there Saturday and whenever we can. With the move, it'll be hard to get there, but we'll go as much as possible. My parents and Luke's (and some other UGA fan friends) will be there for the UGA/LSU game.

LSU tailgating is like nothing you've ever been to before. This spot is the best there is, too. GEAUX TIGERS!

Labels: family, fun, Justin, LSU

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Sunday, August 24, 2008

Iko Iko

We had a really good time this weekend. We ate great food and stayed in a great hotel. Friday night, we ate at Palace Cafe on Canal Street. It's in a gorgeous building with wonderful service and great food. I had the Shrimp Tchefuncte and so did Shannon. It was so incredible. We eat all over and this was top five, for sure, if not higher. We also had bananas foster and white chocolate bread pudding. I have pictures but I don't have the cord so, I'll have to download later.

Saturday morning we went to the jewelry show. Justin and dad lasted no time. They separated from us right away and before we knew it, they were calling to tell us that they were leaving. I don't know what they thought it was going to have that they wanted? There were a lot of people there. The doors opened at 10, but by 12:30 or so, it had thinned out.

Mom, Shannon and I walked through the entire thing. I bought a great little black and white canvas bag that I am going to get monogrammed. I thought I bought a big stone plate with our last initial on it but when I went back to pick it up, they didn't have it. I was upset. Oh well, we are going back in November. I also bought some of these and some earrings and a necklace. Oh, and some sunglasses. Mom bought us some weird type of hair removal exfoliator pads. They are weird and time consuming but they work. We had a lot of fun together.

The hotel was great. It was nice having a biiiiig, huge king sized bed to sleep in all by myself. Poor Luke had to work this weekend so, I had my room all to myself. It was nice. The bathroom was extra big, bigger than either of the others. I took extra long showers each night using the wonderful smelling soaps and shampoos. Then, I curled myself up in the fluffy white towels. How nice would it be to stay there for an extended period of time (with Luke)? Very! But, all good things must come to an end.

Saturday night we ate at Bourban House on Bourban Street. It was really pretty, too. I enjoyed the food and my cocktail(s) there. I had the seafood platter and drank the Belle Nuit. It was champagne and pomegranate liqueur and it was so delicious. After dinner, we rode the street car down St Charles Avenue from Canal Street. It was a perfect night for it, a light breeze not too hot. St Charles has some really beautiful houses on it. I've ridden the street car many, many times but Shannon had never done it and it was really nice.

This morning, we went to the Jazz Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. It's a famous restaurant and we'd never been. I enjoyed it today. When we left, it was drizzling a little so we tried to get a cab and couldn't. No cab wanted to pick us up! They were fighting over who would get off there asses and drive! What is up with that? No one wanted to work. We walked back to the hotel and got the bags. Then, we packed them and us in the car and headed west.

Labels: family, fun, travel

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Recipe and Games

Okay, I will let you in on my secret sweet potato pancake recipe.

Click HERE to find it.

So, everyone (mostly) likes the BookWorm game. I've never heard of it. I guess I'll go check it out.

Labels: food, fun, recipes

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Monday, July 7, 2008

Diary Book Club- Updated

This is my 700th post and I have an announcement! I've decided to start that book club since there was some interest. I'm very excited!

The first book we will read is The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Dominique. It is set in 1920's south Louisiana (I'm set in modern day south Louisiana)! It looks like Amazon is out of them right now, Kelli ordered hers from Paperback Swap, if you are interested in that. I'm sure your library has copies. I'll keep you posted about Amazon. If you are having a problem finding the book, let me know.

In the back of the book, there are questions for discussion and I'll try to keep some notes, too. Also, you'll email (or leave in comments) questions or points you want discussed. Then, we'll all gather round and discuss all the questions and points being brought up right here at the Diary. How awesome!!

I figure one month is enough time to read the book. If it's not enough time you will just tell me that you need more time and that is fine. If everyone finishes before then, that is great too. We are just working out the kinks here the first few times. You can always email me with questions and concerns, book ideas, etc at shoeaddict17 at gmail dot com. We'll have our big book club meeting on Wednesday, August 6th starting at about 10am. How's that sound?

Who's in? Let your friends know, too. I'm thrilled beyond imagination about this because I miss school and fun discussions like this. I wish I could have you all over to my house and we could really talk about books (and shoes and marriage and life). Please feel free to email me with any kind of anything, okay? The book is a little confusing because it jumps back and forth between time periods. This is what I read that made me order it.

Updated- Ok, those are you who are participaticing are:
-Kate
-Chel (Hello! She used to live here in LA)(Oh! She reviewed Poetic Wax on Chic Critique)
-Lesli
-Kelli
-Amy (from LA and lives here)
-GEG (from N LA but lives in Chicago)

That is 6, 7 including me. I'm hoping that Sarah joins, too *hint, hint*. I'm excited! Did I mention that?

Labels: books, Diary Bookclub, fun, new books, reader partipation

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Booking It (too you)(a giveaway!)

I read a lot. I have lots and lots of books, too. I'm talking a lot. I've decided to try and do reviews here after I have read the book(s). Oh, and do some giveaways every now and then to get rid of the books. I read them and they are in great condition (mostly) so, they just take up space. I have two books to review and one to giveaway today.

The first book is the above by Emily Giffin (photo from Amazon). I've read Giffin's first two books Something Borrowed and Something Blue which were good. They tied into each other. This book was different. It's about a girl named Ellen who is newly married and lives in New York City. She runs into her first love on the street one day and wonders "what-if" as he continues to pop up in her life.

I liked this book but did not love it. I found Ellen unrelatable in some parts of the book, for me. This is clearly subjective as you may find her very relatable. I don't want to say exactly which parts I mean because I'll give away large parts of the story. It's good to read about how different people feel and react though. I know she's not a real person but the writer is and she writes from a real place.

Did you read this? What did you think?

The book I just finished is the above Mrs Kimble by Jennifer Haigh. This novel is the author's first. She has a new one out that I'm interested in reading because I loved her voice. In Mrs Kimble, we read about Ken Kimble's three wives and families and what his marrying (and leaving) them does to their lives. The book spans twenty some odd years and a few states.

This book was just riveting. I loved it. The characters were fabulous and well written. The women, though all different in age and background, were all tragic and broken in someway. Even though that was the case, I still didn't feel like they were all sad and depressed and completely helpless. I'm very impressed by Jennifer Haigh and am going to read her other books.

Unfortunately, I am only giving away Love the One You're With because Mrs Kimble got wet and is a mess. I'm too embarrassed to send it out to someone. Here is how the giveaway will go: (1) leave me a comment here letting me know that you want to win this book (you can leave a comment even if you don't want to win, just say you don't want to win) (2) tell me what you are reading now or what you read last (3) be sure I have your e mail info (4) do all of this BEFORE Wednesday July 9th at 6pm when I'll announce the winner (I'll do random number or names in a bag)

Okay! How's that? I'm excited. Whoever wins might get an extra bonus book, too. We'll discuss it (or not. ha ha) Anyway, I'm dying to do a sorta book club like thing where we (or some of us) read the same book and periodically talk about it. I'll be happy to host it here. I'm about to start reading The Mercy Of Thin Air. I actually read a few pages and it's so fabulous already, I'm thrilled. It's set in New Orleans in 1920 and it's about a woman who dies but is caught between worlds or something- it's so amazing. So, just let me know.

Labels: Book Review, books, fun, giveaway

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Saturday, July 5, 2008

Fireworks, Crabs and An Alligator

Happy late Independence Day, kids! We are having a blast here. We had a BBQ yesterday and watched fireworks. We had wonderful food and great company. It was hot but fun. We even rode in the boat at dusk.

Today, we had a crab boil and fried shrimp. Oh good grief!! It was fantastic. I love boiled crabs. We saw a HUGE alligator in the water, too. He was giant. Daddy fed him a crab and he opened his mouth to eat it.

My cousin and her family are down the road at a campground. It's so nice to see them all. It's great to do simple things and enjoy each other. Nothing makes me happier than being with my family, nothing. I'm hot and dirty and stinky, though. It's OK. I love it.

I hope everyone remembered to be thankful to our brave military who make it possible for us to be free and be with our families. There are so many men and women who are away from their families right now. They have fought for our rights to be free: free to disagree with what they do, free to blog about our opinions, free to pray to the god of our choice, free to hold our children close.

Happy Independence Day, ya'll!
God Bless America!

Labels: family, food, fun, holidays

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Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Home Again

Go Dawgs!!!!!

Luke and I are home. We are so sore, exhausted, and excited. I have pictures and an entire story... for tomorrow.

Happy New Year, Dolls.

P.S. We had LOTS of fun. Who missed me?

Labels: football, fun, Luke, trips

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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

LCR

The game, a martini and money

Some of the players: Holly, Daddy, Mrs J., Patrick, Olivier's (his head)

Nic (Holly's boyfriend) & Justin

Holly & Christopher

Gussie won!!

Labels: family, fun, pictures

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Rockstars, 2.0

Today, I have a headache. It's not that bad. It was more intense at about 2:00 am- 4:00 am. That's when I finally was able to fall asleep. I'm tres excited because Luke just came home for lunch and said he bought us tickets to the Sugar Bowl!! UGA is his team and I'm glad to go. New Orleans won't be as crazy for the Sugar Bowl as it will be for the Championship, right? I'm not big on Bourbon Street during big events, especially post-Katrina. Crime is out of control.

I'm eating a salad for lunch. It's one I got from Wally Mart yesterday. I love these- they are Ready To Go or something like that. They come in Cobb, Chicken Caesar, Spinach and Bacon, and the one I'm eating is new cranberry walnut. It's got mixed greens, chicken, walnuts, dried cranberries, feta cheese and a cranberry vinaigrette dressing. The Spinach one is great too. It's spinach, bacon, cheddar, almond, and a vinaigrette that I forgot.

Daddy and Me (Justin in the background)

Justin and Mom

Inside the limo! Papa, Mamaw, Luke (hiding), me, Keith (taking a picture)

M&M's! Maria and Madison

McKenzie took Gus' camera. Self-portrait.

Labels: daddy, family, fun, Justin, Madison, Mamaw, Maria, McKenzie, PaPa, pictures

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Rockstars

These are some of the pictures from Saturday night. We all met at mom and daddy's house. The limo picked us up there. These are Gus' pictures (from her camera). Keith and Susan (my uncle and aunt) took more and I hope to get some of those. Then you can see the kidlets, too. It was adorable to see them in the limo. We asked them if it was what they expected and it was fun to hear their answers. Maria, the oldest (14), described a very "movie-like" version with the seats on both sides. This one was not like that. It had a long bench seat on one side with the bars on the other. Then, a little two seater "love seat" (where Luke and I sat)facing forward. Behind that was a curved three seater.

There were movie screens throughout, with two larger ones in front of the main bench. We watched Open Season on the way back. We didn't get to finish it, though, now I have to rent it. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne which I loved! We'd had some champagne Thursday night (toasting Zoe) but, I think I like this kind better. No offense, Isabelle and Olivier!! I'm not really a wine drinker, or any kind of drinker, really. If I do, though, it's usually this. Anyway, we got our champagne and Justin made a beautiful toast to Papa and his success. We are still celebrating his becoming an ISA Fellow. Saturday, December 8th was also Papa's mother's (my great-grandmother) birthday. She died not very long ago. We also toasted her.

Just in case you are like me and want to know what people eat when they go out, I'll tell you what I remember. Shannon (Gus) and I split the crab stuffed mushroom appetizer (yum). Maria and Madison split the shrimp cocktail but hated it. Very funny because they had no idea what it was. Why'd they order it? No clue. We had dinner salads and some people also had seafood gumbo. I had the lump crab au gratin with a stuffed baked potato. It was good if a little bland for my taste. Could've used a little of this in my opinion. I put Tony's in everything. Gus had Tilapia, Luke had a steak that was still bleeding as usual, daddy had a crab dinner (crab au gratin, stuffed crab, crab fingers...) and mom had catfish. Those were the people who were sitting near me. I know Kenzie had half of a hamburger and Daniel had chicken fingers. I could've guessed that even if I wasn't there, though.

This place has homemade ice cream, too. Oreo, nutty coconut, Tabasco, fig preserve, vanilla, and they were out of chocolate. I got the Oreo (my favorite kind) and it was awesome. Gus and mom got coconut and it was very good. Papa got the Tabasco and I tried it. Very interesting. Tabasco has a sweet flavor at first, then it has a bite. I couldn't eat a bowl but, I'm glad I tried it. I wish someone would've gotten the fig because I love figs.

It was such a great night! I'm so blessed to have such a happy, healthy, loving, funny family. Also, such kind, generous, loving grandparents.

You wanna see pictures? These were taken in mom's driveway.

Luke HATES to have his picture taken!

Mom and Me! I love the ruching detail on the sleeve of my shirt. Can you see?

Gus and Shoe

This picture was taken especially for YOU!

Labels: family, fun, Gus, love, Luke, mom, pictures

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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Family Reunion Pictures- Beware of Cajuns!!

You may remember me talking about going to a family reunion this past weekend. It was semi-small as not everyone was there. We rented the group cabin at a State Park about 45 minutes away from where I live. It's about two hours away for some that came. The "cabin" has a huge common area, kitchen, women's room with twelve sets of bunk beds and an identical men's side. Outside, there are porches, a fire pit and lots of area for the kids to play.

This family is the "A" family- my mom's mom's side. The group is my Mamaw Emma and her 3 siblings and their kids and grandkids. This is the 100% Cajun family. I know longtime readers of the Diary are aware of my pride in being Cajun. We ate jambalaya, played bouree' and watched a helluva game on TV. It was an awesome weekend!

Friday night eating supper of seven steak, rice and gravy. Uncle Nelson (in red plaid) is my Mamaw's brother, then that's my mom and dad and Patti (Uncle Nelson's wife) in black.

added to the pic is my brother Justin in the purple cap and my cousin Hunter

That's my shoulder/back and half of my head! My cousin Chad is standing in line for food.

That's Mamaw Emma, Uncle Cliston, and Uncle Ricky's and Jean Pierre's backs. Jean is Uncle Nelson and Patti's son. Uncle Nelson was married before and had my cousins Cherina, Ash, Dori and Mary. None of them could come.

More of me, my cousin Brandi (Hunter's mom) and her other child, Macy

Eating steak and gravy in the common room

Daddy and Uncle playing guitar and bass, respectively

Justin was leading them. He's awesome! Check out the bug spray. The mosquitoes were awful!!

deep in conversation...

singing his heart out

He got his first "gee-tar" when he was little. He loved that thing. My daddy has always played and together they own MANY. Luke also plays and has an electric and acoustic guitar.

Saturday morning breakfast prepared by my mom the chef. It was blueberry walnut bread, breakfast pizza and fruit salad.

the kitchen

the snacks

Saturday morning

Eating breakfast

Addy, 4, is adorable but she's a handful!

My mom, my Aunt Georgia (Mamaw Emma's sister and Uncle Cliston's wife) and Addy

Who even knows which meal is which at this point... breakfast???

Legs belong to Jennifer, Chad's wife. Next to her is Aunt Shirley's back. She is the youngest sibling of the group. She is Chad, Brandi, and Amanda's mom and Uncle Ricky's wife. Addy is Amanda's little girl. Yes, you will be tested!!

That's Amanda's back and long hair, me in the pink, Mamaw, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Georgia, Donna (the one we are always praying for-she's Aunt Georgia's daughter) and mom. We are sitting on the back porch.

Uncle, the jambalaya, Ray (Missy's husband. Missy is Uncle and Aunt Georgia's daughter who came for the day on Saturday) and dad stirring

Uncle Nelson, Uncle Cliston, Ray, daddy

MMMMMMM.... salting the pot

Stirring the pot

Awwwww! Sweet, happy Aidan, playing in his walker. He is Amanda's baby.

The women in the sun.

Justin, chillin'

Uncle Nelson and Blaine (Brandi's husband) holding a big fat piece of sugarcane

Unc with the cane

My PaPa loves to sneak up and take pictures of people.

More women talking... it was so pretty that day.

A bunch of us watching the game

Manda, me and Aidan eating. Yes, she's in his stroller. She weighs nothing! She and Brandi have curly hair, too. I get it from this side. Aidan loved me. It was soooo great to hold a baby.