Froyo to the Rescue!

As you all know today has kicked my butt. Seriously kicked my butt. I honestly don't know how I got anything accomplished at work....don't worry workplace (if anyone from work is reading this - I totally did get things done - amazingly). I had a few choices for this evening....go home and sulk or go out with some great ladies for some froyo.

Fudgie
1996 - 2011

As many of you know, Fudgie, my families dog of 15 years passed away this morning. It was hard on  all of us. I did a post dedicated to her titled All Dogs Go To Heaven. My original plan for this evening was to attend my first Zumba class at my new gym, I was determined to get into a routine and really stick to it. But after an emotionally draining day the offer of froyo with some local bloggers that I have come to know as friends became much more appealing than sulking alone at home or working out with a bunch of strangers. So froyo won out!

Yoforia on Selwyn

I met up with Brittney, Diana (who organized this to get her out of her injury blues), and Katie at Yoforia on Selwyn.

So I had dessert before dinner...

What I love about these girls is that before I thought of them as just local bloggers (and they are) but as I mentioned before they are now friends and I know that I can get support and comfort from them for days like today when my day just sucks.

Clyde!

Brittney brought Clyde with her...isn't he handsome? And Katie was sweet enough to go inside and get him a sample size of the peanut butter froyo! He loved it. Really loved it.

With Diana & our Froyo! 

Overall it was a great night and I can positively say that I am glad that I didn't stay home and sulk! 

Thanks ladies, you guys are awesome. 

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Today is a sad day. Today our family dog passed away....not just a pet a member of our family died. Fudgie was 15 years old and was the best dog a family could have.

Coke Bottles were Fudgie's favorite things in the world. 

We were living in Sherman, Texas when we got Fudgie. I was in middle school, I remember my brother and I begging for a fun and playful puppy. The dog we had at the time was my mom's dog (JR) and was older and smaller. We got Fudgie off of a farm in Kentucky Town, TX. She was the feistiest pup out of the bunch. I was wearing this collared cherry printed shirt and she was tugging at it...and trying to steal the bone from her big daddy dog. That was the puppy I wanted. My mom wanted the quiet white one...nope, I wanted the crazy one and so we went home with the crazy on. Her original name was Twix because she had one blue eye and one brown eye. How we came up with Fudgie I can't remember. I do remember my birthday party I asked for a Garfield cake (I loved Garfield) and Fudgie jumped onto my mom and made the cake fall onto the floor...thus there was no longer birthday cake...especially Garfield cake.

Fudgie started out as an outdoor dog because at the time we still had JR and he was older at the time. We JR passed my mom slowly began to warm up to Fudgie and before you knew it Fudgie was the family dog. My brother and I had so much fun with Fudgie - we all would go hiking together and Fudgie would tag right along and never needed a leash. She was a GREAT dog. I remember when we moved from Sherman, TX to Houston and I was miserable was a great friend she was to me. Once we moved back to Florida, Fudgie once again adapted to a new home and a new environment! I have so many memories of being in high school and Panama City and I can't imagine my life and family without Fudgie in them. She loved so selflessly.

After high school my family moved in Charlotte...and as Fudgie got older she adapted the nickname Pudgie! :) And still loved us all so much. She was always just so sweet and loving. When it came for me to move and buy my own place and to get my first dog on my own...it was no surprise that my pup, Callie is almost identical to Fudgie as a pup. I even have people ask if they are mother and daughter.

I wish I had more of Fudgie's puppy pictures to share with you at this time...but they are at my parents home. I hope that you all experience the unconditional love that a pet brings. It is the best kind. I am a better human being because of knowing Fudgie and a better owner to Callie because of her. I will always love my first dog more than any other. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for chasing me. For sitting with me. For licking my tears away. For making me laugh. I am glad you are no longer suffering. Thank you for making my mom happy and for the light you brought into all of our lives.

Fudgie 

1996 - 2011

Real Life to Runway

So I am going to try something a little new tie my personal post with my fashion post together. I'd love your feedback.

This is week two of my boss' vacation which normally is great - it gives me a lot of time to catch up on things I have not been able to in all the hustle and bustle of normal work load. And I have gotten caught up and been able to get a little bit ahead of the game on some of my tasks but I was given quite a load to accomplish in the two weeks span. So after work I called my mom just to talk about the day and all. That is when my mom told me that our 15 year old dog, Fudgie wasn't doing well. That all last night she was pacing and today she didn't eat. It has been a bad day. We knew this was coming, the vet had given her only 2 months to live...but I've been in denial despite knowing it was coming I just didn't want it to happen. I love her so much and she is such a part of our family. Later this evening my mom called to tell me that Fudgie had continued to get worse and they would be taking her to the vet tomorrow morning...she is on pain killers to ease her pain, but if you could keep us in your prayers. My mom especially that dog is like her third child.

Once I got home from work I walked my pup...of course I am loving on her a little bit extra with the news of Fudgie...especially since Callie looks so much like Fudgie did when she was a pup. Then I did some HOA duties, exciting and thrilling I know. For dinner I sauteed some kale and tomatoes - it was the first time I sauteed kale and to be honest I like it baked better and a small bite of baked chicken.


Now onto the fashion...
If you are like me you drool over runway designers like Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs...the list goes on and on and on.

Well fresh from the runway is this amazing Alexander McQueen dress. 

Photo Credit

This dress will cost you the equivalent of a mortgage and as amazing this dress  is and as amazing as Alexander McQueen is it is a basic black cowl dress with some great structure, mind you. But $1,680 worth of great structure?

There is always a way to dress sharp and look like the runway without spending your rent money. The photo quality is not great, but look beyond that and at the dress. 

Photo Credit

As you can see the structure of this dress us much different and the quality of the material is probably not as high quality as the Alexander McQueen...but it works, right? $99 compared to $1600 which are you going to pick?

Cruel Summer

It is HOT HOT HOT outside...but lets not kid ourselves it is not hotter this year than it was last year. And also don't tell me that when you were all bundled up after our third snow storm you were not wishing it was summer. Seasons come and seasons go! And we are smack in the middle of a hot summer. 

Well summer doesn't have to be oh so cruel. With stores getting their shelves stocked for fall...yes, it is cooky, designers will even tell you the seasons get mixed up but what does that mean for you? That even though we are in midst of summer and still have some summer to go you can get some great summer steals for your wardrobe. 

Take Ann Taylor for insistence there is a 50% off sale on their already marked 50% off items! 

You read that right. 

I know that emails from department stores and designers and all those different places you shop can get annoying and clog up your email but when sales like that happen it is TOTALLY worth it....isn't it? What I would recommend is either have a second email address so your personal emails don't get lost in a sea of sales and nonsense or just do a mass delete and read only headlines. Because a headline should tell you everything you need to know. So hit up your favorite stores and those sale racks because it maybe hot enough to fry an egg but the a/c is cool and the summer sales are HOT HOT HOT!! 

To Turban or Not

Ever since I saw the turban on The Man Repeller I've been coveting it and trying to decide if I could pull it off. My final decision on the matter is just to just pick one and rock it with confidence....well once the weather cools off, because if I put one on now I am pretty sure my head would explode.

Here are a few I have found on Etsy.

Betty, Urban Turban

This polka-dot turban is absolutely adorable...however the polka dots would limit what it is worn with and that is my only concern with purchasing this turban.

Turban Twist Headband

I love the simplistic look of this turban - meaning the lack of polka dots - now you are all going to think I am extremely picky when I say I don't think I want to wear a white turban. Since I am always wearing make-up I know that it would be all over it.

Leopard Print Turban

I am pretty much in love with this turban...for fall! I think this is a top contender. I am all about some leopard print and then you pair it with a turban and it is an incredible fun piece.

Black as Night Turban

You cannot go wrong with black! Another top contender to purchase.

Berry Turban

I wonder how many times I've said that I love the color red in my blog...or how long it would take for me to count. Anyways, this red turban is one of the three turbans of the top contenders I am considering.

What do you think of the turban? Would you wear it?

Weekend Away

So this post took me over a week to write/post/load pictures. Lame-O! I know. 

If you follow me on Twitter, then you were probably on overload from my traveling tweets, last weekend. Being on the road for hours on end and staying in a small town my phone was my sanity at some points. I had such an incredible time with my dad. I cannot begin to tell you all how much I cherished the time I spent with my dad last weekend. So let this post finally begin. It took me long enough, I know.

We became rednecks for the weekend

On the way to Pennsylvania we had a bit of car drama. My dad rolled down his window and then there was a sound of crunch and it woud not roll back up! Apparently the window came off of the track and we were in a very small town...New Market, VA. So Jeff from Randy's Hardware Store hooked us up. Cut a piece of plexi-glass to fit the window and duct taped it to the car.  Yes, duct tape the fix all.

The river in Everette, PA

Once we arrived in Breezewood we headed to my Dad's sister's place in Everette and took a brisk walk along the river before we headed to dinner at the Original Pizza House. The three of us shared a large pizza...and by large it was more like an extra extra large by Papa Johns or Pizza Hut's standard. After dinner I enjoyed hearing my dad and Kay reminisce and piece memories together.

With my dad and 90 year old grandma!

On Friday we had breakfast with some of my dad's siblings and grandmother. The whole reason for the trip was to celebrate her 90th birthday. 90! Wowzier. The place we ate breakfast....it was interesting. But the company is what matters, am I right? I must say that my stomach was angry most of the time.

After breakfast we went to the dam/water shop...my grandmother's favorite spot. We spent quite some time there just relaxing and feeding the ducks. We headed back to Everette in hopes of hitting up some small town shops with no luck they were all closed before 4. I did score a cute little chair that needs a little TLC at yard sale. Since all the shops were closed early we ate dinner early at the Union hotel.

This is my fave picture of the weekend

Saturday was my grandmother's 90th birthday party. The picture above is my dad and is sister. While we were eating lunch all the siblings began telling stories and reminiscing of childhood memories. It was so fun to listen to!

Kettle Korn Stand

On our way home we made a pit stop to see my dad's sister and her husband's kettle korn stand at the Apple Shop. It was fun to watch.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial 

Our 2nd pit stop was DC! It was a much longer pit stop...2.5 hours a sprint through DC. I have never been. It was so much fun, but very HOT!

I have to say that I was disappointed that the reflecting pool was empty for restoration. Empty can you believe it! It was definitely a long trip home, we had some issues with the redneck fix for the window and hit a little bit of traffic on the way out of DC. We got back to my parents house at about 10-ish. And I got back to my house after loading up the pup and  my luggage an hour later. It was such a GREAT trip! And it only took an entire week for me to do the post about it.

Unacceptable.

I've come back from my fun weekend and my boss is gone this weekend...you would think I would have some free blog time...except my window to post a blog has looked like this pretty much all week.

Hopefully tonight I can change this!

On The Road: DC Pit Stop

My dad and I made quite an ambitious pit stop on our way back to Charlotte. We stopped in DC and did a 2.5 hr walking tour. Let me just say we are smelly now...it was a nice but hot day in DC. I've got lots of pictures to share, but here are a few mobile snap shots.

On The Road: The Trip Home

My dads sister and her husband run a kettle korn stand at the Apple Shop in VA. Our pit stop #1 on the way home. So fun.

On The Road

I have been in Pennsylvania since Thursday - so that was yesterday - my internal time clock/calendar always gets messed up on out of town. Does that happen to anyone else? My dad and I are visiting his family, which is nice because we do not see them enough. However, we are in small town, USA...all of the shops closed between 4-6 on a Friday. So we ate an early dinner. I did manage to stop at this yard sale at a ministry house or something and bought the cutest chair that just needs a little TLC. Can't wait to show you all.

River in Everett, PA

I managed to find my camera charger before leaving...except I forgot my USB hook-up. Go figure, right?! So I am going to share a few cell phone pictures. If you want to follow my vaca comments - just follow on Twitter. Tomorrow is my grandmother's 90th birthday celebration before we head back to North Carolina.

A park at a dam...near Altuna, PA - I think...

Okay, lovelies...my computer has a big red X over the battery and only minutes left...so I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. Can't wait to share more when I get back home.

A Fouth of July in Paris

As Americans on the 4th we shot off fireworks, BBQ'd, sang songs about the stars and stripes (as we should celebrate with pride) and then dragged ourselves into work on the 5th wishing we had one more day off to recover from the festivities. All the while France was beaming with fashion in the city of lights and not just ready-to-wear fashion, but couture. Makes my just shiver with delight thinking about the extraordinary shows taking place in Paris.

Let's take a little sneak peek at what has been happening so far....on the July 4 & 5 design houses Alexis Mabille, Anne Valérie Hash, Armani Privé, Bouchra Jarrar, Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, and Givenchy showed their collections. Today Chanel, Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maxime Simoens, and Valentino took to the runway. I know you are all dying to look at photographs taken from the Chanel collection so why not just start with the best.

Chanel
Photo Credit

I think the post is complete with just a few snap shots of the Chanel collection....plus I set myself a time to be in bed by midnight. It just sounds nicer to say that Chanel deserves the close out the show for the evening, don't you think? Tomorrow you will journey into a few more shows and see what surprises the runway has in-store for us. I am already giddy! 

Goodnight my fashion lovers xoxo.