How to have the Perfectley Imperfect Home!

A couple of my favorite past times are decorating, and reading. So when I came across a book recently, I just knew I had to buy it. It is called The Perfectly Imperfect Home, by Deborah Needleman. It has some great ideas on how to decorate each room in your home, and make even the smallest of rooms look amazing! Now you may think that you could never have the perfect house, but that's the key to this book. It doesn't need to be perfect, it needs to look "lived in" but just with a little pizazz.  The goal is to make your home personal and comfortable and highly functional. Luxury is simply what makes you happy. A really good sofa, can change a whole rooms atmosphere. Even the side tables are really important, you need a pretty presentation on them too. Fresh cut flowers, books, even a teacup and saucer add a little bit of personality to each room. 

 Pools of light that come from well placed lamps is always key, it gives dimension to any room. Throw pillows, baskets, mirrors, all of these things add style an flare to your homes. Not everything you decorate with has to be brand new, I for one love antique stores. So mix old and new together it give it that Shabby Chic look, which is really classy. Don't forget color! A bright hue of color on the walls can make any room feel fresh and updated. 

There is nothing more wonderful than being a guest in a home where the room has perfectly pressed fresh linens and a basket with amenities for the bath. Don't forget to have good lighting and the most up to date magazines. Your guests will be so grateful!!

I hope that this has given all of you some thought about making each and everyone of your homes Perfectly Imperfect! It sure has for me!!

Just Admit It. It Must Be A Girl Crush!

Now I am sure by now you all are scratching your heads wandering if you should even read this blog post, but I assure you it's not what you think. A "girl crush" is, a phrase that many women in their 20's and 30's use in conversation, post on blogs and read in magazines. It refers to that fervent infatuation that one heterosexual woman develops for another woman who may seem impossibly sophisticated, gifted, beautiful or accomplished. And while a girl crush is, by its informal definition, not sexual in nature, the feelings that it triggers - excitement, nervousness, a sense of novelty - are very much like those that accompany a new romance. So now I can ask you. Have you ever had one? I know I have! In grade school and on through my 7th grade year, there was a girl we will call "A.L." that I so badly wanted to be like. She was popular, kind, and basically everything I wanted to be. I loved her clothes, hair, everything. So I started to emulate her style, but I gave it my own twist. I started to be more outgoing. Even after high school, I met women who made an impact on who I am today and they do not even know it.

                                                           

 See a "girl crush" is the way you start looking towards women you want to be like, and you can have a girl crush on someone you’ve just met, on someone you’ve admired from afar or even on a celebrity you have no chance of meeting in real life. Of course, meeting your crush is not necessarily the point; this is the reason you don’t generally develop girl crushes on women you’ve already befriended—the allure of a crush is sometimes the person’s unattainability. Your fascination is with the image you’ve created, not with the reality. Sometimes, you can't help but be attracted to qualities or characteristics in other women, whether they're qualities you want or not. But take note: a girl crush cannot be in your current group of friends. This is someone you admire from some kind of distance, like a co-worker, classmate, or old friend that you haven't seen or spoken to in years. Girl crushes fulfill certain voids, like your want for a new wardrobe or that auburn hair color that no hair colorist could ever duplicate.

 So, what should you do about your secret crush? Enjoy it, but use it as a catalyst for something good. Sign up for that Spanish language class you always thought about, and start planning your next vacation to Argentina. Or, tell that fashionista how much you admire her bold, trendy style. Make your girl crush's day, and tell her how awesome you think she is (unless it's someone you really don't associate with, in which case your profession of love could translate as creepy). Take inspiration from others and apply them to your own life. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all. At the end of the day, remember to love who you are. And then wonder who could be girl-crushing on you ..

I finally found my dress!

I told all of you recently that my older sister Talitha is getting married in the spring, and I had been looking all over for a dress worthy of the occasion. I finally found it! It is hard for a plus size woman to find nice looking clothing, all they have are moo moo's (seriously!) I wasn't satisfied with anything online, until I came across this website  www.igigi.com. At first I wasn't to thrilled with their products, because I am pretty conservative in the way that I dress, and they had hip hugging/short dresses and I do not do that! Then I came across this beauty!

The best part is that it can be strapless, or with straps! I'm probably going to go with straps, and scene the wedding is going to be on the beach I am going to be wearing sandals with some bling to them! I am so excited!!!

Mama, Mama Can't you see..

Here she is ladies and gentlemen, SR Talena Epling! We made the trip north to Waukegan IL. Thursday morning about 6 AM EST for Talena's graduation from boot camp that took place on the 20th. We ran into the snow storm that was hitting the northern parts of the states, (have I ever said how much I dislike snow/rain before?) It was supposed to be a 10 hour drive (yes we drove) but it turned into a 12-13 hour trip. We woke up at 4:30 on the 20th to get ready and be at the base by 7 AM. Let me tell you, it was FREEZING that morning! We waited and waited for the groups to arrive, we sat in the front to have a good view of her. It was a really good program that they Naval Base put on. When the gates opened and the groups came walking in, there she was! Mom cried, then I cried, and everyone around us was crying! It was so good to see her, she looked really good too! Shaun, her husband had the biggest smile on his face when he saw her, it was so sweet! 

After the ceremony, Talena decided to celebrate she wanted to eat at the Cheesecake Factory (YUM!) It wasn't snowing that bad, but it had started to pick up. So while we were inside foundering ourselves on some amazing food, old man winter decided to give us a present we weren't to thrilled about.

It started an stayed that way the rest of the time we were there! NASTY is what it was! Talena had to be back on base by 18:00 (oh yeah Talena doesn't say 6 o'clock anymore by the way lol) Then to top it off she was to be up and at Midway airport by 01:30!! So here we get up at 1 AM to meet her there to see her off to San Antonio, where she will be doing her training. We walked into a sea of Navy Blue (literally) at the airport!

 Poor Nener (Talena's nickname) had all of these bags she had to carry. Yes carry, not drag or hold CARRY! I couldn't even pick the big green one on her back up! Sheesh! We waited until the plane left before we started out 10 hour trip back home ourselves. I am so happy that I was able to go, where I am sick and have been for awhile now, I wasn't for sure if I was going to be able to. Everyone please keep Talena in your thoughts and prayers as she continues her training to be a medic!

There's something about a sharp dressed man! Swoon!

I know, you must be singing that song in your mind by now. (ZZ TOP) There is something, about a sharp dressed man though. Morgan and I have talked about this a lot lately. Around the area that we live/grew up in, guys don't really put an effort into the way they dress. To see a man walking towards me with a pair of nice jeans. and a sweater on, just about make my heart skip a beat! Does it you? I know clothes do no make the man, but it adds that je ne sais qua to him. Guys, don't let it end there though, good hygiene, a great hair cut, all of these things just adds to your appeal! They same should go for us ladies also! You have to put and effort into the way you look. I know this first hand. I have been going through a period, up until recently that I thought "who cares?" Well for starters, YOU SHOULD! Not only do you feel better about yourself, people respect you more. Now I know that may sound judgmental, but it is true. When you see a woman out in public who is dressed well, has her make-up and hair done. Doesn't she seem to have a little skip in her step compared to the woman that just crawled out of bed, and didn't even bother to change out of her pajamas? Of course she does! When you feel better about yourself, you start to feel better about a lot more things. I know it takes baby steps, but a least try (like me!) I felt really down and depressed when no one would ever pay me any attention, I would say things like "What does she have that I don't?" "She" had that oomph to her, she had to WANT to get up and make her day as good as possible, by starting off with loving herself and the way she looked! So ladies and gentlemen, this was just something to make us all think about! 

                                                    

             (Examples of what NOT to look like)

                        (Examples of what TO look like!)

Kil'n Time with a good friend!

A couple of weekends ago my friend Morgan and I finally went to Kil'n Time a ceramics studio in Bristol, TN. We had been talking about going for the longest time, it was my first time, Morgan's second. I had a blast, even though my martini glass changed color 3 times!! Morgan totally showed me up, with her free handed dragon. Everyone kept coming over to our table to look at her masterpiece, and I would be like look at mine! This would be a great place for a first date, it has a great atmosphere and you would have plenty of time to get to know each other. It takes awhile to paint your piece, because you need to do a couple of layers. They will send off your piece to be glazed, and you can come and get it in 4 to 5 business days. Bristol is a great city, there is quite a bit to do not only in the "new" part, but also in old town. The Blackbird Bakery is a MUST to be visited when you come to town. We ate at the renovated and reopened Burger Bar. They say that this is the last place that Hank Williams Sr. was seen in public before he passed away. So with all of that being said here are some pics that Morgan's mother took of us 

                                         

**Burr, it's a cold one!**

Well here in mountains we got some snow, and it is CHILLY WILLY! Of Course I had to get out my trusty pea coat and wool Burberry scarf to bundle up this morning, while heading to work. I wish we had snow scheduled! I will not complain though, for it is the beginning of the weekend! So lets toast to it, and make it a good one. I for one plan on making homemade soup and just relaxing. On Sunday I will be watching my Memaw, which right I want to more than ever. This past week has been pretty hectic in my Memaw's life. She fell last week and broke her nose, and ended up in the E.R. They ran blood an other tests as usual, the blood test came back bad. Tuesday night my mother told me that the doctor had called and told her that my Memaw has bladder cancer. She just turned 91 about 2 weeks ago, and she has Alzheimer, so she doesn't really understand it all. I ask all of you just to say a little prayer, or just send her/us good thoughts this next few weeks and months ahead. She will be having surgery on the 26th, but they are not planning on doing any other treatments afterwards. I am in good spirits, but I have a great family and I have been listening to so really up beat songs lately. I am really loving this artist from England named Ellie Goulding, everyone needs to check her out. Here are a couple of my favorite songs. Enjoy!

I hope you all have a safe and great weekend!