A little bit of this...and that

Happy Saturday readers!  Are you excited for game day?  If you are a UGA fan or a UF fan I know you are.  Hunker down you hairy dawgs and beat those gators (is all I have to say)!! I got up early this morning, went for a run, had a cup of tea and got to thinking about existing vs living.  It's something I think about a lot.  I know there are times when we all just go through the motions and do what has to be done.  I equate it to walking around in a fog.   You are there and things are really happening but you aren't truly present for them.  I think (at least I hope) this happens to all of us from time to time.  We check out because life is too hard, too overwhelming, too raw or too uncomfortable to deal with.  We head into the fog without realizing we are until we've come out the other side.   I have to tell you I resent the fog!  I look back on the times when I've just existed as a loss of precious time/days/memories.  I love being present, feeling connected

Happy Day my lovely readers!   How are you?  Sorry I have been a little slack about blogging this week but I've been slammed with work, going out of town, all things cool-cat and enjoying fall.   I hope this edition of what's what makes up for my absence!   xoxo 1.  Real Clear Politics With all things politics riveting the world I thought I would tell you about one of my favorite sites right now.  It is called real clear politics.  It gathers the best bi-partisan articles, polls etc. and puts them in one easy, digestible place.  If you are interested in what's going on with all things politics check out real clear politics! http://www.realclearpolitics.com 2.  Tazo Zen Tea I am currently obsessed with drinking tea (I'm working on my caffeine habit).  My favorite right now is tazo's zen tea!  I drink it all the time at home and love picking it up at Starbucks.  Give it a try and you will be a devotee for sure! 3.  Homeland So the best show y

Happy Saturday this and thatters! What are you doing today?  Are you football watching, cleaning, running around to birthday parties? Today isn't your typical Saturday for me or my family.  Today is the day we are burying my grandfather, Pete.  We had to wait to do his service for a number of reasons (that I won't bore you with) and now it is here.  I keep thinking how much he would have loved that all of us were in Foley and all of us were together.  He would have loved that it is a beautiful, warm day and the sun is shining.  He would love that after the service we are all going to have a meal (and some adult beverages) and tell stories about him.  In planning his service I kept thinking what would make Pete proud?  What would he want done?  I hope we will make him proud today.  I hope he sees all of us gathered in his honor and I hope he is smiling down on us.  Most of all I hope today heals my heart a little bit.  I hope that today is a happy time, celebrating a gre

Hello there!  How are you today? I, for one, am all over fall and all things FALL!  Our house is decorated, I'm making soup every chance I get and I changed out my closets this past weekend. But don't think I'm not already thinking about Christmas and how I'm going to decorate my mantle and table.  I'm also calculating in my head how many pieces of Christmas china I need to ask my mom for to complete my set :)  I wanted to share with you my fall decor most of which I picked up at publix, pottery barn and target.  I also snapped up the cutest wreath at Ballard (they are having an amazing sale until Oct 22 on all things Christmas) that I can't wait to use for Christmas.  Enjoy!  xoxo

Happy Day This and Thatters!  How are you? I've been thinking a lot lately about stepping out on faith and seeking a relationship with God.  (if this isn't your thing you might want to stop reading now, just giving you fair warning) On my computer I have two bible verses Jeremiah 29:11-13 and 2 Timothy 3:14-15.  While they are different verses their message is the same, have faith and seek him first.  My favorite line is in the Jeremiah verse "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."  I love that line because to me it means seeking him with completeness.  Not saying a prayer on a whim like I do all day every day.  I catch myself saying "please God don't let me hit my husband's truck"  "please God give me the energy to get out of this bed"  "please God let me make it to this meeting on time" I find myself seeking God but normally when it is convenient for me and normally when I need something in a

Happy Monday!  I can't believe how quickly the weekend flew by, can you?  I'm at my desk answering emails and clearing my desk.  I hope this edition of what's what cheers up your Monday!  xoxo 1.  The Swanky Stitch Is the cutest idea!  Katie Gibbs makes custom skirts from the fabric of your choice and to your exact measurements (how genius is that).  I ordered one with white and grey polka dots and I know I will wear it all winter!  Check her out on FB at The Swanky Stitch to see all her fabrics and place your order.  You won't be sorry :) 2.   Swell Caroline Besides loving their name :)  they have the cutest jewelry!  I love all their monogram pieces and their costume jewelry.  I also love how they are stacking tons of adorable bracelets together right now, some monogram some not.  I also adore their price point!  Check them out. 3.  Tortilla Soup I have been all about making soup in the crock pot lately!  I stumbled upon this super easy,

How are the working girls this week?! I have been busy at my normal every day job and also helping out the hubs with his business venture, Cool-Cat (www.coolcatpro.com) In my wildest dreams I never thought I would work with my hubs.  I love the hubs beyond words but us working together wasn't something I envisioned.  We get along so well, probably because we are so much alike, so I worried we would butt heads.   Truth be told...WE HAVE, WE DO and WE  WILL!  Ha!   We disagree because sometimes we look at the same issue and feel differently or we disagree about how to tackle the issue/problem/opportunity altogether.  I will say it again I never thought I would work with my spouse so I haven't been prepared for how it can impact all areas of your relationship. At some point we had to have a big discussion about boundaries!  And at some point we just had to have a discussion.  My dad gives me the best advice in business and relationships, his tip "communicate, commun

Happy Day readers! I am soo excited it finally feels like fall in the ATL.  Aren't you? I did a little shopping this weekend and loved all the sales that were going on.  So here is my very special edition of fall must have items (that are all on sale), get excited! xoxo 1.  Banana Republic Boots I have to confess that my current leather black boots have seen there better day.  I bought them on a girls trip to NYC about 6 years ago and it was time to upgrade.  I found these amazing boots at BR and they were on sale!  I can't wait to wear them with a great sweater dress or with a cute top and jeans.  2.  J.Crew Skirt Sometimes I have a hard time finding cute skirts.  I don't know if I am built weird or what but they never seem to fit me just right.  I was super excited to find this adorable skirt and J.Crew this weekend.  It was on sale with an additional 25% off and it comes in the cutest colors!  I snapped up the red, purple and black.  They will be my

Happy Weekend my lovely readers! I have to tell you that I thought about naming this blog a number of things and most of them were taken...imagine that!  :)  I wanted the name to be a representation of my favorite things but also allow me to talk about whatever came to my mind.  I settled on this and that and it seems to be doing the trick but from time to time I think maybe I should have named it red wine and chocolate, as they are two of my most favorite things!   A lot of people joke on me about my love of wine and that's ok, I like some joking!  The reason why I love wine is that it is a great way to relax and unwind at the end of the day.  I love the way it can bring out the taste in food and pull a meal together.  I love sitting on the porch at the end of a long day and having a glass of wine with the hubs.  Somehow when we do it with water it just doesn't feel the same :)   I also love, love chocolate!  Who doesn't?  All this halloween candy is going to add s

How are all the book worms today?? It is getting to by that time of year when I hibernate and read tons and tons of books so get excited!  I hope you enjoy what's on my nightstand!  xoxo 1.  How God Changes Your Brain Is probably my favorite book right now!  It is written by a therapist and neuroscientist (hello smart dudes).  The book is so thought provoking because it talks about the many positive things that occur when you have a relationship with God and that relationship is a positive force in your life.  Their findings are that it actually changes your brain for the good and the impact to your life is limitless.  This might seem a bit out there but pick it up and you won't be sorry! 2.  Gone Girl My mother recommended this book to me because she knows I love a great mystery!  She also warned me (and wants me to warn you) that there is a lot of cursing in this book but the story makes up for it.  :) I couldn't put this book down and literally fini

Happy Day! I am so excited that it's October but a bit worried about how fast September flew by!  Was that just me? I have found some amazing items for this week's what's what, enjoy!  xoxo 1.  Madewell Top I am loving me some Madewell lately.  I just think they do things so well and at a great price point!  Someone gave me a gift certificate to Madewell the other day and I couldn't help but snap up this adorable top.  I can't wait to wear this with some black jeans and leopard flats! 2.  Hay Market Designs With all things political being on every one's mind I stumbled upon this adorable koozies at hay market designs!  No matter who your family and friends are pulling for there is something for everyone.  :)  3.  Outstanding in the Field Is an amazing farm to table idea that is holding events across the country!  They are making a stop outside of Atlanta and I can't wait to experience it.  Wednesday October 10, 2012 Rivervi

Ok this and theaters it is confession time....I sometimes don't follow directions!  Yikes. For the most part I am a person who follows directions and does exactly what I am told.  The hubs laughs at me because he constantly tells me that I don't have to get my oil changed on the exact date the little sticker says, I don't have to throw out the milk on the exact date (if it smells ok), you get the idea.  I do what I am told. Sadly I don't always do this when it comes to what the doc says....I'm praying I'm not the only one.  As you may know I have recently hurt my foot and am walking around in a boot...yes a huge boot :)   Unfortunately I started experiencing some pain last night and a lot of the bruising hasn't gone away.  I called the doc this morning and by coincidence his name is Dr. Womack.  He is very nice and no nonsense and when I told him what I was experiencing he asked me if I still had the green sheet that gave me all the directions on how t

Wow, it has been a while since I have done a working girl rules entry!  I have missed them.  :) This week I thought about knowing your enemy in the work place.  It always seems that no matter where you work, what you do there can be drama.  Some of it necessary and justifiable even, most of it not.  I got to thinking about enemies in the work place.  Often times your enemy in the work place can be an actual person or God forbid people.  Other times the enemy is you.  People don't often believe this but I was extremely shy growing up and still am in a lot of situations.  I normally overcompensate for this by being extremely outgoing.  The one thing about being shy is that it makes you a great observer.  You often see things that others don't and pick up on signs, body language that other people miss.  This can be a blessing and a curse.  It often leads to me seeing things that I wish I hadn't or getting my feelings hurt.  The hubs and I can leave the same situation w