All shaken up...but in a good way

"The truth is there are a million steps, and we don't even know what the steps are, and worse, at any given moment we may not be willing or even able to take them; and still worse, they are different for you and me and they are always changing. I have come to believe the sooner we find this truth beautiful, the sooner we will fall in love with the God who KEEPS SHAKING THINGS UP, keeps changing the path, keeps rocking the boat TO TEST OUR FAITH in Him, teaching us not to rely on easy answers, magic mantras, or genies, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy, and His love."
 -Donald Miller

photo from Alabama Daily Photo blogspot

The cat's meow

So with Halloween right around the corner I have partaken in my yearly groans of not wanting to dress up and complaining about being costume-less throughout the past week.

However, I had a costume epiphany yesterday while sitting in my art history class studying the classic "American Gothic".

Why not put to use the little black sequined number I recently used for Victoria Beckham, add some pearls, a sequined flapper headband, more pearls, some smoky eye makeup, and a pair of heels....

Now, which way to the speakeasy, please?

So, I was pretty impressed with not only my resourcefulness with this costume but also the fact that I had decided on an idea five days PRIOR to halloween.

And to my delight, Gossip Girl seemed to be experiencing a nostalgia for the prohibition era as well last night. Thank you Blair, for the killer idea for a hat; Olivia, you stole my dress; and Jenny, well, thank you for showing me what NOT to wear.

Also, my "So You Think You Can Dance" enthusiast mother just informed me that the opening number in the show last night also featured a "roarin' 20's" themed number.

The inspiration keeps falling in my lap.

Six cookies a day keeps the weight away

A cookie diet weight loss program?

That was definitely a NYTimes headline that caught my eye.

Dr. Siegel's cookie diet, which includes six pre-packaged cookies per day that contain a high content of fiber and protein along with one "real" meal such as boneless chicken and steamed vegetables has helped a legal secretary in Washington drop 40 pounds in three months.

The catch? Well the pre-packaged cookies are $56 per week. But with the support of starts like Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson endorsing the diet, the trend is sure to catch on.

As long as the cookies can be chocolate chip, count me in.

Polo at the Point...wait...in Alabama?

The closest I have ever been to attending a polo match was in front of my television on a Monday night Gossip Girl session ogling over the lithe athletic performance of professional polo players in the background of an argument between Dan and Vanessa...Since then I have made it one of my life goals to attend a match.

Well, perhaps I am closer to achieving this goal than I thought. Garden and Gun just informed me of a charity Polo Match taking place in Alabama--this weekend!

If only I didn't have plans to bury myself in my GRE study books on Saturday and Sunday...

I need a breather

After a long email day at Southern Living over custom-made doors, kitchen hardware, and pottery featured in the October issue, and a Media Law midterm in a foreign legal vernacular that stretches my brain to its maximum capacity, I need a refresher. I need to be reminded of the creative, the whimsical, the beautiful....

Cue, Haskell Harris, the Associate Editor of Garden and Gun magazine and her easy-going yet flawless blog called Belle Decor.

I adore Haskell and absolutely was thrilled to discover her adorable cottage in Birmingham (before she left us for Charleston) was featured Southern Living back in April...before I knew who she was. I am taking notes for when I finally have an apartment/condominium/home/something that does not include the word dormitory in its title.

Haskell's latest post went into detail of a Houston soiree thrown in her honor. Take a look at some of the party pics if you, too, are in need of a reminder that there is life outside of senior thesis, midterms, and sociology reading assignments that make one cross-eyed.

May I offer my salutations?

                                                   


I noticed a slight skip in my step walking in and out of work today. This bolt of energy and sense of anticipation must be from the beautiful weather Birmingham has been blessed with this week, and the fact that fall has FINALLY arrived.

Hello October, I have been waiting for you. Now I can begin concocting my autumn shopping list….all the things I WOULD purchase, of course if I had the means:)

Mums…only in the golden fiery hues. 

A big fat pumpkin…I saw some of the biggest ones I have ever seen at the Mountain Brook Western yesterday. 

Candy Corn…I know, I still act like I am five years old. 

A tall non-fat chai tea latte, please! Well, I must admit, I succumbed to purchasing this item this morning. It is literally fall in a cup.

Frye boots…A girl can dream, right?

A grilled pimiento cheese sandwich…I don’t know if this has anything to do with fall, but Southern Living had an article for the perfect recipe on the wall this morning. How could anyone top Gilchrist’s Grilled Pimiento with lettuce and tomato on wheat?

A bonfire…with S'mores, heavy on the Hershey's.

A chilly football game…Alabama vs. Kentucky this weekend? Anyone?

A Halloween costume…I panic every year to find the perfect ensemble…any good ideas?

Pat Conroy’s new book, South of Broad with Needtobreathe’s new album playing on my ipod…because Charleston is wonderful (stay tuned for a post on my trip to this breathtakingly perfect coastal city) and because Needtobreathe has been on repeat on my ipod since August, so why should I change it up now?

P.S. If you need a little bit of autumnal inspiration, check out Steve Bender's story in Southern Living's October issue.