The End

Writing this last blog post is hard, much harder than I ever though it would be. It is like writing the end of a book. How do you want it to end? It is the first post people will be seeing for a long time and I feel like I owe you all something more than just saying goodbye. I am still not sure how to define my end either, which also makes this hard. Though I am unsure it is really the ultimate end for this blog right now that is how I am treating. I may be back later in the summer, I may be back in six months, I may be back in two years or I may just pop in randomly every now and again, but for right now this is it. This is the end. So, here goes...

Last week I saw Kristin Chenoweth in concert and as soon as she started singing "For Good" I knew that is how I needed to close this door in my life:

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason 
Bringing something we must learn 
And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
 Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, 
but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you..."

This blog and my readers have really changed me and taught me so much! I am able to say with complete confidence that you each came into my life for a reason. I know many of you likely do not feel the same, but  after lots of time, thought and prayer, I know this to be a fact. I have grown and matured over the past four and a half years (just take a look through my photos and see my hairstyles....) due in part to this journey of which you have been an important part. You all have taught me so much about life and myself (yes, even you mean commentors). When I was laying in bed last night shedding a few tears (even though I know this is the best decision for me right now it is still hard) I started to think about all the people this blog has introduced me to and how much I have learned from each of you. I thought about how nervous I was before I met my first reader in real life...Blair taught me that meeting people on the internet was not all that strange after all. I thought about how I celebrated along side Tricia and Dee when they shared their miraculous news with me....they taught me that you sometimes have to wait for the good things in life. I thought about Muffy...she taught me that you can talk to someone almost daily for four years and when you meet them in person it they are still even better than you imagined. I thought about Susan and Kerry...they taught me that you really can make your dream business a reality. I thought about Bethany, KK and Marianne....they reiterated that you do not have to have a significant other to define who you are. I thought about Sydney, Royar and Carly...in their young age they taught me to enjoy life a little more because high school, college and soon, my 20's, will be over in the blink of an eye. I thought about Nina, Kristen and Erin...they taught me how wonderful motherhood will be someday. I thought about Alice, Wendy and Linda (two readers without blogs)...they taught me that good taste never goes out of style, no matter your age. I thought about Melissa, Melissa, Katie and Emily....they taught me that you can meet your best friends in the most unexpected places. I thought about all of you...you each have collectively taught me so much about life and myself and I thank you for that.

When I started this blog on March 31st, 2008 I never dreamed I would one day be able to say that something that seemed so petty at the time would one day come to mean SO much to me. I have been so blessed on this journey and I thank God at the end of every day for all He has given me. I have met women I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise. I have been on the front page of papers and even on national TV. I have been introduced to brands that are now some of my very favorites. I have been invited to events that I would never in a million years scored invites to otherwise. And I have met some of my very best friends.

Many of you have emailed me over the years asking me how these things just seem to fall into my lap. While I may not be the best about replying to emails I do read them all and try to address them in some form. It still sometimes blows my mind what so many people ask me for blogging advice. I still really am flying by the seat of my pants to be honest. However, in ending I thought I would share what I have learned with you all on this journey in hopes that you too might be able to apply it to your blog or life. So, here is my advice to all of you:

*Be true to yourself in every situation. Blog about what YOU like and what YOU want to write about. It is YOUR blog and your life after all. It is obvious to me when bloggers write just to write because their heart is not in a post. I quickly go on to the next blog when this is the case. So, find your niche (not the niche you think you should be in) and roll with it.
*Be selective. Remember that you do NOT have to write about every company that emails you.
*Relating to the above tidbit, unless I feel strongly about something, I always wait for people to reach out to me. Unless blogging is your full time job there seems to be no need to constantly be contacting companies. They are the ones getting the free exposure anyway so let them be the one to reach out to you. I promise it will make your blog seem so much more rewarding when you get those emails.
*Do not worry about the numbers/sponsors/giveaways. If that is what you yearn for just keep up your hard work and everything else will eventually follow. Also, be advised that having and hosting events with companies is way more work and much more time consuming than any blogger makes it out to be.
*Be realistic with your expectations. Let's face it, there is already a Julia and Julia and Pioneer Woman.
*Get to know other bloggers they just might become your new best friends! Also, do not take Twitter for granted. It is a great resource is getting to know others.
*Do not feel like you have to spend a lot of money to create a "successful" blog. I have made all my headers and graphics myself. I found it was much easier to achieve the exact look I wanted after doing some Googling. They might not be as perfect as if I paid $150, but they are me and they are mine.
*Do not let the haters get to you. As Taylor Swift said: "people throw rocks at things that shine."
*Blogging is not all about creating a brand. If you start off that way you will lose track of what really matters. I for one can tell you that today, even though all the perks have been marvelous, it is the relationships I have made that matter the most.
*Live your life first, then blog. Do not live your life for your blog.
*Follow your heart and your dreams will become a reality!

"It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime.

 So let me say before we part 

So much of me is made of what I learned from you.

 You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. 

And now whatever way our stories end 

I know you have re-written mine by being my friend...

Because I knew you I have been changed for good."

I think it is safe to say that blogging has changed my life and for the better. However, all good things must come to an end eventually. When a a door closes it simply means that another can then open. I have no idea what might be in store for me in the months and years to come, but I know I will always look back on this time in my life and smile. Thank you all for an AMAZING four and a half years! You have brightened my dark days with your comments, tweets and emails. You have taught me about myself and who I am. You have inspired me with your ideas. You have helped me be a better person. You have each changed me for good!

Mimi's Shower

I truly cannot believe it is already May 31st and this is my second to last post. Time certainly has flown by! Be sure to check back later for a wrap-up, until then enjoy this eye candy.

One of the reasons my mother and I arrived in Americus several days prior to Mimi's wedding was because she was hosting Mimi's bridesmaid luncheon along with some dear friends.

 The setting for the luncheon was this STUNNING home. The house was purchased years ago, but was in total disrepair (it was the caregivers home for a chicken farm), but has since been fully restored and is just beautiful. The following photos really do not even come close to doing is justice.

 

This lovely topiary was a delightful addition to the kitchen.

 

Since we were in Georgia there were plenty of fresh magnolias throughout the house.

Here is a peak into the living room.

The entry table was home to some blue and white and a precious painting.

 

Here you can catch a slight glimpse of the entry. Everything in this home compliments everything else.

I LOVED this huge bowl of pineapples in the family room. 

There were two tables set for the luncheon. The mother of the bride and luncheon hostesses sat outside on the porch. 

 

The bride and her maids sat inside in the dining room.

 Our centerpiece inside was the charm cake. For those not familiar with the charm cake it is an older tradition, most common in the South I believe, in which charms are placed on ribbons and then in a cake. Each guest then gets to pull out a charm which has a special meaning behind it. All charms are some form or good luck and much like a fortune. 

So, after our delicious lunch of cheese straws, pecans, wild rice salad and chicken it was time for the charm pull...and then dessert. I pulled the highchair charm which apparently means I will continue to shoot for the stars and be a high achiever (thankfully it did not mean I would be the next to have a baby). 

This was such a lovely shower and I was so blessed to be a part of it. Now, if only I had taken all the pictures my mother had and could share some of the hostesses and Mimi and I. I guess you will just have to use your imagination on that one.

Starbucks Tasting

 A few weeks back I was contacted by Starbucks and asked to attend a tasting. Being the HUGE Starbucks fan that I am (remember I gave it up for Lent?) I was very excited and honored to be included. I thought that the tasting would be filled with lots of Dallasites, but I could not have been more wrong. There were a total of just three of us plus a Starbucks coffee master and we were treated like royalty!

 The main coffee we sampled at the tasting was the Starbucks Reserve Galapagos blend. Now, I had to be up front with the coffee master and I will be with you too. While I LOVE Starbucks I actually rarely, if ever just drink coffee. In fact this tasting was the first time I had an actual cup in years. I am going to go as far to say since high school. I always order some type of espresso based drink and I was really not even sure I would even like this luxury blend...

 Well, this was all before I saw he Clover. The Clover Brewing System is a brewing machine that is only installed at a small handful of Starbucks. When the CEO of Starbucks saw this machine and tasted a cup it had brewed he decided he had to buy the company then and there. You can search here to see if you have one in your area....and though I will go into more detail, do yourself a favor and start heading over now. 

 A Clover brews coffee is a distinctive manor that allows you to more fully enjoy not only the aroma, but the flavor of the coffee as well. For this reason only a handful of Starbucks coffees are brewed on the Clover, they are mainly the Reserve blends. These blends are the best crops of coffee Starbucks comes across.

To achieve this ultimate cup of coffee the Clover uses a vacuum technology and an additional filter. 

 While the cup of coffee the Clover brews is the best I have ever tasted watching your cup brew is one of the best parts. It is like an event!

 I was so impressed by the system that I called my father up (he is our family coffee conesuier) and told him he needed to head to the Starbucks at the Edina Galleria and try a cup that afternoon. He happily obliged and was equally as blown away.

  

After we watched our cup of Galapagos brew on the Clover it was time to taste it. Now, I am sure all of you coffee drinkers know the proper way to fully enjoy your cup of coffee and how to cool it down, but I did not. However, the coffee master was a good teacher and demonstrated how to suck our coffee in order to enjoy it to the fullest.

It was so interesting to taste the various flavors in the coffee. Even though I have lived in major coffee growing regions of the world I never understood how one could taste cocoa or blueberries in their coffee until I properly learned to drink it. My eyes have been opened to a whole new world! Next time you order a cup before to cup your hand over the mug and then suck it into your mouth (there are You Tube videos that demonstrate this if you want to learn). It will instantly cool your coffee (or I suppose any hot drink you are enjoying) and allow you to fully appreciate the flavor.

 Here I am looking demonic....I guess all that caffeine was starting to get to me!

 After one cup of coffee we got to enjoy some sweet treats with our second cup of Galapagos Reserve (which was made with a French press so that we could taste the difference). It was during this portion of the tasting that I learned something else about Starbucks. Your local coffee master is trained to help you select coffees to compliment your menu. So, if you are having a dinner party they will gladly help you pick the perfect pairing for your dessert. I guess when I am running in and out of Starbucks this had just never occurred to me. However, I personally found it to be a very helpful tip and one which I will be sure to use in the future.

All in all the Starbucks changing gave me a new perspective on coffee. I have actually been enjoying a cup almost every morning since the tasting! Be sure to look up and see if you have a Clover Brewing System at a Starbucks in your hood and hurry over and order a specialty cup of Reserve coffee if you do! I will be the first to tell you you will not regret it!

ElizaJane Map

A few months ago (yes, months....I am behind) I won an ElizaJane custom map giveaway from In This Wonderful Life/Life of Megan. I rarely enter giveaways these days, but this one was too good to pass up since it was a custom work of art. Plus, I thought a map would be such a fun gift for my parents upcoming anniversary. 

Since my parents have moved 22 times, soon to be 23, I thought a map of all the places they have lived (or most...there are just SO many) would be really fun. I know people typically do wedding maps, but an anniversary map was what I had in mind and ElizaJane more than came through:

I loved the end result, but my parents were the ones that were really floored. In fact, I admit that I gave it to them a few months early because I could no longer contain my excitement and my mother just picked it up from the frame shop this week. ElizaJane turned my list of ideas/thoughts into a reality and created something that we will have in our family for years!

After seeing this phenomenal result I no longer think custom maps can only make wedding gifts. I think you could also do a "graduation" map for a college graduate (include their home town, where they went to school and where they might be moving post college). You can do a map as a going away gift and include all the places the recipient spent time at in the city they are leaving or you could do a "travel" map to commemorate a trip you have taken. There are endless ideas when it comes to maps so use your imagination and create a custom, one-of-a-kind gift for a love one.

Persifor Q&A

I was introduced to the brand Persifor via email a few months before their official launch. I somehow got on an email list and quickly fell in love with the brand. It is no secret that I love whimsical, but well made clothing, and Persifor fits that bill. They offer a simple yet practical skirt, a handful of dresses and some glitzy accessories. All clothing is a wonderful blend fabric that is extra silky yet machine washable (major perk!). The most unique thing about Persifor is that each season they will work with an artist to create a unique print that they turn into fabric for their clothing. In fact, if you see a work of yours that has the potential to be transformed you can post it on Facebook for a shot to be next spotlight artist. How neat is that?!

 I love making instant connections with people so the fact the mastermind behind Persifor, Alex, was a Kappa was simply an added bonus for me! I was thrilled when Alex offered to do a Q&A for me and all of you. I debated on what to ask (I had SO many questions) an entrepreneur that has not only made her dream a reality, but that of a handful of artists as well, and after some thought and a chat with my mother I came up with the following. I think these questions with further enlighten you as to what a great and fun brand Persifor is. They had me at "preppy and polished!"

1. What inspired you to start Persifor?
I've been working in the fashion industry for over 10 years for iconic lifestyle companies like J.Crew and Lilly Pulitzer. During this time, I recognized that the current marketplace was lacking a product that combined sophisticated prints in a versatile fabrication for customers seeking an alternative to more expensive and saturated brands. 

 2. How would you describe your prints? Is there one word that comes to mind?
Bright and kicky! 

3. How would your describe the Persifor client?
Preppy and polished but with a relaxed and beachy sensibility.

4. What makes Persifor dresses, skirts and accessories stand out?
The fabric and fit of the garments took almost one year to develop and execute. It was important to create something silky smooth, breathable and flattering in bold, clear colors. I also didn't want to continue paying pricey dry cleaning bills at the end of each week so it was imperative to make the dresses and skirts machine washable. The cork accessories serve to compliment the dynamic prints with a touch of metallic shimmer. 

5. What advice can you offer other artists that hope to make their dream a reality?
Never underestimate the importance of enthusiasm- it is contagious! 

6. Of course I have to throw in a KKG question...where were you a Kappa and do you have a favorite memory you would like to share?
I was a KKG in the Zeta Rho chapter at Colgate University. Many of my Kappa sisters are still my closest friends and partners in crime so it is hard to pinpoint one single memory.

I cannot wait to get my hands on my very own Persifor dress dress! The Kilpatrick is my very favorite (I think it would be ideal for travel as you can wear it during the day but spice it up with a shoe change and some jewels at night), but I am not sure whether I like a Jaguar print or the Ole in Dove best. Decisions, decisions! Thank goodness shipping if free because after I order one I can more easily justify another :)

So whether you are a beach body, club girl, world traveler or city chick, Persifor has got you covered for your summer needs!

*I was compensated for this post with an item from the line. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Preppy Weekend Finds

I have spotted loads of preppy items while out and about this weekend. All are certainly steals too. Here are a few of my very favorites:

 

These child sizes chairs were the first thing I spotted when I walked into Homegoods. For $40 I would be scooping them up if I had any reason at all. They have a beautiful coral and several boy selections as well.

 

These pink and green tablecloths are most definitely Lilly inspired and perfect for an outdoor, summer BBQ.

 

Nothing beats a slice of pink strawberry cake covered sprinkles at Mermaid Bar.

Target swim has gone ultra preppy with seersucker and whales!

Happy Memorial Day

Mill Valley Kitchen

When I traveled to Minnesota for Easter weekend I finally got to try Mill Valley Kitchen, a new restaurant I has been dying to go to. My mother goes at least once a week, or so it seems as every other time I am calling her she is leaving, and lots of college friends are always checking in on Facebook. It has quickly become a family and friend favorite!

I knew I would be a fan as soon as we pulled up and I saw they had valet. I kid, I kid, but I will admit Dallas is a valet city and it spoils you when you go elsewhere and CANNOT find parking when you dying to eat :)

Mill Valley has a very fresh menu and they try to use local ingredients when possible. I have read a number of articles about trying to eat food from within thirty miles of you, but would be lying if I said I did that. However, I do love to support local farmers and was very happy to see Mill Valley Kitchen is doing that in Minnesota.

 

I started off with an incredibly refreshing "Red Moon". It was just delicious and had I not paced myself I would likely have downed it in just a few minutes.

While it has become incredibly common, I still love when you can see into the kitchen of a restaurant. I love watching the chefs prepare meals and work "under pressure". Somehow it makes it seem so much better/fresher/cleaner.

Another perk of Mill Valley Kitchen is that their menu shows all the nutritional information for their dishes. I opted for Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Flatbread which was DELICIOUS. I may have eaten the entire thing myself :)

Everyone else at the table opted for the Reuben which was a special. Judging by what was left on their plates it was just as delicious as my flatbeard.

The atmosphere of Mill Valley is distinctly different from other Minneapolis restaurants in my opinion. It is very fresh (they have lovely and huge floral arrangements I adored) and feels much more LA/trendy than other area haunts.

Since we went for lunch the bar was empty, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is the place to be after work. I read online that the majority of wines Mill Valley Kitchen serves have some sort of connection on Minnesota which is fun.

Opa and I after enjoying our delicious meal. Thank you for treating us to a delightful lunch!

The walls are covered in vibrant art work. No detail has been overlooked whether it be food or decor. I loved this circle work by the ladies room.

This modern painting fit in perfectly with the decor of the rest of the restaurant too.

 

While I am unsure how many Minnesota readers, or even just readers that occasionally travel to the Twin Cities, I have I just had to share this wonderful restaurant with you all. I am hoping Mill Valley Kitchen might want to expand because I loved it that much, and I eat out often. The atmosphere and food are delightful and delicious. I cannot wait to visit again and would highly suggest those that are able do the same!

Friday Five

GAH! I cannot believe this is the LAST Friday Five....

1. Viggle

I downloaded this app some time ago but it was not until some friends on Twitter filled me in last week that I finally figured out how to rack up points. Every time you watch TV you can "Check-In" and start gaining Viggle points. You earn one point for every minute of TV you watch and points can be redeemed for gift cards. It takes 9,000 to get a Starbucks gift card, but you can easily gain that in just a week. Some shows have bonus points so you gain an additional amount of points on top of those you earn for the minutes you spend watching and there are numerous other ways to gain even more points.

2. International Delights Iced Coffee

Life of Megan introduced me to this AMAZING treat and I feel like a changed woman! The iced coffee is available in three flavors. I have tried the mocha and vanilla both of which I LOVE. This sweet so I "coffee" mine down with some real coffee and then add ice. It is the perfect pick-me-up and at $3.50 a carton I get 6 cups worth of iced coffee for the price of one at a chain!

 

3. San Pellegrino

A few weeks ago I noticed that their were new flavors of San Pellegrino sparkling fruit beverages. The limonata was a long time favorite, but blood orange and grapefruit might soon take the cake. They are delicious and so refreshing in the Texas heat!

 

4. Tinsley Mortimer's Southern Charm

I had the most delightful time at Tinsley Mortimer's book signing last Friday. There was a complete candy buffet, delicious drinks and each guest was also gifted a copy of Southern Charm which Tinsley graciously signed for us all. I cannot wait to start reading this poolside this weekend!

5. Golf and the Byron Nelson

Last Saturday, I spent the day at the Byron Nelson Classic. Well, by the day I mean just over three hours because the heat starts to get to you in May in Texas. Anyhow, even during my shorter stint I got to see all the big golfers I came for. Phil Mickelson was great, Ernie Els is always a good one and I loved watching James Driscoll play since he went to Taft. It was a fun way to spend the morning and I hope I get lucky enough to attend next year too!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and do not forget to enter the SpunSugarPaperie giveaway (you all are crazy for not entering to win an original work of art!!!)!