"Football Season"

It happened last weekend ... my marriage was interrupted by "football season."

I thought season only last 1/4 of the year. Yet, this "football season" lasts two seasons ...

Mary Phillips always says it best. The remote belongs to Ale until Super Bowl weekend.
Let the football games begin. Go Clemson Tigers and Duke Blue Devils!!! Xoxo-BLC

AK + Art Walk = ♥

Tonight we attended an art gallery walk where my dear friend AK had 40 paintings on display.

Her artwork is STUNNING and so is she!!! Last time I blogged about AK (you can read that post here) she was featured in In Style magazine. Since then, she has been featured in Mobile Bay Magazine and her five page spread is ah-mazing!!! And ... since then she got married (I also blogged about that here)!!! I just adore her artwork. You will too if you visit her online gallery here: http://www.artandak.com/!!! Xoxo-BLC

Fashion's Night Out

FNO!!! Fashion's. Night. Out!!! I had the BEST time with four friends:

We surveyed the entire store, shopped up a storm, sipped wine on their dime, and even had mini-makeovers!!! The best part: the whole night benefited a local charity. It was BEYOND fun and I hope to attend next year. Cheers to a night out, celebrating fashion, and all for a good cause!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: See my friend
and
ah-mazing stylist

Megan

at Southern Femme's
write up
and
many thanks to her for
putting us on her best-dressed-list!!!
PSS: Speaking of fashion ...
shop my closet at TCSK II for great deals and steals on
Lilly, Frye, JCrew, and Calypso: http://theclothesshekept.blogspot.com/.
Happy shopping to you and yours!!! :)

It's About Thai!!!

I had the pleasure of meeting A. Liz Adventures way back in March (see that post here) and it was about thai we met up again!!! We had dindin at this delish Thai place and cocktails afterwards.

A. Liz Adventures and I became instant friends because she is beyond kind, sweet, and genuine. Her blog and Etsy shop are among my all-time favorites!!! You simply must stop by, visit, and shop a little too. A. Liz and I chit chatted, laughed up a storm, and had a ball. Before I knew it, the night had gotten away from us!!! That just means another girls-night-out is a must, right!?! Xoxo-BLC

PS: A very BIG congratulations to Nicki who won the Lifeguard Press "Plan to Sip in Style" giveaway!!! The Lilly Pulitzer agenda and wine glasses belong to YOU. Nicki, please email me at thecompanyshekeeps@gmail.com to claim your prize. Many thanks to all who entered and to Lifeguard Press for graciously co-hosting this fabulous giveaway!!! I think hosting giveaways is just as much fun as winning one. Cheers to planning and sipping in style.

PSS: Since giveaways are sooo much fun, maybe another one should happen REAL soon. Whatcha think!?! :)

Wit or Witout!?!

Before heading to the airport, we absolutely had to make a pit stop in South Philadelphia ...

at Genos for Philly Cheesesteaks!!! Mmm. Mmm. Mmmmmmm.
When you place an order, the practically accost you by screaming "wit or witout."

My BFF interpreted for me: it means do you want cheese or not. Who wants a cheesesteak without cheese!?! I had mine with ... with cheese whiz!!! Ta-ta for now Philly ... it has been the MOST fun. Xoxo-BLC

Philly ♥'s Lilly!!!

One visit to a Lilly shop just wouldn't be enough, now would it!?! A stop at King of Prussia Mall is a must. It's the largest mall on the East Coast and happens to be a shopper's heaven.

I couldn't help but take pictures in the fitting rooms again!!! The flamingos had me dancing with delight.

Well I sure didn't know that!!! Is that why I am turning pink too!?!

Palm tree chandeliers = TDF!!!

That's my idea of a mounted head: lots of COLOR and no animals hurt in the process. :)

Above the exit reads: "Not your first and certainly not your last"!!! Cheers to that!!! Xoxo-BLC

I spy in Ardmore ...

I just adore Philly: the sights, the rich history, the delish food, the culture, just all of it!!! Oh who am I kidding!?!? I really love Philly because it is swimming in Lilly shops left and right!!!

This is the brand new Ardmore store and it is D-I-V-I-N-E!!! I visited it once before at it's old location. See that post here. The new store is just as gorgie. Do you spy the monkeys in the chandeliers?

There were darling inscriptions ALL around!!! I am thinking of adding one in my closet for a little fun ...

The dressing rooms might be my favorite!!! Every inch was covered in something fun and colorful. Of course I want a powder room just like either of these:

One of these things does not look the other ... is it the giraffe? Nope. :)

Never have I ever seen gold wallpaper, but it was love at first sight:

Oh, and their sale section: killer!!! I am going to start begging Lilly to come to my town.

All I can say is this: well done Lilly Ardmore!!! Your store could NOT be any more darling. Let me know when you are ready for me to move it!!! Xoxo-BLC

Outdoor Love Affair

One of our Clemson chums married a super sweet girl up in Delaware today.

Their outdoor ceremony was simply stunning. It felt like an enchanted garden, complete with a lily pond.
The bride picked out the cutest programs --- it fanned out to make a fan. How genius!?!

I was having a complete outdoor love affair with their location (and the weather too)!!!
The venue was on this gorgeous estate. I don't know if I have ever been to Delaware, but it sure was gorgie!!!

Cheers to the newlyweds love, laughter, and happily ever after!!! Xoxo-BLC

Out and About

Two of our favorite Clemson chums live in Philly.

We all use to live in Charlotte, NC together and we miss them dearly!!!

It was so fun being out and about with them in their town.

I just wish we could do this every weekend!!! Xoxo-BLC

Give me Liberty

I am more thankful than ever for my freedom and beyond proud to be an American. As such, paying a visit to the Liberty Bell was a must and so special to see. This is the view from the outside:

If you've been a longtime reader of TCSK, you might remember that we visited the sister bell to the Liberty Bell on our honeymoon in Barbados!!! Isn't that fun!?! See that post here. They definitely look like twinsies.

Last time Stella and I were in Philly together, we did the Duck Tour and it was sooo much fun. This time, she introduced me to another Philly-must ... the Phillie Phanatic!!! Isn't he a cutie!?! Xoxo-BLC

Chew On This

Philly or bust!!! We flew up to Philadelphia for this holiday weekend. Our trip was inspired by an itch to visit a few college chums and a wedding we couldn't miss in Delaware. For our first day, we visited Chestnut Hill. Such a quaint, lovely area:

We lunched at Cake, which was divine, followed by stroll through Chestnut Hill. We window shopped and popped into a few places. In this darling little boutique, these stunning necklaces caught my eye:

The shopgirl quickly educated me: these were Chewbeads!!! My dear friend at Lola's Journey To and From recently told me about this line. While these look like glass beads, they are rubber for the purpose of allowing teething babies to chew on them. Isn't that the best idea ever!?! I snatched one up as a pressie: I think it makes the perfect gift because mom and baby both enjoy it!!! I would definitely wear these beyond the teething years. Isn't this the chicest chew toy ever!?! Xoxo-BLC

Plan to Sip in Style {G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y}

It's time for a GIVEAWAY on TCSK!!! Many thanks to Lifeguard Press for graciously
co-hosting this fabulous giveaway. One lucky TCSK reader will win ...

... the Lilly Pulitzer pocket agenda in navy bloomers and a pair of Lilly Pulitzer wine glasses!!!
This will make planning to sip in style that much easier, don't you agree!?!

To win, simply leave a comment below!!! No blog? No problem: just leave your email addy. For extra entries, like Lifeguard Press on Facebook, follow Lifeguard Press on Twitter, and tweet/blog/facebook about this giveaway. You must leave an extra comment for each extra entry. The winner will be picked via random.org on September 8th, 2011. Until then, many thanks for faithfully reading TCSK and a BIG thanks to Lifeguard Press for their generosity!!! Fingers crossed you win. Xoxo-BLC

Pop Art + Shift Frocks = Lisa Perry

Move over Lilly Pulitzer, there is another LP on the block: Lisa Perry!!! I ♥ this LP too.

I first discovered her line from watching the Today Show. Ann loves LP and wears it well.

Lisa Perry's line won my heart due to her use of colors and the basic cuts. Her love of pop art spills over into her fashion and makes her line FUN. A healthy dose of color is good for the soul.

Shift frocks are the most chic, comfy, and timeless design. One could never have too many!!! Lisa Perry makes killer shift dresses, a fab minnie line (shown in green/pink and pink/red above), and gorgie accessories. Off to add a Lisa Perry frock to my wishlist!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS:
I spied ...
the most
darling
and
delish
delight-look-alikes
of Lisa Perry shifts at Meli & Angi!!! :)

Happy Birthday ...

Wishing
my
youngest
nephew
the
happiest
of
birthdays
today!!!
I hope this is his BEST year yet
and
that he loves every minute of it.
Let someone else do the carry your load today ...
like holding up the Tower of Pisa.
Enjoy YOUR day
and
eat cake too!!!
I ♥ you and ...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Xoxo-BLC

Farewell-Engagement-Birthday SOIREE

Ale and I attended a ...

farewell-going-away-party + mini-engagement-party + birthday-bash-for-the-bride-to-be

for two of my favorite law school friends. 

From L to R: moi, the bride-to-be, and another law school chum. I am going to miss the bride-to-be and groom-to-be, but I expect Beantown Prepster to take good care of 'em while they are across the pond!!!
I might have to pop over for a visit too. :) Xoxo-BLC

I'm in stitches!!!

I am in stitches over these Smathers & Branson needlepoint belts!!! Guess who agrees with me!?! My husband!!! From Smathers & Branson: "Each 100% hand-stitched belt is carefully made with the finest materials from around the world. The threads are spun and dyed in Europe, the full grain-leather is tanned in Asia, and the buckles were carefully selected in the USA."

  "Our vibrant colors and whimsical design capture the simple pleasures of living and will brighten any pair of pants and shorts. Wear your belt not just to class or the office, but also while on the golf course, at your local watering hole, or whiling away a summer day with family and friends." Smathers & Branson has an ah-mazing selection for men, ladies, and children of belts, key fobs, accessories, coasters, wallets, flasks, pet collars, coin purses, headbands, cummerbunds, and, if you just cannot pick, gift certificates.

My husband loves to fish, hunt, and, above all else, Clemson football!!! Thus, I assumed he would pick the fishing flies belt or the shotgun and shell belt or the Clemson belt. But, he surprised me!!! Longtime readers of TCSK know that here I call my husband Ale. So it should be no surprise that he picked the ale needlepoint belt. He has yet to find a beer he doesn't like!!! :) I have yet to find one I do like ...

Among my favorites for is the bowtie belt or the Jolly Roger belt or the Dark 'n Stormy belt for men; the cheetah headband or the coral pattern belt or the monkey coin purse for ladies; and the duck duck goose belt or penguin belt for children. Are you in stitches over these belts too!?! If so, do share: what's your favorite design!?! Xoxo-BLC

Totally Swept Away

I have recently been cheating on my regulars: RedBox, Blockbuster, and iTunes. I am having a love affair with HBO To Go. I have watched documentaries, shows, and movies that I wouldn't normally pick. One of those:

Swept Away. I almost stopped watching it five minutes in because the cursing is near unbearable and Madonna's character is 100% insufferable. Yet, I was totally sucked in, swept away, and unable to stop. The movie is shot somewhere between the Italy and Greek coastlines. The scenery alone is absolutely breathtaking and worth the watch. Madonna is my new thinspiration: her 40-something-bod is sick. Half of the movie is in subtitles and the other half English. The storeline totally stole my ♥!!! And so, Swept Away swept me away. Xoxo-BLC

TCSK Facelifts

Bless TCSK's little ♥, she has had many facelifts!!! From her oldest and next oldest ...

... to her summertime glow ...

... to her latest and greatest yet!!! I also switched to just one sidebar on the right. What do you think!?!

As her surgeon, I have already picked out her next facelift too!!! Hint, hint: think a little holiday fun. Cheers to keeping a fresh face and aging gracefully. Xoxo-BLC

Diapers and Wipes

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: we belong to an ah-mazing church and Sunday School class. It is such a blessing in our lives and to our marriage. If we meet in real life, I am going to invite you to my church and my Sunday School and my Bible Study. The more the merrier!!!

Yesterday, our Sunday School hosted a baby shower for two very special mamas-to-be!!! We showered them with love, prayers, a delish spread, and pressies. Everyone brought the exact same gift: diapers and wipes. I gifted both mamas the denim diapers --- I just think they are the cutest, hippest, funnest diapers around. If I had a minnie, I am certain their uniform would be denim diapers and a polo (with a popped collar of course). My prayers continue for these mamas for happy, healthy, easy, and fun pregnancies!!! Xoxo-BLC

Bye-Bye Beach ...

I am going to miss this view of crystal-blue, Caribbean-like agua ...

toes stuck in the sand, a good book in hand,

and leisurely beachside strolls!!! Bye-bye for now beach ... until next time.

Xoxo-BLC

Sun-Kissed

Sun-kissed: (adj.) a few days off work, countless hours sun-worshiping,

looong beachside chit-chats with dear friends, well rested souls,

and full hearts!!! Being sun-kissed is one of the best looks that everyone wears well.

Sun-kissed cheers to you and yours. Xoxo-BLC