It's a small world after all.

Never have I ever had such a small world moment in all my life. I am the furthest from home that I have ever been, in the southern corner of Crete, when I ran into a sorority sister from Clemson. I literally stopped in my tracks and could not believe it!! We were in a remote town to catch a ferry ... and so were they!!! We spent the entire day together and it was one of my favorite days ever. We had the ferry ride to catch up: we talked about love, loosing loved ones, and life. A year ago we learned my stepdad had cancer and lost him in December; a month ago she and her husband lost their sweet baby girl to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Grief is so tough, but being certain of their salvation is such comfort. Picking back up right were we left off, it was surreal being on the Libyan Sea chatting up a storm. The day was forever unforgettable. It's a small world after all!!! Xoxo-BLC

Opa! Opa! Opa!

On our second night, we watched the sunset on the rooftop of our hotel.

The city was just as pretty light up at night as during the day.

Above is everyone on our tour. Just a fun, colorful bunch!!! Xoxo-BLC

Walkabout in Chania

Mamatella and I toured Greece part on our own and part with Classic Journeys.
It's a fabulous guide company and our tour include loads of walks, hikes, and the like.

On our second day, our tour started. We walked the city of Chania. 

It's a gorgeous place with narrow cobblestone streets and such rich history.

L to R: the EU Ambassador to Nepal, moi, our fabulous guide,

the ambassador's wife, and Mamatella. Xoxo-BLC

Hellooo Greece!!!

We fiiinally arrived!!!
Our 9.5 hour flight was uneventful.
Now that we landed ...
Let the events begin!!!
We first island hopped to Crete.
It's the BIG island below mainland Greece,
but above northern Africa.
We are nesting in the town of Chania.
Our stunning hotel is Casa Delfino.
Left is the view from our hotel room.
Below is the view from the rooftop.
It's absolutely breathtaking!!!
Our first day we settled in,
walked the Old Town of Chania,
scoped out dindin places and picked Taman.
Oh, and shopped a bit too!!! :)
I took sooo many photographs,
that I created a Facebook page for
The Company She Keeps to post all snaps.
Enjoy!!! Xoxo-BLC

Greece Bound!!!

Remember this post: Island Hoping in Greece!?! Well, the time as arrived ...

My bags are packed ... Canada, Greece, and Germany here I come!!!

Our tour of the Greek Isles includes Chania, Samaria Gorge, Rethymnon, Eleftherna, Knossos, Santorini, and Oia. Then we fly back to Athens were we meet up with Beantown Prepster. If you want a sneak peek of our travels, I suggest you follow Beantown Prepster on Twitter because she has the international phone plan. :) Until mid-October, ta-ta for now or as the Greek say: αντίο στα ελληνικά!!! Xoxo-BLC

Mad Hatter

Since April 29th, I have had my eyes set on a certain Halloween costume ...

A princess for a day!?! Count me in. Initially I was thinking Kate or even Pippa, but then ...

I couldn't resist: Princess Beatrice's mad hatter fascinator is the perfect 'Ween outfit.

Fingers crossed I can sell it for charity post-Ween and fetch 130k!!! Ha! Xoxo-BLC

PS: This mad hatter is the first DIY I have tackled in a while.
You can make your own by following these instructions.
My next project: Ashley Brooke Designs glitter mailbox!!!

Pink Pumpkins

I posted this last year ... but I think it's worth re-posting:

Have you ever seen anything as cute as these pink pumpkins!???

Many thanks to my sweet college chum for letting me steal this photog. She is such a talented artist and has displayed these pumpkins outside her darling Lilly Pulitzer Via Shop. Her shop, Pink Boulevard, is nestled outside of Charleston on Johns Island (in-between Seabrook and Kiawah). Pink Boulevard is one of my favorites and is a must see for all South Carolina dwellers or vacationers. Well, these pink  pumpkins put mine to shame ... how do your pumpkins fair??? Happy pink and green haunting!!! Xoxo-BLC

Hear us ROAR!!!

We headed back to Clemson, South Carolina this weekend for the CU v. FSU game.

For the first time ever, we watched a game in Death Valley with air conditioning. It was d-i-v-i-n-e!!!

It was a scorcher, but that didn't stop us from tailgating before, half-time, and after the game.

I usually snap a picture of us before the game because Ale doesn't smile much if we loose.

As you can see from the smile and the crowd rushing the field, it means one thing: we won!!!

Can you hear us ROAR!?! Gooo Tigers!!! Xoxo-BLC

Trunk Shows

Open that trunk and let's have a peek:

I adore Devon Baer Designs and am uber jelly if you get to shop at one of her upcoming trunk shows. The good news: we can shop our hearts out too online at www.devonbaer.com!!! The great news: she just released her Fall line and it is TDF. I am eyeing a certain Caroline Ruffle dress, what about you!?!

Happy Shopping to you and yours!!! Xoxo-BLC

Bewitching TCSK!!!

Since Merry-Thanks-O-Ween has descended upon us ...

... I found it appropriate to bewitch TCSK!!!

Boo!!! Happy haunting to you and yours. Xoxo-BLC

Keep on Summering

To properly mourn the departure of summertime, I am dressed head to toe in black and raising a glass filled with my favorite Summer cocktail: the Limoncello avec fizz!!! Since it's always summertime somewhere, I just cannot pack up my shifts and flips just yet. Lilly Pulitzer said it best: "Oh Shift. Summer is officially over. You can take a Lilly girl out of Summer but you can't take Summer out of a Lilly girl!" Fingers crossed for one more heat wave to cast a summertime spell to beat the Fall chill. Let's just keep on summering!!! Xoxo-BLC

Meet The Africa Project

Ashley Brooke Designs is by far a favorite paperteri of mine!!! I am thrilled to pieces about her new project: meet The Africa Project: "While paper and pencils and crayons may be plentiful in the U.S., children in Africa often lack these very basic school supplies. Ashley Brooke Designs has developed a partnership with Children of the Nations (COTN) to provide these and other supplies to children in Malawi and Sierra Leone, Africa. For every package of cards bearing this design, Ashley Brooke Designs will make a donation of paper goods to COTN and in turn give these children the supplies they need to express their creativity and excel in the classroom." Isn't that fabulous!?! Join me, shop these lovely folding cards, and support The Africa Project. Cheers to Ashley and her oh-so worthy cause!!! Xoxo-BLC

Washed by the Water

This is one of my most favorite songs. It's by Needtobreathe:

"Daddy was a Preacher
She was his wife
Just tryin' to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light

People started talking
Just to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Saying he'd made the wrong choice

Though it might be painful
You know time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall, I won’t fall, I won’t fall as long as you’re around me"

You can listen to it by clicking here. It's moving, touching, and uplifting. It's true: with Jesus, we cannot fall. Cheers to being washed by the water!!! I am; are you!?! Xoxo-BLC

Touchdowns and Tailgates

Last year we attended the Clemson v. Auburn game in Auburn (see that post here).

We were thrilled for the rematch: 

for a new game and to play with Clemson chums and Auburn chums alike.

Above, the most exciting 25 seconds in college football just happened!!!

It was a nail-biting, up and down first half ...

... but by the fourth quarter we were smiling ear to ear!!!

It was such a good game and a win for our Clemson Tigers feels ah-mazing. 

I am so very much looking forward to meeting this team again ...

... say next year in Atlanta!?! Until then, cheers to touchdowns and tailgates.

Xoxo-BLC

PS: Our Auburn friends were shocked that we left the game at half-time to tailgate. Win or loose, we tailgate before, at half-time, and after the game in Clemson!!! :)
PSS: My friend Wren (far left with her sweet baby) is wearing the Chewbeads. Mommy and Baby both agree: LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
 PPS: And ... Lola's Journey To and From (far right) is the one who told us about the Chewbeads. Genius!!!

Friday Night Lights

We headed to Clemson, South Carolina last night for a football filled weekend!!! While Ale had alumni meetings to attend, I met up with Mamatella and my great aunt. I could kick myself for not snapping a picture. Oh well!!! We had a great time lunching and shopping.

By then, The Sweet Southern Life had landed on her flight in from Texas!!! I was beyond thrilled to squeeze her and spend ALL weekend with her. We ate dindin at the Esso and met up with ol' Clemson chums in downtown Tiger Town. The rest of our group arrived so we returned to our abode for the weekend: we glamped lakeside again (see this post here)!!! This is my most anticipated game of the year: AML is in from Texas, my law school BFF is up cheering for Auburn, and two childhood friends (and Auburn alums) were here up too. When the company is good, the game is certain to be great!!! Xoxo-BLC

Oh La La!!!

Oh la la!!! It. Has. Arrived!!! The new Sheridan French website:

It's the same web address but totally revamped!!! It looks fabulous. The best part about the new-do, viewing the 2012 collection and the wish list option. This means I can add all my favorite dresses and tunics to a wish list, mail that sucker to my husband, and heavily hint how much I ♥ Sheridan French. Genius, right!?! I received more emails than ever before when I posted about my Sheridan French frock (re: see this post). To answer almost all those questions in one sentence: you can shop her line on her new website come 2012!!! I am jumping for joy. Sign up for her newsletter to be the first to hear of her online launch. Is it 2012 yet!?! Xoxo-BLC

Don't Miss Missoni

One of the top fashion houses is debuting their line at Tar-jey this week: Missoni for Target and it looks ah-mazing!!! I have oogled Missoni in Vogue for over 15 years. Their line is always timeless, classic, elegant, and a signature staple. I cannot wait to add one of these pieces to my wardrobe:

I once saw Oprah interview Margherita Missoni, the muse of Missoni and granddaughter of Missoni's founder. One snippet stuck with me: Margherita said her grandmother, Rosita, told her you can show skin on top or on the bottom, but never both. So wise!!! Off to shop the new collection ... Xoxo-BLC

There is No Place Like ...

It's NYC Fashion Week!!! Fashion Week always gives me the itch for Fall. Fall clothes, Fall weather, Fall lattes, and oh so much more FALL. However, I plan on summering right up until September 22nd, the last day of Summer. I will sport black on September 23rd ... mostly to pout and bid Summer a proper farewell. The upside: Fall clothes always help me shake my summertime blues!!! I love the layering, the textures, and colors. It's more fussy and just what the doctor ordered to beat the sweater weather chill!!! I must admit, Lilly's Fall line is among my favorites. It's based on theatre, specifically The Wizard of Oz. It's one of my childhood favorites!!! Follow the Road Pink is one of my favorite prints. I think the sisters at Fashionably Bombed styled it to perfection. Speaking of Lilly and bombed, see Social Climbers favorite concoction: the Pink Lilly!!! It's delish. Off to summer some more!!! Xoxo-BLC

10 Years Ago ...

I cannot believe it has been 10 years. My heart is heavy and sad. My prayer for today is that everyone impacted will feel the love, comfort, and peace that comes from the Lord. A few weeks after September 11, 2001, Matt Redman wrote this song and it is the song of my heart today:

"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"

I will always remember September 11th, 2001. I was a senior in high school. When I heard, I was in the guidance counselor's office having my college applications approved. Everything in my world stopped when the news broke. I panicked because my sweet steppadre, Paparazzi, was out of town on business. He traveled so much; I couldn't remember where he was and if he was suppose to be flying. Mamatella appeased my worries: he was safe in Texas. It took him a few days, but he caught a ride back to North Carolina with co-workers heading home to Connecticut. I am sooo extremely blessed my family and friends were safe. Regardless, we all lost on that day. The price of freedom is not cheap. Again, my thoughts and prayers go to everyone touched by this tragedy. Godspeed to those who paid with their life for our freedom. Xoxo-BLC

"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