Happy Birthday, Big George!

Big George and his adoring fans

Today is the birthday of my wonderful father in law, George!

When people get married, the old line, "You are not just marrying your husband, you're marrying his whole family", is often thrown around as a cautionary tale. But when I married Mr. Fonty, this was said to me in a "you.are.so.lucky" sort of way. I have the greatest in-laws, and at the helm of this family (or at least we all let him think he's wearing the pants, and not Celia) is Big George.
You won't meet a more fun-loving guy, who becomes best friends with every one he meets. Whether it's a young band, a record store in need, or a new start up Popsicle shop, Big George selflessly supports everyone around him. Big G, you make me so proud to be a Fonty! We're toasting a Red Bull to you today.

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY!

Gimme More

Times they are a'changing! 
I quit my job a week ago, and next Friday will be my last day (and last pay check)! For nearly 4 years, every Tuesday-Thursday I have been traveling throughout an eight state territory. Last year alone, I spent around 35 weeks in hotel rooms - not counting any personal travel.
I feel an amazing sense of freedom now that I am no longer traveling. I've had a suitcase half-packed on my floor for years. I don't even know what it is like to not do my makeup out of a Vera Bradley bag.
This week, already, has been incredible. Mr. Fonty and I have walked the Fonty dog and been out for post-dinner cocktails every evening. I've never been happier just enjoying my city and the people around me. I am so looking forward to filling my days with fun and creativity - and getting to come home to my husband in the evening! What a novel idea.

So, this weekend, I will be enjoying the present and filling every minute with more - and loving not having to think about where I am traveling to next week! What are you doing this weekend?

Fell Into The Gap

I got in some major trouble at Gap yesterday. I love the Gap, always have, always will. Their spring collection is full of color. I stocked up on tons of twists on classic basics.

Tees $24.95
 

Colored Denim $69.95
 

Printed Dresses $74.95
 

Striped Shoes
 

Tunesday with george: Lambchop - Mr. M

I've always been a fan of Kurt Wagner's brand of quirky indie-country... his recent collaboration Cortney Tidwell (knows as KORT) has seen steady rotation on my playlists since it's late 2010 release.

Mr. M is a fine piece of work, featuring lush soundscapes and entrancing string parts throughout. This one is destined for my Best of 2012 list. Listen to the album HERE. Thanks, NPR

Over-Extended

I've got a lot my plate this week, and blogging is going to have to take a back seat.
It was a great weekend out enjoying the sunshine. Loved getting to spend time with so many fun friends!!

We hung out at the farm on Sunday. I got completely engrossed in my latest book - The American Heiress. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you will love this book! It is basically the story of Cora - and the main character is even named Cora! - an American heiress who marries a Englishman and becomes a duchess. The book follows the lives of the servants as well, just like in Downton. It's so good!

Love when the day looks like this!!

Have a great week. I promise to be more interesting next week.

Hello, Sunshine!

It has been in the 80's all week here in Athens, GA, and I am LOVING it! My neighbors feelings about my pastey white legs being exposed, probably not love, but who cares, "Spring Has Sprung"!

I've always been a skirt/dress over shorts girl. I have a weird complex about the above noted pastey white legs. But this year, I think I am going to embrace the short. There are so many cute options for spring. I love the look of the high-waisted shorts, but will obviously have to try out for myself before endorsing. I think with my stature it may look a bit mom jean.
Short Stack:

BCBGeneration pleated shorts
$98 - piperlime.gap.com

Miss Selfridge shorts
$30 - missselfridge.com

Milly cotton shorts
$215 - stylebop.com

Jason Wu floral print shorts
$695 - kirnazabete.com

TIBI navy blue shorts
$364 - my-wardrobe.com

Sandro pleated shorts
$185 - stylebop.com

Elastic waist shorts
$230 - barneys.com

J.Crew j crew shorts
$45 - jcrew.com

Shorts
$68 - warehouse.co.uk

Have Your Heard The News?!

I hope I am not alone in this.. But growing up, I LOVED the movie Newsies. Like, can recite it line by line and know the word to every song, LOVE. The movie stars pretty much every young hunk from back in the day, including a dancing and singing Christian Bale as the lead character Jack. I had the biggest crush on slingshot-carrying "Spot" from Brooklyn - leave it to me to pick the one guy in the cast who went nowhere. Been picking dead beats from the start...

Hey, Spot...

The movie was on HBO a while ago, and I even got Mr. Fonty to watch (part of) it. I think he only tolerated it, because he could laugh at Christian Bale hopping around while singing "Santa Fe".

"Open the gates and seize the day...."

Christian Bale and the kid from Big

So....seeing how much I loved Newsies, you can imagine my excitement when 20 years(!) after it's debut, Newsies is finally on Broadway! I think I may have to make a spring trip to New York. Anyone want to hit the matinee with me?? The show was just extended and will run through August 19.

Newsies on Broadway

Tunesday with George: SXSW Round Up

Download the New West Sampler HERE

SXSW is finally over, and I emerge from the week bruised, battered, a little sick, but quite satisfied. We had around 10 bands in town this year, so needless to say I didn't have a lot of free time on my hands....but here's a list of all the bands I saw over the week that I enjoyed (in order of appearance) Each link is a video of the band:

Phosphorescent
White Violet (3X)
Max Gomez (2X)
The Mastersons (3X)
Buxton (3X)
Ponderosa (4X)
Grandfather Child
T. Hardy Morris & The Outfit
Kalen Nash
Wild Moccasins (2X)
Tom Morello
Nikki Lane
Brendan Benson
Trampled By Turtles
Mother Falcon
J Roddy Walston and The Business
Jonny Corndawg (3X)
Lucero
Alabama Shakes
Colin Gilmore
Reptar (2X)
Diamond Rugs (2X)
Dead Confederate
Futurebirds
Velveteen Pink

SouthBy Recap

Phew! Well, I survived SXSW - and my 30th birthday. Quite a feat. It was an exhausting and fun week. Here is my week recap as seen from my iPhone:

Jonny and CornDAWES

Phosphorescent

Ponderosa

Diamond Rugs

J. Roddy Walston & The Business

White Violet

 On Friday, we started the day at the Hotel San Jose for South By San Jose.

South Congress is my favorite part of Austin. I enjoyed the window shopping as much as the bands.  

Mr. Fonty picked up one of these incredible shirts. Squatch Sighting! And I oohed and ahhed over boot after boot after boot...

 

Athens 40 Watt Club threw a major rager on Saturday. Many, many Dos Equis tall boys were consumed.

 Saturday night was my big birthday party. We had this awesome cave room at La Condessa all to ourselves. The food was ridiculous - and so was the sangria! Thank you, Mr. Fonty, for planning a perfect celebration night.

As fun as SouthBy was, it sure was nice to come home to this guy! Thanks to all who took such good care of our buddy while we were gone.