It was also this weekend 6 years ago that Mr. Fonty and I (re)met. Six years ago, my life changed forever. I would be missing out on so much in life had I not tagged along with Tiah that weekend...
But now, all that is on my mind is the open road and the beach that lay ahead...
Over the years, my girlfriends and I have become completely engrossed in Giuliana and Bill Rancic's plight to have a baby. After each episode of the aptly named "Giuliana & Bill" we will email about the couple as if we are besties. It's pretty pathetic, and so American all at the same time.
So, to catch you non-watchers up (which is a total travesty. At least give the show one episode. It's so good, I promise.) G & B have tried everything to have a baby, and were unsuccessful. We had high hopes for G a year or so back, but she suffered a devastating miscarriage. I'm not a TV crier, but if I was, this episode would have been really emotional. Through this process, Giuliana finds out she has breast cancer, and shouldn't continue fertility treatments. The couple finally decides to turn to a gestational carrier which is someone who carries their baby. The good news reached the internets yesterday, and.... their healthy baby boy, Edward Duke, was born last night! Congratulations, G & B. I can't wait to watch the season documenting all this - which will of course lead to more totally embarrassing emailing the next morning.
Here are some of my favorite baby boy gifts if I was actually friends with G&B, and not just delusional fan.
It has been a whirlwind last month or so. I have 3 partially unpacked pieces of luggage laying around my room - I am not exaggerating, 3 suitcases. And that is not even counting the ironing board that is out because it holds the contents of yet another suitcase that needed to be repacked. My life is in complete disarray. Buuuuut... we are traveling again this weekend. I mean it's Labor Day people! What am I supposed to do? Laundry?
It's going to be just like the end of the summer party at the Beverly Hills Beach Club
We are headed to Sea Island for the long weekend with a major rager-group of friends. I am so very excited for some beach time, watching FOOTBALL, and general debauchery. Sea Island is the home of Tibi, one of my favorite clothing lines. It also happens to be the home of the Tibi Outlet which I plan to get into a lot of trouble at... Some of Tibi's fall line is a little androgynous for me, but there are a few standouts:
Two days into 2005, my dad and I pulled my packed-to-the-gills Jeep Cherokee into Nashville, TN. I didn't know a soul, didn't have a job, and prayed I wasn't making a huge mistake. Nashville quickly became home, and the friends I made there, are still some of the most important people in my life.
Thankfully, 2 weeks after my arrival, for some unknown reason, with no experience or credentials at all, I landed a coveted job working in country music on Nashville's famed "Music Row". To say it was eye opening is an understatement. So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw that this fall, ABC has a new show, Nashville, all about the city near and dear to my heart. The pilot aired on my flight the other day, and the show is so good! I can't wait for the season to begin. If it gets canceled, I am going to call on all my Festers to write letters of protest.
Everyone's favorite coach's wife/school counselor, Tammy Taylor (Connie Britton), plays the aging country star, Rayna James, who is going up against man-eating hussy, Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Pantettiere. I was very skeptical about this casting, but Hayden is actual perfect, because she pretty much plays the sleep her way to the top pre-teen brat I have always imagined her to be.
I've heard rumors that T Bone Burnett is doing the music which is enough to peak Mr. Fonty's interest in the show. Don't listen to the comparisons to Glee. The only thing they have in common is people singing. I promise there is nary a nerd vibe you get from Glee's musical theater and Mr. Schuster. The performances are legit, and I was very surprised to find out that everyone does their own vocals. To make the show even better, it is actually filmed in Nashville. The production staff has done an awesome job of incorporating Nashville culture in every ounce of the show - from Rayna's Loveless Cafe shirt to scenes at the Bluebird Cafe and crushing deals at The Oak Room. It is fun to see my old stomping grounds on the small screen. I hope they don't move filming to LA once the pilot get picked up.
If you were a fan of Country Strong (and really who wasn't), set your DVR for October 10.
(and speaking of Country Strong, a little music for your Monday)
Since most of our date nights revolve around seeing a show at The 40 Watt, my pick for a Fall date night has a little edge to it. I am dying to add a leather motorcycle jacket in a grey or tan to my closet. These jackets look great with a pair a skinny jeans, and can take you all the way into spring when paired over a floral dress.
I'll admit it, I am not above putting on a pair of lululemons in the morning when I have zero intention of exerting any more energy than it takes to make a cup of coffee. But, it really does feel better when you put a little effort into your outfit, even if you are just running errands all day. This season's metallic toe cap trend is a great way to add some jazz to your outfit without any fussiness. So, this fall, keep the spandex in the gym and dress yourself to go from Target to meeting the girls for happy hour.
My summer is still in full swing. After spending the weekend with my family and the Fontys in the mountains, I am off this afternoon to beautiful British Columbia to spend sometime with my best friend and surrogate family in what I consider paradise. Then on Thursday/Friday, I have a red eye and fly directly to a friend's wedding (back) in the mountains. It's going to be a whirlwind. Despite still being vacation minded, I can't help but get excited about back-to-school shopping. There are so many items I am coveting for Fall. I'm dedicating this week to getting prepped for cooler weather.
