Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!

Because it is New Year's Eve and because I am sitting on my couch getting over a bad cold, I thought - what better time to think about my resolutions for 2009? So, here it goes.....

1. Get healthy! Note - I am not saying any of the following: lose weight, diet, exercise 2 hours every day, shrink to a size 2. I am saying GET HEALTHY. Every time I've resolved to diet, it has rarely lasted more than a month. So, this year I'm going to resolve to get healthy. Be conscious of what I eat, enjoy more healthful and nutritious foods, make it a point to incorporate exercise into my daily life.

2. Volunteer. I have had the opportunity to volunteer throughout my life and it makes me feel indescribably good.


3. Take classes....for fun. I resolve to take some of the money I spent on clothes, shoes, and bags in 2008 and use that money to take classes in 2009. I have always wanted to take a pottery class and I would love to take cooking classes. Also, I would love to learn a second language (or at least brush up on my French).

4. Travel. First stop - Italy.





5. Find my passion. Pursue it. Live it everyday.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Questionnaire

My sister sent me this email and I thought I would share it with all of you! Feel free to comment or use it for your own blogs!

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? I pride myself on my excellent wrapping skills and I like to show them off whenever I can. ; )

2. Real Tree or Artificial? I love the idea of the real tree, but the artificial one is just so much easier. I do miss the smell though.

3. When do you put up your tree? As soon after Thanksgiving as I can.

4. When do you take your tree down? As soon after New Year's as I can.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, though I just learned how incredibly caloric it is so I will probably skip it this year and save those calories for Christmas cookies!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The doll house my parents made me (oops, I mean Santa). It was amazing, plus it was decorated for Christmas when I got it.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad - he has everything!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My Southern friends - throw a monogram on anything and you're gold. Same goes for me.....

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Emailing them seems kind of tacky to me...

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? I got bright - and I mean BRIGHT - red towels one year. I prefer more subtle colors for my bathroom. Plus, I think there were only three.

11. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life or Home Alone

12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, I don't like to recycle any gifts. I get too paranoid that somehow the recipient will find out I'm a re-gifter.

13. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas cookies! Love them, especially shortbread. Yum....

14. Lights on the tree? White lights

15. Favorite Christmas song? I love, love, love Trans Siberian Orchestra's version of Carol of the Bells. I listen to it all year long.

16. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Usually travel to see one part of the family or another.

17. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Morning

18. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The stress and the crowds at the mall

19. Favorite ornament or theme color? Hmmm... I love monogrammed ornaments - surprised?

20. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce

21. What do you want for Christmas this year? I've only asked for a camera. I also bought these as a present to myself. So cute!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Fantasy Christmas List

Ok, we all know the economy is struggling right now. My way of coping with the failing economy is what I like to call fantasy shopping. I go to all my favorite sites and put whatever my little heart desires into my shopping bag. On one occasion, I had $12,000 just in shoes at Saks. Yikes. Anyway, here is what I call my fantasy Christmas list - a list of all the things I would ask for if my budget was around $10,000,000.

#1 BMW Coupe









#2 Tiffanys Diamond Stud Earrings






#3 Hermes Kelly Bag. This bag runs about $15,000 which I think is kind of sick, but it's still so very pretty....





#4 T. Anthony Luggage. I personally think Louis Vuitton luggage is a little much so I prefer this high-end brand. Jackie Kennedy liked it too....




#5 Vacation house on Nantucket. I know I said I wanted the other Nantucket house (see previous post) but this one looks incredible. Imagine the view....ahhhh.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Too Old for Barbie? Never!

When I think of my favorite Christmas gifts from when I was a wee girl, I can't help but think of Barbie. Here is a picture of a Barbie from my childhood which I distinctly remember - Peaches and Cream Barbie.
















I got to talking with some co-workers about Barbie and this one stood out to all of us. One point of contention among us - did she have a smell? I seem to recall she smelled of - shocker - peaches and cream. I can picture her now - casually strolling around her Barbie Dream House in her flowing gown while the distinct scent of peaches and cream permeates the air around her.

Ok, maybe 27 is a little old to play with Barbies, but is it too old to collect Barbies? I think not! Especially when so many of the Barbies I've looked at have really cute outfits! Check these out.


Legally Blonde Barbie!











Breakfast at Tiffanys Barbie!
















Preferably Pink Barbie















Kate Spade Barbie!





Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Have Yourself a Preppy Christmas!

I have officially begun my search for the perfect preppy Christmas card. Here are some cute ones I found at www.tinyprints.com


Argyle...check.











Toile...check.













Preppy...check.












For those of us who don't (yet) have the perfectly preppy family, here are some cute non-photo cards!
























Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Favorite Snack

My name is Brooke and I am a popcorn-aholic.

I have been obsessed with organic lightly salted popcorn from both Safeway and Whole Foods for a little over two years now. I'm not entirely sure they don't sprinkle it with crack before they seal it up. It's that good. If you have not tried it, my advice is not to start now. You won't be able to quit. I have gotten several others addicted to this product and I feel a tremendous amount of guilt for that. My former co-workers were so aware of my obsession that I received two bags from one girl for my birthday! It was one of my favorite gifts. Why am I bringing this up? Because I am having a harder time finding my popcorn. Safeway hardly ever has it and now Whole Foods seems to always be out! I fear that they are discontinuing my favorite treat. Either that or some other local popcorn-aholic has discovered its salty goodness and is beating me to the store. Unacceptable! So, if you happen to see a bag, feel free to pick one up and pass it along to yours truly. I need to stock up for the winter. ; )

Monday, November 10, 2008

Dream Vacation House #1


Ah, Nantucket.....

Check out all the pink hydrangeas! It was meant to be!

















Hello Lover....



Could these rival my Tory Burch flats as my new favorite go-to shoe?













Or perhaps these?

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Web Site of the Week!


Have you ever wondered what you would have looked like if you had gone to high school in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s? I hadn't...until I found this hilarious web site. Check it out!

www.yearbookyourself.com

And for your entertainment.....my favorite pics!









Saturday, November 8, 2008

What's in a name?




Your Preppy Name Is...



Payne Lathrop Kirkland the Fourth

But most people know you as Topsy

My Favorite Season: Fall!

10 Things I Love About Fall:

1. Bright, beautiful foliage
2. Mums
3. Starbucks' pumpkin spiced lattes
4. Cool, crisp air
5. Apple Cider
6. Football games
7. Halloween!
8. Breaking out my Burberry barn jacket again
9. Bonfires
10. Sweaters, scarves, and wraps

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Cupcake Wars


And the winner is.....Georgetown Cupcake!

It looks like Barack Obama wasn't the only big winner in DC yesterday. Georgetown Cupcake has been crowned winner of The Washington Post Cupcake Wars. Let me say - I have enjoyed these tasty treats on several occasions and they have never disappointed. Bonus points - the two sisters who run this adorable little cupcakery were on The Martha Stewart Show on Monday! See the link below for the full cupcake rankings. Also, check out Georgetown Cupcake's web site.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2008/11/04/GR2008110401540.html

http://georgetowncupcake.com/home.html



HISTORY IS MADE!


This is an historic day and I am so happy to have seen it! Change is coming to Washington!!!










Check out this display. Hmmm...that house looks familiar.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

VOTE!!!


Check out this cute stationary at:

www.dabneylee.com

Don't forget to vote today!

Is there such a thing as too many monograms?

In a word: no. I first discovered my love for monograms my freshman year at The College of Charleston. When I arrived, I found myself living in a confined space with a girl who can only be described as the "ultimate Southern Belle". Though I hail from a state just south of the Mason Dixon line, I had resisted the over-the-top girlyness so prevalent among so-called G.R.I.T.S (girls raised in the South). I scoffed at the many monogrammed items she unpacked including, but not limited too, CD cases, sheets, a towel dress (a totally new phenomenon to me), frames, handbags, jewelry, etc. I found that her side of this 10' x 10' space was absolutely covered by her initials. As I became closer with this girl and several other Southern preps, I came to love and respect the monogram. I began to understand its power to turn an ordinary gift into an extraordinary gift, to turn a simple white towel or pillowcase into a classic home essential, to turn something as cold as a plain silver frame into a cherished personal keepsake. Now that I am such a strong advocate for the monogram, I sometimes question whether I have taken things too far. What is the etiquette of monograms? Because I live with an anti-monogram roommate, must I relegate all of my monograms to my bedroom or should I feel free to spread them throughout the common spaces of my house? Will my future husband become exasperated with me and my myriad of monograms? Do people who don't know interpret my obsessive monogramming as blatant narcissism? I guess, in the end, the answer is this - I don't care. I love my monogram (BRD, in case you were wondering) and don't intend to apologize for it. With that, here are some of my favorite monogrammed items. Enjoy!



Love these! Kind of on the pricey side, but worth it!

www.horchow.com












Christmas gift for me? I think so.

www.potterybarn.com







A great stocking stuffer!

www.potterybarn.com








A fabulous (and inexpensive) hostess gift!

www.swoozies.com















Someday I will have a guest room with toile bedding and this will grace the nightstand. Ahhh...

www.williamssonoma.com














Love these monogrammed wall prints! Available in lots of colors and patterns.

www.jackandlulu.com