I went to college for this...

I promised you guys some ridiculously embarassing pictures, so just have a good laugh on my tab!

You're probably going to wonder WHAT in the world we are doing in these silly pictures, so I will semi-explain. I'll try to keep it light.

I manage Volunteer Recruitment Coordinators year round who help us recruit participants in a fundraiser. So its my responsibility to keep them motivated and excited. Well, little did I know when I agreed to take this job that part of my job description might as well say Pre-School Teacher. Basically I have to tap into the super cheesy super creative side of me (which really doesn't exist) and come up with themes to keep everyone in the room motivated. We've done everything, and this week, we took things to a new low.

Since the other Fundraising Coordinator is a Georgia fan, we thought it was only PERFECT to have a weeklong football game based on how many people are recruited. I know its pretty lame. Anyway, Friday was the end of the game, when Auburn WON of course. And we decided in delirium to take pictures to send to our INCREDIBLY cheesy Regional Coordinator. I'm expecting an email to the region for our creativity for this.

So all that aside, here are a few of the ridiculous pictures. Go ahead and tell me they're horrible.
Its ok, I already know. Because when we were taking them, I kept saying "I can't believe I went to College for this..."

Here we are with a little Heisman action. Please note the trophy that was literally from 2004.

Could this be any faker? NOPE. Please excuse the orange wra that makes me look like a wilderbeast. Its the only office appropriate orange item I have. Give me a break.

And for the most ridiculous of them all, you can see how EXTREMELY low budget we are. If you don't work in non-profit, consider yourself lucky. Improvise might as well be our middle name.

Hope you enjoyed these humiliating pictures. Just thought I'ld share how my parents' hard earned money, aka college tuition, is being put to use!!

Its Complicated...

After a miserably failiing attempt to try to sleep past 6:45 this morning, I decided to not fuss as the whining puppy and just get up and enjoy the day. And it couldn't have started better!! Coffee in hand and computer on my lap with 2 pups curled up next to me, I think to myself, could it get much better? Why yes it can and it did!!

As I was checking out the blogs I follow "religiously," I came across something very exciting at COTE DE TEXAS. Now, normally, this lady takes interior design to a whole new level, but her pictures are fabulous and a lot of times, she can be quite witty. I could never hope to be as incredible as her with her intense knowledge of the design world, so I'll just stick to being her stalker.

Anyway, stop by her blog today because she has an AMAZING post that I felt necessary to semi-copy. The December issue of Traditional Home is featuring the set design for this upcoming movie...
I've never even seen the previews for this movie (probably because its been months since I've been to the theatres), but now I CANNOT wait!! Why?? Because it is written and directed by Nancy Myers...famous for some of my absolute FAVORITE movies, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday, The Parent Trap, Father of The Bride.

So, I will keep this post simple, because you can read more about it on her blog. Enjoy the pictures!!

The Living Room with just the PERFECT splash of color in only the PERFECT combination...Orange and Blue!!

Now I don't fill my house with Auburn paraphanalia (is that how you spell it??), but I do like the punch orange and blue here and there. AND I can't help but think that its a sign that today Orange and Blue will pervail. Alabama and UGA look out!!

I'm especially loving the pendant lights. That grey against all that white is a fabulous touch!!



Oh did I forget to show you the picture of my house?? Well here it is!!
Wouldn't that be a charmed life??

This isn't necessarily my style, but I had to include it.

HAPPY WEEKEND TO EVERYONE!!!

I'll be piled up on the couch watching football today. Of course I'll be glued to the Auburn game, but I can't help but admit I'll be pulling for the Gators as well. Hey, I live in FL, I can cheer for them right? Especially when they knock Bama off their high-horse!! That's a HUGE part of the reason I can tolerate the obnoxious Gator fans. Obnoxious they may be, but they dominate the most obnoxious of them all and for that I can clap my arms together and say, GO GATORS!! Don't get me wrong, I will forever be loyal to my tigers...in fact stay tuned because we got a little creative at work this week and incorporated football frenzy into a program. There are some ridiculous pictures to follow!!

"I love me a ruffle..."

Its no secret that I had a MAJOR obsession with The Rachel Zoe Project. I could watch that crazy/awesome lady over and over again. And DON'T even get me started on how much I love her assistants Brad and Taylor. The second season ended several weeks ago, but Rachel and crew are still with me in spirit.

If you watch her show, you will remember that she is the queen of pocketing her own phrases that really stick (i.e. "I die", "BANANAS,"). And one that never left my memory was, "I LOVE me a sequin."

** SIDENOTE Ok, so for those of you out there that could care less about fashion or Rachel Zoe's silliness, you're just gonna need to come back tomorrow when I will find something a little more universally appealing.

Back to my "story." Tonight I was leaving work after a grueling week of not being good enough (Anyone else feel like this? No matter how hard you try, you will never get everything done, nor will you ever be the best/what is expected of you. I guess this is what drives me because for some unexplained reason, the harder it gets, the more I work to BE the best, to BE what is expected of me. I think MDA has my number.), and I decided to treat myself to something not necessary. WHOA HOLY LONGEST SENTENCE EVER!!!

So, I'm on the budget from down under and my options are pretty limited, unfortunately. Where do I find myself going? To Old Faithful...aka Old Navy. I know I know...not exactly the most fabulous place to shop, but if you can think outside the box, you can find some separates that can make an outfit that falls in the T.D.F. file.

Anyway, as I was walking around with my arms filled with all cream colored tops, I started to notice something. In addition to the fact that I've picked out probably 8 shirts ALL cream colored, I'm drawn to all things ruffled.

And then it hit me, in pure ZOE style...I love me a ruffle!!

So here's what I narrowed down that I liked the most...
Ok give me a break...I live in Florida, where it RARELY drops below 70 degrees. We dress in layers around here and by layers I mean tanks and cardigans. SO when I saw this cutie, I started to get excited. I see a cute jeans and gold accessories outfit in the works!!

And because I absolutely refuse to sacrifice cuteness for Saturday trips to Publix (**we've all seen the movies and you have to understand how the men are here...they LOVE to pick up a girl at the most inopportune time. Im serious, come visit me, you will be extremely surprised. And truthfully, there is really a Publix here that is affectionately known as "Club Publix" because you NEVER see anyone there that couldn't be headed out right afterwards.).

And the winner for most unflattering in pictures and on the hanger but TDF when worn is this guy. I promise you when I tell you this, I loved this top as soon as tried it on. So, for all you coworkers of mine, you're welcome...my collection of white/creme tops has a new friend!! Don't judge, seriously its precious.

Christmas TDF...

Every year, Banana Republic makes a Christmas Cocktail dress that falls in my TDF (to die for)file. And while I haven't even visited my old favorite store in quite some time, the tradition continues.

I don't even have an occasion to buy my annual TDF BP dress, but it doesn't hurt to look. So when I stopped by their site to peak at the new arrivals, I found myself looking for that occasion.
Hey, I'm single again, so that means there are LOTS of parties to attend, right?

Enjoy these little gems, and don't be surprised if you see me show up to Starbucks wearing one of these for lack of an appropriate event.
I love the textured tights look, but I'm still a classic girl when it comes to a cocktail dress. This one is just yelling for some fabulous jewelry and purple/magenta heels, if you ask me.

And before I even tell you how I envision wearing this little cutie, I just want to make a side comment about the one shoulder style. Any of you guys out there that suffered through my one shoulder dress obsession for a few years know that I've had my fair share of history with this style. I definitely went through a phase in high school when I wore a one shoulder dress to just about EVERY dance we had. And for anyone from Montgomery, you know that we had LOTS of dances each year. All that being said, I swore off to this style. I promised my closet and friends that I would NEVER purchase a dress missing fabric again. Well dear friends and overflowing closet, I just might have to break my promise for this number. I'm just saying.

When I worked at Behind the Glass in college, we had an annual Christmas Cocktail party were we got DECKED OUT and went somewhere super fancy for dinner. Then we'ld be silly and all go out afterwards in our fancy attire. One year, the cutest, tiniest, most precious little girl worked with us and she had the most incredible since of style. Every outfit she put together had that feel to it that you just stare in envy and think to yourself, "I would never have thought to put all that together and DANG it looks incredible." Anyway, Katelyn wore a tiny perfect little dress just like this. So when I came across this dress, I smiled and thought of her.

So why all the Christmas Cocktail talk? Probably because I am in PURE countdown mode to get in the holiday spirit. I'm really having to fight the urge to pull out the decorations. I've already decided that I'm probably not going to opt for a tree this year for several reasons, the biggest one being that I have a male puppy at home who thinks every tree he sees needs to be marked. So I've come up with quite the alternative that I will post on as soon as its finished. Lets just say my house will smell incredible when you walk through the door and I will not lose that southern christmas touch either.

"Its not all black and white"

I hear this phrase way too many times in my office...

"Its not all black and white."

And while I know the meaning behind that theory, I get SICK of hearing about it. I just want to say that somethings really ARE black and white!!

For starters, its no secret that this little lady is officially "with it" and has jumped on the facebook train...

Unfortunately, I'm not joking with this. One day last week, I left my blackberry at home in the morning. I came to get the lifeline over lunch and had a facebook request email waiting on me. Now, I could lie and say that I laughed but I honestly did not. There's just something REALLY strange about seeing your MOTHER on facebook. I've come to grips with it. I had to give her a tutorial over the weekend. I think she stays on there 24/7 now. We all did it when we joined. So, that being said...welcome to Facebook Carol.


Another thing you can't deny is that this year is almost over. Whenever you see these guys sitting on your kitchen counter...

You just realize that time is just FLYING. Thanksgiving?? Really?? What happened to July?? Thankfully for me, July-now have been a long yet super quick journey that I never anticipated. There is just no telling what the next few months hold.

And one more thing. I just realized what I NEED for Christmas. I need some new silverware. You guys, my "collection" is pathetic. I think it was a hand-me-down from the lakehouse before the major remodel. Unfortunately for me, I haven't had the luxury of registering yet, so I'm still stuck with college kitchen wares. I try to slowly update these things but personally, I'ld rather have a new outfit or two! So, SANTA, add this to my list please.

I spent a part of my day off doing some cleaning around the house. You know the kind that you always put off for when you have time. And that time almost never comes around. But fortunately for me and any guests who may stop by, I buckled down and put on the cute rubber gloves.

After that I found myself thinking that I would just LOVE to have a WHITE bathroom. I mean "walk in and feel like its spic and span" white. I went through my growing collection of pictures that I continue to save for the day that I start tackling the re-model work and found all of these. Unbeknownst to me, I've had this white bathroom obsession for quite some time, seeing that I found LOTS of pictures to choose from.

So, here's to lots of clorox!!

On my day off...

FINALLY, I have a day off to just do whatever I want. Unfortunately the pupsters did NOT get the memo that we could sleep late and neither did my 2 alarm clocks. So up we were at 6:45. Thats just how it goes.

Despite the lack of extra sleep, I decided to start the day off with a little luxury. So I put on this sweet little thing...

And made these guys...
Cranberry Orange Muffins

Yeh right, I did NOT get all Martha and start from scratch. In fact, these delicious treats came from a BOX. All I had to do was add water. Now THAT is luxury!!

After that great start to this breezy/dreary day, I plopped down on the couch in my comfy PJ's and just hit the blog world HARD! Stumbled across several blogs that I instantly fell in love with. Look over to the right and you'll probably notice a few newbies. I'll post soon on these new finds. (**I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for blogs to follow, so if you have any suggestions...throw them my way!)

Its only 11 am and I've accomplished quite a bit. Not quite as productive as I usually am, but I can say this...its been A LOT less stressful than my usual Wednesday.

HAPPY DAY OFF!!