Shopaholic in Alabama

Happy Hump Day, Shopaholics!  This summer, I have been wearing my pink Toywatch and round face gold Gucci watches almost exclusively. And I never thought I would say it - but I'm getting a little tired of looking at those two. Yesterday, it was time to show a different style a little love. I was excited to find the above watches in my jewelry box (I actually forgot about the ESQ and Gucci bangle). Imagine my surprise when none of the four watches worked. Dead batteries, I presume. I set them all to 9:00 and waited. Still nothing. So today I'm off to the jewelry repair, and hoping that once batteries are replaced, they will be good as new!  Does this happen to you? Several things not working at the same time? So frustrating, huh? Maybe I should just forget about the time today! :-)  Have a Wonderful Wednesday!  p.s. Does anyone else think that Gucci bangle might be close to vintage status? I'm no Gucci watch expert...

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope your week is off to an amazing start! :-)  Long time readers will recall that I have previously blogged about my love of couponing (see January post HERE ). I will admit that I consider myself a "Coupon Queen". Think about it...you already know you're a Shopaholic, what better way to channel your shopping skills and save money at the same time? Most of my shopping and couponing is done in national drug stores CVS and Walgreen's, as well as my local Publix supermarket. Most of the cashiers in the stores know me - and are amazed at what I can save in a trip. I always save at least 50% on my grocery total - but many times I will save 70%, 80% and 90% if I'm really on my game.  In addition to saving hard earned $$$ that I would much rather spend on "fun stuff" like Lilly Pulitzer dresses and Tory Burch tunics, couponing affords me another opportunity. I am always able to make donations to my favorite charities, or when ...

Happy Monday! Warning: This post might make you hungry! :-)  One of my favorite things about living on the Alabama Gulf Coast is the accessibility of fresh seafood. Sometimes we catch it ourselves - other times we buy it. Regardless of how we acquire the seafood, it's a staple in our diet.  Yesterday we had a hankering for a shrimp boil. So, I went to the store and got everything we needed to prepare a coastal feast! When putting together a "traditional" shrimp boil on the gulf coast, most folks include shrimp, new potatoes, corn and occasionally sausage. However, I am trying to limit my carbs this week (must look cute in halter top at Kid Rock concert in a week) so I decided to modify our ingredients. We started with 4 pounds of fresh shrimp, one pound of Andouille sausage, and whole, fresh mushrooms.  This is the part where people ask "don't you just use the package of crab boil in the box?". Ummm, yes and no...the boxed crab boil - when used ac...

Happy Saturday!  This Shopaholic has seen more than her fair share of hurricanes. Living on the Alabama Gulf Coast, it's something you always take seriously and hate to see that "cone of uncertainty" with your town in the center of the map. Worse than that, you begin shaking in your flip flops and stocking the supplies when Jim Cantore and The Weather Channel arrive at your beach - a potential sign of impending doom.  Today I would like to say "good luck and better times ahead" for all my east coast friends and family who are either already experiencing, or will experience, Hurricane Irene this weekend. Please make certain you have everything you need to weather the storm, and heed any evacuation warnings. While a hurricane (even a "small" Category 1 storm) may seem like a good reason to whip up a Dark 'N Stormy and wear your Lilly, I promise you it's not!  Hope you are all looking at beautiful images like this out your windows aga...

TGIF! Welcome to the newest edition of Fearless Fitness Friday!  Today I'm thrilled to report - I have lost 23 pounds on my weight loss journey. Believe me, I am planning to lose more and need to lose more (at least another 23 pounds); but for a brief moment I would like to celebrate losing the 23!  I have been discouraged along the way. Even at 23 pounds lost, I feel like it has taken way too long and I should have lost more weight already. However - it's important to take a step back and realize this is quite an accomplishment. Imagine my surprise when I googled to see what 5 pounds of fat would look like and found the image above. Take a good look at what an extra 5, 10, 15 or 20 pounds of fat looks like. It's quite disgusting actually - to think how much extra weight I have been carrying around for the past eight or so years. Gross!  Over the last two - three weeks I haven't been on my game as much as I need to be. Oh I have a boatload of excuses, like thes...

Hello Shopaholics!  Earlier this year, I made myself a promise that I would read one or two books each month - just for fun! And then I promised you guys that I would share my finds and review them for you here. The good news? I've been reading my two books a month, and most of them were checked out at the library. The bad news? I've been doing an awful job of blogging about this! Must do better, starting today! :-)  A few weeks ago, I finished reading "Star Island" by Carl Hiaasen. This is my fourth or fifth Carl Hiaasen book, and I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. (I am currently reading an older Hiaasen that I picked up at the library). I love his sense of humor, the entertaining tales set in Florida, and his way of weaving together a plot with an interesting group of characters.  I almost didn't purchase this book, based on the Amazon reviews, but I'm glad I did. Don't get me wrong, this is not literary genius - it is pure guilt...

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway sponsored by one of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer Via stores, The Pink Pelican (birthday giveaway originally posted HERE ).  After a random drawing, I am thrilled to announce the giveaway winner. Congratulations to "how i met your father blog" with the comment below - you are the winner of the beautiful Lilly Pulitzer Murfee Scarf! Please contact me (lori.driver@hotmail.com) with your shipping information and I'll forward to the Pelican for shipping! Again, thanks to everyone who entered, shared, tweeted, etc - The Pink Pelican was absolutely thrilled with the response! how i met your father blog  said... i follow both shopaholic and pink pelican on twitter (@himyf) August 12, 2011 11:04 AM  Moving right along to Wish List Wednesday...IF I were going to shop the Lilly sale again (which I have no intention of doing, but stranger things have happened), these are a few of the items that might "complete" my res...

 Eliana Dress in Turquoise Moheatoh, Sale Price $99, Retail Price $298 Hello my friends! This morning I had a little extra spring in my step, knowing it was the "Big Day" as the Lilly Pulitzer Endless Summer Sale would begin. I hopped right out of bed and immediately turned on the laptop - even before having my caffeine fix. :-)  Although a lot of the Lilly Pulitzer summer 2011 was included in this sale, I opted for a few of the older pieces from previous Resort and Spring collections. Some of these I have been trying to find for quite a while, and was thrilled to see them available at great prices!  My heart skipped a beat when I found the Eliana dress (see above photo) on Lilly's website. I have wanted this ever since I saw LP's Fashion Director, Janie Schoenborn, photographed in the dress. Side note: if you ever get a chance to meet Janie, take advantage of it. She is a doll and a design genius! Now I'm happy to report the dress is on it's way to my...

Happy Monday!  It's been a while since I blogged about trying a new cosmetic or skin care item, but this one is worth it's own post. A few weeks ago, my BFF Ashleigh was at the beach and had a new mascara she used before we went out to dinner. Of course Ashleigh knows I'm a total product junkie, and offered to let me try her tube. The mascara was "They're Real" by Benefit, which is sold at Sephora, Ulta, and department stores that carry Benefit.  The difference in my lashes with this mascara was ah-maze-ing. I couldn't believe it, and believe me when I say, I have tried all the supposedly "amazing" mascaras on the market. For years, I thought Definicils by Lancome and Diorshow by Dior were the best mascaras. Then I thought Magnascopic by Estee Lauder was the best. Several months ago, I bought MultiplEYE by Tarte and was so impressed I recommended it to all my family and friends. Guess what? "They're Real" by Benefit kicks all...

Happy Sunday, Shopaholics! Are you having a nice weekend? I sure hope so!  There are one thousand, two hundred and eighty miles on my bum this week; I am thrilled to be home from my road trip! Thank goodness the DH is home for the weekend and we are able to spend it together. It seems like I haven't seen him in forever (we were apart for thirteen days, to be exact). We plan to enjoy the beach today, have a home cooked meal tonight (my homemade pot roast and veggies), and get ready for that 5:30AM Monday morning alarm! Already dreading it... On my way home, I saw gas as "cheap" as $3.27 in Gaffney, South Carolina. I sure hope the prices are going down where you live - we're still paying anywhere from $3.55 - $3.60 here at the beach. It's official - I've turned into my Father. He is absolutely fascinated by gas prices and always asks me how much the gas was - no matter where I go. I guess he's rubbed off on me.  :-)   Have a Super Sunday and enj...

TGIF, Shopaholics! Are you ready for the weekend? Any big plans? Other than traveling home, I plan to take it easy this weekend. The DH is supposed to come home so I'm pretty excited about that! :-)  Yesterday I took advantage of my last full day in Charlotte. I was so excited when BFF Lisa told me there was a Trader Joe's right down the road from her house. Shopping list in hand, I took off.  To sum up my Trader Joe's experience, you could say "it's a good thing she is driving instead of flying". I purchased twelve bottles of wine (eight of which were Two Buck Chuck), several bags of snacks (including my favorite Veggie Sticks Potato Snacks, in my opinion they taste like McDonald's french fries) and a few new relishes and salsas to try. Already, I wish I'd purchased more of those darn Veggie Stick Potato Snacks...I hope they make it back home with me. Maybe I should hide them (from myself) in the car as I fear that combined with a Diet Coke...

Wow - is it really already Thursday? Hope you're having a great week and are planning a nice weekend. School started at home this week (and is starting next week in Charlotte) so it seems like everyone is taking advantage of the last days of their freedom summer.  Yesterday was day three of my visit to the Queen City, and I was lucky enough to meet several bloggers that live in the Charlotte area. We had a marvelous lunch at Cafe Monte, which is located in Phillips Place near Southpark Mall. Please see the photo above and "meet" my new blog friends, from Left to Right: Annie from "Classic Annie" (link to Annie's blog HERE ), Lauren from "Adventures of a Southern Newlywed" (link to Lauren's blog HERE ) ,  Amanda from "Pink Cashmere Cardigan" (link to Amanda's blog HERE ) and of course, yours truly on the far right. All the girls were so warm and friendly, and we had plenty to discuss. You can imagine I'm sure, but no...

Happy Hump Day, Shopaholics! Hope your week has been wonderful so far, I am having a great time in Charlotte.  Yesterday I met one of my BFF's for lunch. Lis and I worked together for years (are you seeing the common theme here yet?) and I have missed her soooo much, I can't even begin to tell you guys. Long time followers might remember my blog post about cleaning out my closet and the friend that helped me "get it together" by giving me a healthy dose of tough love (you can read it HERE ). Lis is THAT friend. :-) She now has a new job and is no longer with our former employer. My BFF looks great, is thrilled with her new position, has lost a bunch of weight, and is absolutely glowing.  We had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte, Firebirds at Stonecrest, which is near Ballantyne. I used to frequent Firebirds as often as possible. They have a great lunch and dinner menu, but I always get the same exact thing. A smokehouse Burger ( BBQ sauce, a...