Shopaholic in Alabama

Do you ever think about your life experiences and decide that something is so fabulous it needs to go on your "bucket list"? It could be something you've already accomplished (like finishing a marathon) or a place you want to visit (Mediterranean Greek Isle cruise for 20 yr wedding anniversary). My bucket list is actually pretty basic...retire early...not have a mortgage past age 60...visit Australia, Bora Bora and the Greek Isles (see above). Also on my list: stay in every W Hotel worldwide. I'm a hotel snob (please don't judge) and love nothing more than staying in a swanky hotel. Fresh, crisp linens - a cool vibe - fabulous bath products - the staff knowing exactly what I want before I do. These are the things that are important to me.  I visited my first W Hotel years ago, and was instantly amazed at the level of service and the property. To date I have stayed at W Hotels in: New Orleans (2 different ones), New York (2 different ones) and Seattle. Nex...

Join the Red Carpet Party tonight on Facebook, as my new venture launches at 7pm CST. Please wish me luck, and if you're so inclined, join us HERE . This is a new way to buy fashion and designer inspired jewelry! With most items priced between $15-45, it's affordable and accessible to everyone on Facebook!  Quantities are limited - and it's easy to purchase. Simply "Like" the page on Facebook ( HERE ). If you want to purchase an item, please comment under the photo of the item with "SOLD", your Paypal email address, and the quantity you want. You'll receive an invoice through Paypal, and all invoices must be paid within 24 hours or the item goes to the next buyer in line. Once you've paid, your purchase will be shipped immediately.  In the coming weeks, there will be tons of items available - just in time for the holiday shopping season! Don't forget to "like" the page, and join us online at 7pm CST tonight. 

Until this moment, it was a well-guarded secret...but now the cat is out of the bag! I am a Barbie collector. They are currently stored away and not displayed, but I have a Barbie collector that consists of mainly designer Barbies. Think Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Versace, Bob Mackie, etc.  Since my Barbies are stored, I haven't been very tuned in to the newer Barbie collections. However, I just noticed that Mattel has now reproduced the University of Alabama Barbie. She was available years ago (yes, I have the old one - think mid 1990's) and is now available again!  In addition to the Alabama Barbie, there are Auburn, LSU and Arkansas Barbies. You know - if that's your thing! :-)  The dolls can be purchased on the Barbie Collector website HERE  - and I hear they are also available at Wal-Mart. This would be one of the few things to make me say "I'm going to Wal-Mart".  Do you also collect Barbies? Which ones are your favorites? Roll Tide...

I know, I know...you must be thinking "you're late to this party, Lori". Believe me, I already know! ha! But now I'm on the bandwagon and I like it!  Many of my blogger friends have been talking about Birchbox for months, and I recently decided to get on the waiting list and join the party. When my August box arrived, I was thrilled with the contents and wanted to show you everything I received.  For August, Birchbox contents had a "beauty school" theme in honor of the back to school season. My box included DDF Brightening Cleanser (which I plan to give away, as I only use a specific brand of cleanser). It also included LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst, which I used on my hair yesterday and loved. This is something I might purchase in a full size version.  The Dr. Jart+ Waterfuse Beauty Balm is a multi purpose product that includes a SPF25. I might try it on one of those days that I don't plan to leave the house and am not wearing any ma...

Maybe this is a little too personal to share - but, hopefully my post will help eliminate a myth and ease your mind.  What is the myth, you ask? The myth: it hurts to have a mammogram. The truth: it is not painful, not in the least. How do I know, you ask? The truth: I had one last Friday. It was the first time I've ever had a mammogram. And I'm 42 (eek!) years old, so my doctor said it was past time to get my first mammogram.  In case you're wondering, I have absolutely no reason to be concerned about the results of my test. Nothing materialized during my recent checkup to cause concern, but hey...you never know!  So here is my advice: if your doctor recommends a mammogram, go get one. It's not painful, and it's always better to know if something is going on in your body. You can fight what you know - and you can't fight what you don't know. Admittedly, I will be on pins and needles until I hear the results of mine... Have a great Monday! 

Last Saturday, we attended Alabama's first home game of the season. Going to Tuscaloosa for the games is always a blast, but we tend to do the same things and go to the same places almost every week we're in town. Last week, we made an effort to hit downtown Tuscaloosa before the game - and we were not disappointed!  If you are in Tuscaloosa at any point during the season, and you need something to wear, be sure to visit The Shirt Shop. They are on Greensboro Avenue, and carry a wide variety of preppy brands you will love. Looking for Vineyard Vines gear with the Alabama logo? They have it here! Elizabeth McKay, Alice & Trixie and Joie are other ladies staples in this Tuscaloosa Tradition. The Shirt Shop also has a wide variety of men's merchandise, including the Vineyard Vines Alabama gear.  I was thrilled to find this elephant scarf. It is manufactured exclusively for The Shirt Shop, so of course I had to buy one. I needed more game day wardrobe options becaus...

Do you remember my post a while back about Jules Reid? (If not, you can view HERE ). Suffice to say, I have a tunic obsession that goes back many many years and always have my eyes peeled for fabulous finds. The Virginia Tunic from Jules Reid (available on her website HERE ) is now officially one of my favorites.  You know how we all love receiving a blue box on our doorstep? Well, how about a teal box? All of your purchases from Jules Reid arrive in this fabulous teal box, tied with a bow, ready for gift giving. In my case, the tunic was a "gift to self" - aren't those some of the best ones? We all need a treat every now and then. :-)  I paired my tunic with white shorts and gold wedges (please forgive my hair, I needed highlights so bad when this was taken). With the imminent arrival of Fall, I plan to wear my Virginia with jeans and wedges.  Don't forget - the Virginia Tunic is available on the Jules Reid website HERE . The Resort Holiday collection is up a...

Doesn't that sound like a dream on a Monday morning? Who doesn't want to quit their job, buy a ticket to paradise, get a tan in paradise, fall in love (quite possibly again with the same person you already love!), and never return? The folks at Island Company  are making it easy for us to at least act like that's what we're doing everyday!  I recently discovered Island Company and love all of their products! They are headquartered in West Palm Beach (not a surprise, huh?). Island Company is a focused lifestyle brand featuring women's and men's apparel, accessories, sun care, and lots of fun things. The brand is a perfect match to our lifestyle here on the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Today, I will be sporting the Quit Your Job Tervis Tumbler on my desk at work. Think everyone will understand that I'm not happy to be working on a Monday? HA! You can get yours HERE on their website.  The folks at Island Company were kind enough to send me a few products to rev...

Forecast View Calendar 10-Day Forecast for station  KALGULFS7 Sunday, 9 83  | 66 °F Partly Cloudy Chance of Precipitation 0% Monday, 10 81  | 72 °F Clear Chance of Precipitation 0% Tuesday, 11 82  | 72 °F Clear Chance of Precipitation 10% Wednesday, 12 81  | 73 °F Chance of Rain Chance of Precipitation 20% Thursday, 13 81  | 73 °F Mostly Cloudy Chance of Precipitation 0% Friday, 14 82  | 73 °F Partly Cloudy Chance of Precipitation 0% Saturday, 15 82  | 73 °F Chance of T-storms Chance of Precipitation 50% Sunday, 16 81  | 75 °F Chance of T-storms Chance of Precipitation 40% Monday, 17 82  | 75 °F Chance of T-storms Chance of Precipitation 40% Tuesday, 18 82  | 75 °F Clear Chance of Precipitation 0% Source:  BestForecast  at 8:47 AM CDT on September 09, 2012 Descriptive Forecast Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday - I've been lazy all day and trying to get a few things done at home.  Above you'll see ...

Do you ever have a brief moment of clarity?  It could be about anything life throws your way - a gut instinct regarding a career change, a relationship change, or a change in your habits? Oprah calls these "Ah Ha" moments, and I'm inclined to agree. Last week I was faced with evacuating from my home here at the beach due to the pending arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Luckily, our area was mostly spared from any damage and turns out evacuation probably wasn't necessary...but I still had to go through the motions.  After packing up all my important papers (deeds, titles, insurance documents), my wedding photos (I got married such a long time ago there are no electronic copies) and my jewelry - I was standing there in my spare bedroom looking at the contents of my closet. Then I looked at my second closet. I had to decide - what to take and what to leave. As you can imagine, the entire process was completely overwhelming. It was in that moment that I went "Ah Ha...

Over the long weekend, I finally had a chance to try on some of the Lilly Pulitzer Fall collection pieces. As I have mentioned here before, Fall is generally my least favorite season for Lilly. Not because I don't love the clothes (of course I do) - but mainly because we don't have much cold weather here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Plus it's really difficult for me to get into sweater dresses when it's 90-100 degrees outside.  First up: the Kinley Sweater Dress. I absolutely loved this dress on, and didn't feel like I was going to die from a heat stroke while wearing it. I purchased this one and plan to wear it early in the season on it's own, later with a Sherette Sweater Coat or some type of cardigan.  Second: the Hart Top in Tusk In The Sun. Sorry I didn't get a photo of me in this piece, not sure what I was thinking. Anyway - I loved this top, and of course the elephants were right up my alley. Hart now lives in my closet, and I've alrea...