Shopaholic in Alabama

Happy Thursday everyone! Hope you're having a great week, I can't believe it's almost over. I've been "off" every day since Monday was a holiday, good thing I have calendars all over the place around the house. :-) Many of you will remember that a few weeks ago I posted photos of my 40th birthday party. (original post HERE ). The picture of the Strawberry Cheese Ring my sister made created lots of interest, both here on the blog and on Facebook . I should tell you guys - this is one of the recipes that my Mother, sister and I make for almost every party we host or attend. It was originally introduced to us by the man who catered my wedding, wayyyyy back when. Then he also catered my sister's wedding. Now sure how Mother talked him into the recipe - but she managed to do so. To protect his privacy and "secrets" I won't post his name, but...I will share the recipe. STRAWBERRY CHEESE RING (2) Cups grated Cheddar Cheese (1) Cup Chopped ...

Congratulations to all the "Shopaholic Birthday Days" giveaway winners! Below you will find the final list. If you've won a giveaway, please be sure to contact me (lori.driver@hotmail.com) so we can get the ball rolling on your prize! You have 72 hours to claim - or I'll have to draw another winner! Day One - Caroline Grace Jewelry - "Laurie" Day Two - mcc designs - "AMStarkey" Day Three - Lotus and Lilly - "Equinegirls" Day Four - Preppy Princess - "DCGopGirl" Day Five - Lynn Whelan Designs - "Southern Living: Preppy Style" Day Six - Preppy Ladybug - "Sweet Tea and Biscuits" Day Seven - At The Blue Barn - "Fried Pink Tomato" Day Eight - Under The Palm Tree - "Adventures of the pink passport" Day Nine - Kiel James Patrick - "jilly" Day Ten - The Pink Pelican - "heatheremery" Day Eleven - Votre Vu - "CALillylover" Day Twelve - The Pink Giraffe - ...

Happy Tuesday, Shopaholics! Didn't I tell you that I celebrated my birthday the entire month of August? :-) After today, the month is changing and my mind will slowly begin to turn to late summer (known as Fall everywhere else) and football season. Let me thank my lovely friend Kristina over at Lotus and Lilly for a thoughtful and generous birthday gift. Kristina's work is absolutely gorgeous. I was thrilled and surprised when she sent me a clutch and matching headband for my birthday! They are both made from vintage Lilly Pulitzer fabric, named Familia de Gato. The clutch is available to view on the website HERE . Thanks again Kristina, I love them both. Shopaholic tip: Be sure to join the Lotus and Lilly Facebook page, for special deals and promotions. :-) Another surprise came to me from The Preppy Ladybug . Shannon sent me a set of the Pink Coral Notecards, which I had mentioned here on Shopaholic as one of my favorite items from her store. I've already used sever...

Happy Sunday, Shopaholics! It's been raining here for days, I'm so tired of it. According to the experts, it won't stop until at least Wednesday! This is making me very grumpy... Thought I would share some photos from the birthday party with you! These were taken last Saturday night. We had a great time, and my sister and DH did such a great job of putting the party together in record time. Birthday cake, by "Pollman's Bakery" in Mobile. Disclaimer: DH knows I'm a total snob about my b'day cake, and it absolutely must have a beach scene. This is what the bakery came up with "sunset on the beach"... These strawberries were so yummy! My sister whipped up a delish cream cheese dip to accompany...and the decorations were made by the lovely Shannon at "The Preppy Ladybug" (Etsy link HERE ). How about a Strawberry Cheese Ring? These are staples at all our parties. Seriously, I think my friend Mary showed up just because she knew ...

Happy Monday, everyone! Finally - the birthday celebrations are over! My "official" 40th party was Saturday night. Photos to come later, above is my real birthday cake. The photo isn't that great, but at least you can see it! Today I wanted to show you some of the lovely and generous gifts birthday gifts I received. First let me say I am blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. I KNOW I am a very lucky girl! From my friend over at Caroline Grace Jewelry ...a cuff bracelet in gold leather with an embellished seahorse. This cuff is stunning in person - I've worn it several times already. The gold goes with everything and is a perfect late summer wardrobe addition. You can view on CGJ's Etsy site HERE . Thank you, Caroline Grace! From my lovely friend Heather, a silver seashell platter. I was so surprised when I received Heather's gift, what a sweet friend she is! We used it at my birthday party to display the pink and green M and M's and it...

TGIF, Shopaholics! Has your week been crazy? Mine has - my birthday celebrations have continued with lunches and dinners out with the BFF's, more gifts arriving, and a major shopping spree over at the online Lilly Pulitzer sale. (More about that in another post). See? I told you - Leos take their "birthday month" very, very seriously!  Welcome to Day Fifteen of Shopaholic Birthday Giveaway Days! I'm hosting these in honor of my 40th birthday. It was on August 12....but we're still celebrating! Hopefully you're enjoying the birthday celebration as much as I am (and will continue to, we're having a little party on Saturday). This has been a fun way to stop thinking about getting older, and profile some of my favorite designers, websites, stores and brands! Thanks so much to my wonderful friend Hannah at Gigi's Hidden Treasures in Cartersville, GA. Gigi's is the lovely store sponsoring today's giveaway! Rest assured, if I lived in the ATL ...

Happy Saturday, my Shopaholic friends! What are you doing this weekend? Today I plan to get in some beach time, here's hoping the weather is nice enough! The DH is off work and we plan to make a day of it. :-)  Welcome to Day Fourteen of Shopaholic Birthday Giveaway Days! I'm hosting these in honor of my 40th birthday. It was on August 12...and we all know that Leos celebrate not just one day....but many days! I've been known to call it my "birthday week" or even "birthday month".  Hopefully you're enjoying the birthday celebration as much as I am! This has been a fun way to stop thinking about getting older, and profile some of my favorite designers, websites, stores and brands! Thanks so much to my wonderful friends at Lifeguard Press for sponsoring our 14th giveaway! I have a wonderful partnership with Lifeguard Press. Occasionally they will send items for me to review on the blog, which I hope is helpful to you the reader. Additionally, ...

TGIF, Shopaholics! The past few days have been a whirlwind around here. I've been all over this coast, and have experienced a wide range of emotions. Thursday I drove over to Ocean Springs, MS for the memorial tribute to my dear friend Lisa, who many of you know as " Bumpkin On A Swing ". The setting was beautiful - a huge tent outside at the home she shared with her Captain. The place was packed, it was obvious Lisa was well loved by her family, friends, co-workers, and the local community. You'll be pleased to hear that the Captain was holding up very well. He managed to speak at the service, and it was clear from his words the special relationship they had. BFF Trish (of Pink Preppy Lilly Lover fame) and her DH were there also, and we sat for a while (in the swing, of course) and talked over Lisa's impact on our lives and what she meant to us. I truly felt blessed to have known Lisa, and to have been there for her life's celebration. Knowing that Trish...

Happy Thursday! Before you ask, no that isn't my birthday cake! I wish it was - isn't it just fabulous? Beach and Buffet style, I love it! :-) Today is my 40th birthday. Even I can't believe it's here. There are so many things I wanted to do - planned to do - before I turned 40. Some of these things I have accomplished, others I haven't. I am willing to admit it - I love my birthday. I'm a LEO, after all; and a total diva about the day. This year feels different, I guess because I'm 40. Wow. I look at young people and think, "I'm not much older than them.....am I"? But of course, I am! However, I plan to enjoy the day and not focus on "the number". It really doesn't matter anyway, does it? At the end of the day...it's just a number. The DH is home today to celebrate with me. I'm getting my hair done, and we're having a wonderful dinner out tonight. Let the fun begin!  p.s. Don't forget to tune in tomorro...

Happy Tuesday, Shopaholic friends! I can't believe it - but in 2 days, I will be 40. Yikes! Welcome to Day Thirteen of Shopaholic Birthday Giveaway Days! I'm hosting these in honor of my 40th birthday coming on August 12...it's a fun way to stop thinking about getting older, and profile some of my favorite designers, websites, stores and brands! HA Thanks so much to a great friend of mine - Kalle of Lil & Kalle - for sponsoring our 13th giveaway! This Etsy shop specializies in personalized, one of a kind creations. (link HERE ). They offer accessories, bags and children's items. The attention to detail is amazing, with beautiful color and pattern combinations.  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away - Kalle and I worked together. I'm happy we have remained friends over the years, and was thrilled when Kalle welcomed her first child last year. A beautiful daughter named.....guess what?? Lillie! :-) Let's show Lil & Kal...