Shopaholic in Alabama

Hello Everyone! I guess you thought I dropped off the planet, huh? Sorry that I haven't blogged in so long - life has been crazy busy and that's really my only excuse. I seriously underestimated how my life would change when I went back to working a "real job"! Many of the changes have been great, and others - not so much! I am going to try blogging again on a limited basis, maybe 3-4 days per week at a maximum. I have really missed interacting with you all and hope you will be happy to see me back!  One of the things that has been keeping me busy as of late - my 25th High School Reunion. I know, I know...even I cannot believe I'm old enough to be out of high school for twenty-five years. It doesn't even seem real - but yet, it is. As an official member of our planning committee, I have been working on the reunion for months. Last weekend, it was finally time for our festivities and oh.my.goodness! What an amazing time we had! My class had both a 10 and ...

It's Valentine's Day! I hope you are having a great day with your sweetie - whether it's your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, son, daughter, parents, pet or BFF.  The hubby and I usually go to eat and he usually brings home flowers for me. We really don't make it a big deal around here. It might sound silly to some, but I feel like every day we are together is a version of Valentine's Day. My husband is always doing sweet things for me (and I don't mean just buying presents). I mean the small things - opening doors, always considering me first in every decision, picking up something he knows I will love from the store. Those kinds of things.  Today he is out of town on business, and I am home with the flu. Needless to say, there will be no celebration here tonight. However - I am looking forward to recovering from this sickness very soon, the arrival of the weekend, DH will be home, and we can have our belated Valentine's date.  In the meantim...

We all have those stores that are "Danger Zones". Perhaps yours is clothing, shoes, accessories, crafting, home decor, furniture, or electronics? Most of us have several of those type stores (I have more than I'd like to admit) - but one of my all time favorite "Danger Zones" is Bed Bath and Beyond.  The reason for my visit to BB&B is usually pretty simple. Last week, I needed a new pair of sheets for our master bedroom. Easy, right? Perhaps if you can go in, get the one item you're looking for and then leave - yes. Easy peasy. Thank goodness I have a stockpile of those "20% off one single item" coupons! (Did you know - you can use multiples of those at one time? My store will allow me to use 5 coupons per transaction.) I picked up these sheets, and if you need new ones too, I highly recommend these. A dreamy night's sleep awaits!   Naturally, while I was in the store I found other things we "needed". I fell in love with ...

Last night, we went to dinner with my sister and brother in law. Both of their birthdays are in the month of January, and my parents kept their two little boys (my nephews). So it was a great opportunity for the adults to have a fun night out!  Of course we headed over to one of our favorite restaurants here at the beach, Louisiana Lagniappe. They have an amazing menu - the drinks are fantastic and the food is to die for. My sister and I started out with a King Cake Martini, which is one of their specialty drinks.  And how does this sound - pan sauteed grouper topped with hollandaise sauce and grilled shrimp, served with a side of lump crabmeat and a twice baked potato? I will have to atone for this meal all week. We finished the night by having one of my sister BFF's and her boyfriend over for drinks and conversation. They have been friends for over 20 years, and hadn't spent any time together in years. There were lots of laughs and it was fun to see Angie again,...

For the past few years, every time DH and I have traveled to Atlanta, it has been either a work trip or a trip focused around a sporting event. We have long wanted to plan a trip up to see the Georgia Aquarium, and do a little shopping. This past weekend was a perfect time, as we both ended up with Friday, Saturday and Sunday off work.  It’s rare for us to both be off at the same time with the DH in town – so we snatched up our opportunity and headed out on Friday afternoon. We really wanted to stay at the W Hotel in Buckhead, but since this was a last minute trip, it was booked solid. Our second choice was the Westin in Buckhead, but it was also booked. We ended up at the Embassy Suites in Buckhead, which is a great hotel and a nice central location. I loved being within a mile of the MARTA station, and great shopping at both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza! On Saturday, we took MARTA to downtown and went to the Georgia Aquarium. Being lovers of all things sea-themed an...

You might have noticed, I've been absent for two weeks. Sorry I haven't updated, life has been so busy that I'm having a difficult time keeping up with everything.  Last week, I took some much needed time off work. Did I go somewhere exotic and fun? Absolutely not, I wish! With the DH's unpredictable work schedule, it's almost impossible to plan a "real trip"...so instead, I decided to take a "staycation". After being home for four days, I learned a few things. These are not breaking news or news flashes, but rather I was reminded of stuff I already know!  1. My body needs at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Since going back to work, I've been averaging around 5 or 6 hours per night (at the most). While off work, I got at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and felt great! I have now made a commitment to get more sleep.  2. It's really important to see your girlfriends. While on staycation, I had lunch with several girlfriends ...

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...

Today we are on our way to Dallas to see the Tide play on Saturday night!  As we ride along I-20 between Vicksburg, MS and Monroe, LA we are listening to XM-19, the Elvis Presley channel. Here's a little fun fact about me that you don't know yet - the first concert I ever attended was none other than Elvis! It was his last performance in Mobile, on August 29, 1976. I was only six years ago and remember the concert like it was yesterday. My Father bought the tickets and took me, Mother and Nanny. My Aunt also went with us and we had a blast. I can remember my Aunt taking me down to the stage and putting me on her shoulders in an attempt to catch one of the famous Elvis scarves. (He would throw the scarves off the stage as he used them and your primary goal was to get.a.scarf.)  I wish I could find the pictures we took before we left the house. My Father always jokes that an Elvis concert was "the best place to see beautiful women". All the ladies would dres...