Rule #38 - Bottoms Up

After spending over an hour creating the perfect cheesecake filling... peanut butter cup... to die for.... at midnight for your beau's birthday, it is crucial that you check each and every step before proceeding. Not only would it be wise to actually make the crust (crushed Oreo cookies and honey roasted peanuts), it would be equally intelligent to make sure your springform pan has a bottom on it before you start pouring your heavenly creation. Failure to do so may result in a stick, gloopy mess, tears, and a happy dog who helped clean up.

Confession

I just don't get all the Sex and the City hype. Believe it or not, I have never seen so much as part of an episode of the revered SATC. And truthfully, I don't really plan on it.

There. I said it.

Inspired

For the last year I've lived with a truly wonderful girl. We dwell in an adorable condo that I've lived in for a year and a half. The time has come for my roommate and I to part ways, and she'll be moving out in the next three weeks. While I'll miss her company, I am ecstatic to turn her bedroom into a sewing/workroom for myself. I have been overflowing with design ideas all day for the room, and I've decided on a pink and gray paint scheme with pale, ballet pink and soft, dove gray in some combination. The blog Good Bones Great Pieces has a helpful feature called Color Theory where they choose six of the best paints in a chosen color. Their choices under pink and gray were both divine, and I'll have a hard time choosing.

Next I'll get a fun rug like this green houndstooth I found on Overstock for a great price to soften the old hardwoods in the room (original from the '30s when my building was built). Then I hope to add a feminine light fixture like this chandelier to give the room even more pizazz. I'll also paint my wicker desk with a metallic bronze for some pop, add my West Elm white lacquered Parson's desk, a mirror and some inspiration boards, and we'll be in business. Ooooh, how I can hardly wait!

Swimwear Swoon

Next Wednesday my family is headed to St. Thomas to spend five days in paradise. We're staying in a gorgeous villa on Cowpet Bay, and the views from the balcony seem breathtaking. We went to the Florida Keys last year, and we were definitely underwhelmed, but we're confident that St. Thomas will blow us away in the same vein of Turks & Caicos, where we spent almost a week two years ago.In honor of the Caribbean getaway, I ordered this suit from Victoria's Secret. I'm always skeptical of their fit, and I was scared the underwire would make it look too much like a bra, but it arrived this weekend, and I am pleasantly surprised. I LOVE this suit, and the print is just to die for.

Furry Friday

I think Sadie enjoyed me pulling her ears into a ponytail yesterday. Poor, sweet girl puts up with so much.

Answered Prayers

It's no secret that I'm a diet soda junkie. While I've cut back juuuuust a smidge, My taste buds still long for the carbonation and aspartame to dance across them. Not just any diet soda will do, however. No, no, it must be flavored, and typically the more flavor chemicals involved, the better. When Pepsi introduced Pepsi Jazz I was hooked immediately. The Black Cherry French Vanilla became a staple in my diet (yes, entire diet). When they discontinued it, my soul, heart and spirit were crushed. To date, nothing has been able to take its place.
During a quick jaunt to Target this afternoon to purchase a Diet Dr. Pepper, a flash of red in a nearby cooler caught my attention. Intrigued I went to examine and discovered Cherry Vanilla Pepsi. I was almost tempted to take a caloric hit and try this new gem when I saw beside it the diet version. Before I counted my prayers answered, though, I kept my reality in check knowing that it may taste differently than the heavenly Jazz version. Not to worry, my dear friends... it is EXACTLY the same. I may or may not have cried tears of joy now that my life is once again complete.

WoMANly

I'm really loving the menswear trend popping up everywhere this season. When I was in New York this weekend I stopped into a shoe store in Soho and fell heads over heels (pun intended) in love with this pair of oxfords from Miz Mooz. Unfortunately, I felt that the $90 price tag just wasn't really reasonable for a fairly trendy piece. With a heavy heart (and despite the pleas from the salesgirl to help her make commission) I left them on the shelf. I spent the rest of the weekend kicking myself (pun intended) for passing them up.Until I found these puppies on ModCloth. While I probably love the Miz Mooz pair a smidge more, the $50 difference in price easily covered the affinity gap. I can wait to get these on my tootsies!

The Aftermath

After a refreshing breakfast of Swedish Fish and Saltines on Saturday afternoon-ish, The Supermodel and I were ready to pound some pavement. The weather this weekend was G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. 72, sunny and breezy, and just the sort to brush off any remaining cocktail cobwebs. The only place I really felt like I NEEDED to go to was Mood. I'm so glad that The Supermodel thought to find out their hours, because at 3:15 we realized we only had 45 minutes until their 4:00 closing time, and we were across town. Yikes! Thankfully the textiles gods were in our favor, and we walked through the doors at 3:35 and made a beeline to the printed cottons. I pulled bolt after bolt as a wonderful helper (spotted often on Project Runway) offered to cut yardage while I browsed. While I cooed at all of the beautiful fabric, The Supermodel played paparazzi and documented my visit. 25 minutes and 20 yards later, and we were off to Soho and Chinatown.

I am so proud to say that other than the fabric I didn't buy anything for myself all weekend. Instead I plunked down some change for a "Chopard" (they assured me it was real... I doubt it, but I love it nonetheless) watch for the beau and two polos for him at H&M (mmmm, pink and green). We were both feeling peaked by the time we exited H&M, so we opted to split a pretzel and down some caffeinated carbonation before traipsing back to the Upper East Side. A low key dinner was a necessity, so after a wardrobe change and freshening up we mosey-ed over to Serendipity, just a few short blocks from The Supermodel's apartment. We both chose burgers and fries and split a luscious frozen hot chocolate. We rolled out of the dollhouse-like restaurant and cozied on the couch to watch the pirated copy of Date Night we'd picked up on the sidewalks of Chinatown for $5. Other than the odd Middle Eastern subtitles encouraging us to visit a particular Website (we were too scared to actually go there... terrified we'd be linked to terrorists or some such) and the poor audio quality, we greatly enjoyed the movie before passing out early.Sunday dawned gloriously bright and sunny, and we were up early to head to the Meatpacking District to brunch at the precious Park restaurant where we met two cute girlfriends of The Supermodel. Banana bread arrived at our table as we chatted and sipped coffee (for them) and mint lemonade (for me... and utterly divine). My brunch pick? Crab Cakes Benedict... amazingly delicious... with a side of some of the yummiest potatoes I've had the pleasure of eating. Our subway ride home introduced us to two lovely junkies and a couple armed with a couch they were transporting home. Oh, New York, I love you.

What Had Happened Was...

When I arrived in New York after spending two hours stranded on a Charlotte runway I was ready to hit the ground running. I met the Supermodel at her office and promptly went around the corner to watch this gorgeous lady shoot ads for Tiffany. She was truly stunning in real life, though shorter than I envisioned.


A brisk walk to the Supermodel's new, amazing apartment, a change of clothes, a subway ride, a few rolls of sushi, more than one beverage later, and something like this happened...
We were able to recover quite nicely Saturday afternoon and those adventures will be posted soon in a less embarrassing format.

Packing My Bags...

...And heading to New York for the weekend! The Supermodel is all settled in her Upper East Side apartment, and if getting to spend time with her wasn't reason enough to jet north, the chance of running into Jill or Bethenny is just too good to pass up. I know I'll be eating and shopping my way through the next 72 hours. Of course laughter and sweet friendship will be accompanying both activities. I haven't been quite myself of late, and I'm so looking forward to some rejuvenation and getting myself back in order.

Thursday Three

1. Sewing a needle through your finger at 1:30 in the morning doesn't feel pleasant. Equally as irritating... bleeding on your fabric.
2. Organic, gluten-free bread is the biggest waste of calories known to man.
3. I never, ever get tired of Zaxby's. Ever. Try me.

Unfit

Despite knowing that I was completely out of dog food yesterday I refused to stop at the store ro replenish my supply. I don't know what I was thinking I'd do to keep the pup fed this morning. 2 slices of salami (thanks, Roomie!) and a scoop of peanut butter later, and I don't think Miss Sadie was too pleased with my decision making skills.

Rule #37 - Resume the Position

When your boss is standing over your soldier watching you work, it is crucial that you remember before collapsing your windows that your resume is sittin' pretty as you please on your desktop. Stammering and stuttering when she mentions it won't ease the awkward situation whatsoever. Neither will dragging it into the trashcan.

The Perfect Day

They're elusive, but when you have them, there's nothing better. Sunday was my perfect day. Started with a rise 'n shine at Elevation followed by some time with the family and a brief nap. The day ended with the beau and his pup Layla, a stroll through steamy Uptown Charlotte, some cornbread and salmon cakes at Mert's and ice cream (rocky road for me... mint chocolate chip for him) and wine on the back porch.


You know, as much as I love a night of dressing up and glitzy fun, sometimes nothing's better than the simple things.

Color Me Excited

Hems & Hers is featured on today's edition of waxMAMA Charlotte... Yippee!

Check it out here!

Bring On the Rain

"This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
And weakness or trial or pain
There is faith proved more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flames

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory, and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I will stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory, and He is here

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory, and He is here

And this is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I am filled to be emptied again
The seed I receive I will sow" ~ Hillsong United