And Some More

While I work on a post about my amazingly wonderful weekend, check out the Hems & Herswinners! lookbook

Lookie, Lookie

I posted some shots from last week's Hems & Hers' look book shoot on the H&H blog. Check 'em out!

Je Suis La Jeune Fille!

Growing up I guess I watched a lot of TV. Or I have an incredible memory. Or both. Either way, I saw the wondrous commercial for Muzzy multiple times a day and always secretly hoped our household would be blessed with a set of Muzzy learning sets. I even took French all through school, and I think the young girl from the Muzzy commercial influenced that decision pretty mightily. While Y'all & Yanks was once again discussing the finer points of being multi-lingual and needing to find a copy of Rosetta Stone tonight, I proffered Muzzy to her yet again. Several months ago I had a similar Muzzy flashback and found the old commercial on YouTube. I immediately sent the video to my brother, who, liked me, remembered each and every word. If the commercial verbiage can stay with me for almost 20 years, I can't even imagine the brilliance that the full course could provide. Please tell me that I'm not the only one who was obsessed with this linguistic cartoon commercial. Anyone? Anyone?

So I guess I was under the impression that once I started working for myself that life would slow down, and that I'd have more time to relax, breathe, blog... you know, the basics. Oh how wrong I was. Life, as it is wont to do, has continued to accelerate 1200 mph, and while I am truly and sincerely LOVING every second of it, my head is spinning.

I started some part-time work last week at a local stationery and gift store because I really felt the need to continue some sort of regular income. God really blessed me by opening the door, and I'm loving it so far. When I'm not at the shop I'm busy, busy, busy working with Little to keep Hems & Hers growing, and growing it has. We just had an order placed yesterday by our third boutique (this one in Chapel Hill... more on the Hems & Hers blog later this week), and we couldn't be more humbled by the feedback... and thrilled!

Over the weekend we took some time out and went to Knoxville for a family reunion... our first time back since Papaw's funeral in April. After the reunion on Saturday we headed up to his farm and started going through some of his things to decide what we wanted to remember him by. I can't explain how emotional I was to be there. I hadn't been to his house since Sis and the Beau and I visited him for the last time in March... just a few weeks before he died. Being there again, but knowing he wasn't there, and going through all the things that made him so Papaw was just overwhelming, and the grief felt brand new. After shedding my tears, I was so grateful for the opportunity to choose some things I wanted to keep of his including some amazing hats (seriously... his collection was unreal) and cowboy boots (he was a true equestrian). He wasn't a big man, and the boots fit me perfectly. I will be so proud wearing them this fall.

As soon as we got back it was back to the grind, shooting a look book for Hems & Hers on Monday. I cannot wait to share some pictures from the shoot. My sweet friend Swankypeach did so much to pull it together. I am continually blessed by the people God puts in my life!

Yesterday I bid a sorrowful adieu to Sisterectomy who moved back to Chapel Hill for her junior year. I adored every second of the time we spent together this summer (and what a conglomeration of seconds they were), and I will be missing her terribly while she's on campus being a professional Tar Hole.

Polka Dots & Protein Bars has been a lonely space over the last few weeks, but I have a list of fun incidents to share over the coming days... that is, unless this little life whirlwind scoops me right back up. I am such a happy and fulfilled girl right now!

Introducing

The Beau!
I've been keeping too many details secret about the fella that's been making this girl grin for the past few months, so without further ado, meet my beaufriend!

Hometown: Kannapolis, NC
Age: Younger than me (Gasp! I'm a cougar!)
Pets: Boxer-ish mix pup named Layla Lou!
Met Each Other: At Elevation Church (we are both production volunteers) last fall
Food He's Trying Really Hard to Tolerate For Me: Sushi
Food He'd Rather Be Eating: Anything else... especially Zaxby's chicken fingers
Best Features: His baby blues, his specs, and his smile!
Favorite Movie: The Emperor's New Groove (am I kidding? Or not?), 300, The Blind Side, other masculine action flicks and more...
Occupation: Loan whiz at one of the largest financial institutions and my personal patron saint of patience
Hobbies: Church, puppy training, working out, cooking, vodka tonic and margarita mixing, music, losing to me in Wii bowling, doing amazingly thoughtful things for yours truly
Pretends to Enjoy: Say Yes to the Dress, The September Issue, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Project Runway, Celebrity Gossip
Would Say I'm: Not high maintenance, stubborn, or overly independent
Would Really Mean: The exact opposite of all of those things
Always: Goes out of his way to encourage me and let me know how special I am to him.

Dear Beau of Mine,
You are wonderful.
XO

I've Got Street Savoir Faire

On our weekly trip to Zaxby's tonight, the beau and I ended up deep in conversation about Disney movies or cats and dogs or, well, something. I can't really remember how it happened, but we stumbled upon a forgotten favorite Disney number featuring a kitten and a street-wise dog. We both thought that it was scene from The Aristocats, but when we YouTubed it, we came up with nada. After some further Googling of all Disney movies ever made, we had an "Aha" moment when our eyes lit upon the rather obscure "Oliver & Company." A quick YouTube search, and voila! Our ears and eyes feasted on this ditty, and as such, I needed to share with all of you. I now have a happy heart.

Furry Friday

Happy weekend, lovelies! Sadie has her toys and is ready for some car rides and play time. Hope y'all are too!

Music To My Ears

Admittedly I'm not generally on the cutting edge of the music industry, but over the last few weeks I've forced myself to turn off the television and enjoy some ear candy as my beloved Bernina hums merrily along in harmony. A few of my favorites lately?

1. Paper Tongues - The beau and I had the pleasure of hearing this group from Charlotte open for Switchfoot in December. They totally blew us away then, and I'm thrilled they're blowing up the national music scene of late. "Soul" is without a doubt my favorite track, and it ends up on repeat often.
2. Amy Grant - A perennial favorite, "Baby, Baby," "Gallileo," "Ask Me," and the newer "Better Than A Hallelujah" are always a treat. I used to fantasize that Amy Grant would come adopt me (don't worry, Little and Daddy, I'd still be yours too). It hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it will soon.
3. Elevation Worship - My wonderful church released their newest single on iTunes this week. I've been rocking to "Kingdom Come," on Saturday nights and Sundays, but I'm thrilled I can listen to it and lift my hands (not while the sewing machine is running, of course!) during the week as well.
4. Pastor Steven Furtick Podcasts - I've attended Elevation for about a year and a half, but as such, I missed many a powerful sermon during the early days of the church's existence. Thanks to podcasts on iTunes, I'm slowing working my way through old sermons, and the messages are dynamic, powerful and enriching as ever.
5. Muse - Kate Hudson's romantic choices are right on, and Muse and I are having a moment right now. Not just for invigorating workouts, Muse has powered me through several of The Hundred Dresses lately.
6. The Jai Ho - Bolly. Wood. That's all.
7. Rascal Flatts - I love Rascal Flatts and always will. It doesn't matter how many times I've heard their tracks. They make me happy.
8. MIKA - If you don't know MIKA, then you haven't lived yet. Lobster and I have shared many a car dance party to the tunes of "Lollipop," "Love Today," and "Big Girl, You Are Beautiful." Sis and I have continued the tradition including "We Are Golden" into our set. If I'm ever feeling down or blue, MIKA cheers me instantly. No joke. Try it yourself, and then try to tell me I'm wrong.
9. Hanson - "Mmbop." Nuff said.
10. Hellogoodbye - Although I (embarrassingly) found out about Hellogoodbye thanks to an unfortunate Real World marathon viewing a few years ago, they top my playlist regularly. "Touch Down, Turn Around," is hard to listen to without shakin' at least a little bit.

So what are you listening to right now?

The Hundred Dresses

When I was younger, I loved the book The Hundred Dresses. While not a feel good story by any means, I was transfixed by the story. Well, in recent months, my life has turned into a new version of The Hundred Dresses. In early spring I was contacted by a sweet blog reader who had followed the progression of Hems & Hers and had the utmost faith in our abilities. She inquired whether I would be interested in creating approximately 100 dresses for her sorority to wear during one round of their fall rush. Ecstatic and foolishly unintimidated by such an enormous task, Little and I leapt at the opportunity to create such a huge order.

This order, more than almost anything else, acted as an incredible catalyst propelling me toward pursuing Hems & Hers full time and believing in it as more than a hobby. The Hundred Dress (as we've taken to referring to them as) are due Friday, and it's hard to believe that the journey we've been on with them is almost over. We've experienced several hiccups along the way that have spurred refinement in our business operations, and the girls' patience of has been wonderfully appreciated as we feel our way through a monumental orientation to this new world and uncharted territory.

We had the pleasure of seeing several of the girls in their dresses Sunday afternoon, and I have no doubt that the girls will be the prettiest on campus come September. I won't post pictures until the chapter does, but trust me when I tell you, that the lovely ladies look, well, just lovely.

About A Blog

Here's the thing about blogs: They aren't your own. They aren't private, and they aren't anonymous despite attempts to keep them as both. They may feel like a safe place to share thoughts, but ultimately there are ramifications for every word written on these digital pages. More people are reading your thoughts than you know, and that shouldn't be taken lightly. Ever.

Last night I posted a True Story Tuesday that was unfair to post. Hurt feelings and severed relationships are never, ever worth a laugh or entertainment. Even when the intent of a blurb, factual or not, isn't mean, hurtful or malicious, that doesn't mean that everyone who comes across this corner of the interwebs is aware of that, or that they interpret it in the same way it's intended.

I will have to live with the fact that my post not only hurt others but painted a skewed representation of me that I can't change. To some readers, I appeared vicious, hateful and un-Christlike, and I hate that. As a reminder to myself and all of you who operate blogs, you do not type in a vacuum, and once feelings are hurt because of a public forum like a blog, they can't be un-hurt. And for that, I am extremely sorry.

A Quickie

If you're not following my wonderful stylish and fabulous friend at Y'all & Yanks, then you're just crazy. Her adventures as a newbie in the city are sweet, poignant, funny and fashionable... just like the lady herself. Now, go on. Get over there!

Twenty Four Candles

I turned 24 on Saturday and spent the weekend celebrating! On Friday night the beau and I headed over to Little and Daddy's where we had a birthday cookout with Sis and some friends, present fest, homemade ice cream courtesy of the beau, and a rousing death match of Spoons.

Saturday morning was spent teaching some Vietnamese refugees to sew - a post of its own, and a truly amazing experience. The first of many with these incredible women, to be sure. The rest of the day was a surprise... the beau had planned the afternoon and evening to make me feel loved and special, and he made sure to include my favorite activities. First? A trip to Laser Quest, where I dominated him in several rounds of laser tag (have we discussed my obsession with laser tag? It's intense), a post-match meal at Zaxby's (my fave) where we split the aptly titled Birthday Cake Milkshake, which was a party on my tongue, and then we got fancified and capped the night with the Lobster and He-Lobster at one of our favorite hangouts, Thomas Street Tavern. Today while Little and I plugged away at the epic 100 Dresses (also a post of its own) for Hems & Hers, the beau took my car and washed, waxed and detailed it. Those who know me in real life will know that my poor CRV hasn't been touched with a nary a sud or splash of water, much less a vacuum cleaner in years, so that was such a treat. Without further ado, a few snapshots of the weekend. I'm so excited about my 24th year... I have no doubt that it will be unforgettable and amazing.