Boot Scooting

This evening is my last at home before the spring 4th quarter begins at school (where I go, not teach at). I'm doing a little on line browsing.  This evening I was on the hunt for some ankle boots.  My friend Elizabeth does not like ankle boots...And so we do not talk about them but I thought "talking" about them via blog post might suffice.

There was a pair of Tory Burch leopard boots I just loved.  In fact I ordered them, then they sat in my closet and I didn't wear them and finally...I decided to return them. Now, 4 months later I'm having a major sad face because I let them go.  What in the world was I thinking?  Just because I didn't wear them that week didn't mean I wouldn't wear them ever.  Sheesh.  Have I not learned anything about myself in my time...buying my own shoes?

None the less my void for ankle boots has not been filled.  Tonight, however, my hunt for ankle boots resulted in a completely different style find.  Rather than animal print calf hair, and stilletto...I found flat and with a splash of country. I've gone to the polar opposite.  Not only do I currently (this week at least) desire a different style, I've gone from Tory Burch to Aerosoles. Yes go on, laugh it out because I surely am.

 Via: Aerosoles

Mystique

 

Via: Tory Burch 

Patricia Leopard  High Heel Bootie

Fortunately for me, my shoe desires are short lived and pass with the season.
Besides, it's sandal weather, why am I shopping for boots anyway!

Spring Break in New Orleans

Well after spending a few days in the "New York City of the South"...
I can totally say I (heart) N.O. 

Last week we spent 5 lovely days in the
beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana. 

The Canadian and I jumped in the car with the enthusiasm of children 

on Christmas morning for the somewhat short drive (6 hours). 

We were in New Orleans for 8 days about 2 years
ago but for a different purpose.

We were working with a group of high school
youth through the Episcopal Disaster Relief Organization.

We spent the bulk of our time in the St. Bernard Parish working
on a house that had been nearly destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.
The youth really grew up that week as they dry walled
and "mudded" the entire house. It was some of the
hardest yet most rewarding work I have ever done. 

As we entered the city this time,
we reflected upon our previous visit.  

How much fun we had with the kids,
the good food we consumed, the many laughs we had. 

The purpose of this trip was to EAT. 

This is why you go to New Orleans.
In fact, don't go there, unless you plan on eating!

The Central Grocery: Muffuletta 

Cochon: ANYTHING! 

This place has been in the NY Times! 

You need a reservation. 

We were fortunate to walk in after the lunch 

reservation crowd and got a table. 

This was a complete fluke, MAKE A RESERVATION!

Frankie and Johnny's: Po Boy Sandwich

This place looks like something you'd drive past and

 never get out of the car. But trust me, you want 

to pull your wagon over at this dive! 

A little dose of St. Patrick's Day.

Cafe Du Monde: YUM

Wait in the line, trust me. 

It's a great American pastime. 

The city has a heavy French influence...

Praise the Lord because it sure is good!

The most delicious oysters from the 

Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter.

The Carousal Bar in The Hotel Monteleone is fabulous!

A must see in New Orleans.  

For the folks in Memphis, it is a lot like the Peabody.

Full of history, great crowd to be amongst. 

The sights are great from one end of 

Magazine Street to the other.  

This was in the garden at a restaurant. 

On St. Patrick's day these taps flowed green. 

Happy Hour in New Orleans: They're everywhere. 

We were frequenters of the happy hour 

at Rum House on Magazine Street. 

The Architecture in New Orleans is glorious! 

So many pretty things to see. 

An antique store on Magazine Street...

...are monumental!

While strolling down Magazine Street...

I found a piece of Worlds Away furniture 

in one of the VERY lovely interior design stores.

After working with this company, 

it sure is neat to see these pieces out in the world. 

The Canadian can't go on a voyage 

without visiting a church. 

So we did.  Quite a few actually. 

Joan of Arc looks out over the French Quarter.

St. George's Episcopal School:Classic Building 

This house is so beautiful.  

There are rows upon rows of houses that look like this. 

And speaking of looking at houses....

We gave up on driving the car and trying to find 

parking and rented these two sassy things.

I have never had so much fun. 

Quite seriously, these scooters are on the top of my "fun" list!

Yes, we wore helmets. 

Here I am getting a tutorial from the store on Magazine Street

on the first day.  We rented them for two days. 

What a great trip. 

Riding the scooters and playing in the sun was amazing. 

We left with a little tan (me with a little burn) and full tummies.

I highly recommend a trip to New Orleans! 

Vignette Rehearsal

On Saturday I worked on freshening things up. 

I moved some furniture around...a norm for me. 

I moved some books around, etc....

and moved my newly recovered Chinese stools. 

They did have a dark green silk top.  

They are now adorned with a white ostrich.

Fortunately, Handsome was on hand for consultation.

He reminded me that I had to many stacks of books. 

So...I moved the stack that are sitting on the stools. 

 

...and reworked the stack on top. 

That was enough work for Handsome....

he retired to the sun room for a rest.

...and so that was Saturday. 

I can't believe that was 4 days ago...more soon.

It's Florence Broadhurst Time.

l

 Hello lovely ladies.

 I believe Florence Broadhurst to be a genius.
Her prints are very visually inspiring to not only to my eye
...but also to my outfits.

The staging of this store is simply lovely. 

 Love these shoes!

Can't decide which color is my favorite. 

 Beautiful prints and colors for Spring 2012.

 Books and buttons "Oh my"....

 This wall of boxes makes me so happy.

It was oh so difficult to make a decision the options seemed endless.
But alas, I decided on a small bit of "happy" for the day....

Cards in hand, I walk away a happy camper.

What I've been wearing lately

Christmas Holiday 2011

I haven't posted for a long time.  So long that I actually forgot my password.  That's an indication that it was to long, right there.  I didn't need a date to tell me when my last post was...just that simple neglect and ability to forget.

 You remember me, right?

I've been cheating on blogger with instagram, pinterest, and twitter. Quite frankly my attention span has somehow become shorter and instagram what with the picture and 1 sentence post is all I'm able to pay attention to.  Again, pathetic I know.

But as time has gone by, I realized that I missed Christmas.  You must think I'm a Grinch or something.

As per my regular blogging ways, here are a few photos to guide you through the happenings of our
visit to Kansas.

 Christmas Eve Dinner in Memphis

 Geoffrey and I after Christmas Eve Services for 2011 were over!!!!

 On Boxing Day, we headed to Kansas.

Handsome was not exactly "thrilled" but he got over it. 

He HATES riding in the car for the first 20  minutes, then he's fine. 

 I read my new Design Sponge book the entire way through Arkansas. 

 ....and held hands with my husband. 

 The drive looks like this a lot of the time while 

driving through northern Oklahoma. 

 We finally reached my parent's home in Eureka, Kansas. 

Pulling up in this driveway always makes me happy. 

 This is my Dad.  

I'm giving him a special shout out...

he's a super cool guy. 

 Looking down the hallway at Mom and Dad's house.

We didn't put up any Christmas decor at our house, 

so I was happy to see it in full force during our visit.

 When I was younger I wouldn't have cared much about 

the wine glasses on the table, but now at 

my current age (ahem), they are oh so delightful.

 Mother always finds the best home decor accessories. 

It has become impossible to take things out of her house

and bring them back to Memphis. The jig is up, 

 Geoff and Dad reading new cookbooks.

The library of cookbooks is quite extensive...

This is a good thing because the food options are endless. 

 If it's not in this kitchen...it does not exist. 

 I'm sure my Mother is going to LOVE this photo.

But none the less, it's pretty and the rolls were good!

 One of the holiday traditions between my Mom and I 

is that we have a "matchy-matchy".  This year for Christmas

one of them was our Kate Spade Bow Rings. 

 While in Eureka, we went to Wichita for a day trip.

Something we did nearly every weekend when I was growing up.

 My Mother wears lovely shoes. 

An interest and love I have inherited. 

 Dinner "out" in Wichita.  

Mom and Geoff were scoping the seating 

options like a couple of hawks. 

Which makes sense, they were hungry!

 Mother and Dad have a couple of really 

lovely porches at their house.

This is one of them upstairs. 

We spent some time in here our last day in Eureka. 

 Oh yes, and Handsome. 

While we were in Kansas he did not waist not nor want not. 

He drank his water at bedside on a silver platter. 

...and then attempted to drive the car home to Memphis.