Fabulous Friday - A day late!

Better late than never, right? The last two days have been absolutely crazy! Thursday morning I was up at 4:50 and down to the hotel gym by 5am. I worked out for an hour, got ready, repacked, checked out & was on my way to deliver my Time Manag*ment session. Once done, I was on the road to Boston to fly home.

Have I ever told you that I've developed some sensitivity to oysters? Can't eat them. Well, I can eat them, but I just can't, um...retain them. Le sigh - and I used to LOVE them! It seems that I've managed to develop this sensitivity to lobster. I wasn't completely sure until Thursday when in Logan I had a cup of lobster bisque. Bad move on my part. I felt it coming on as soon as I had eaten 4 bites. No more lobster for me - and it was so good too!The worst part of my airport dining experience? The man next to me who decided he needed to be on the phone the entire time, speaking super loudly even after his steamed clams were delivered. Which smelled awful. Which made me hurry up and leave to get to my gate. Where I proceeded to fall asleep to the grumblings of my stomach. Finally aboard the plane, I got settled into my seat & prayed for an uneventful flight. Yeah, not so lucky. The stomach was twisting and turning, my ears were awful (I've been congested & flying is never fun when you're like this) and the pilot decided to very, very slowly descend - pain on ears. Finally home, I collapsed in bed, exhausted.

In the office yesterday I was slammed - getting ready for next week's trip to New England. I had every intention of doing Fabulous Friday, but never had a chance! So, without further ado, a shortened version of Fabulous Friday.

Amber over at Life As We Know It gave me the Splash Award. Thank you Amber! If you haven't been to her blog yet, you simply must! She is a Tiger fan - GEAUX Tigers! She's also absolutely beautiful.

The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.

I like to think that I'm all of these things, but like most women, I'm not so sure. Thanks Amber for the much needed self confidence boost!

When you receive this award, you must:

• Put the logo on your blog/post.
• Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
• Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
• Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award.

In following along with the rules, I'm passing this on to the following bloggers:

• Megan - In this wonderful life
• Lindsey - Learning to be a Wife
• Annie - Chapters of Our Life
• Tara - Jimmy Choos & Tennis Shoes
• b.e.g. - Brown Eyed Girl
• Brittany - Notes From the Grove
• Heather - Live.Love.Laugh.
• Kimmie - Full Circle
• Kelly - Part of Life is Having a Good Ponytail

I'm highlighting this as part of Fabulous Friday since I think all of these women are fabulous & I adore Amber for passing this on to me!

Sarah of It might seem crazy but we call it Life was my swap partner recently. She is totally on the ball & my scarf was waiting for me when I got home from New England! Sarah, yours will be in the mail this week - I didn't have a chance to get out while I was away. She sent me a simply wonderful teal blue scarf & included a tube of her favorite lip gloss. I can't tell you what her's will be, but I hope she'll love it!

So for this late edition of Fabulous Friday (on a Saturday) I'm highlighting fabulous bloggers. Make sure you pop over to each of these women's blogs - they're simply FABULOUS!!

PS: I apologize for my lessened commenting - I was just slammed last week.

Wishful Wednesday - Pets

Kelsey at The Seattle Smith's began a Wishful Wednesday weekly post to help everyone get over the hump day. I thought it was a great idea and smiled when I saw this week's topic - "I wish my pet could talk because I've been dying to know ____."

This was a great one to come up because I've often wondered just what my animals think.

ETA: Pepe is an orange cat who was a rescue from the snow. He weighed 4lbs & the vet said he was only 4 months old. You could feel every single bone (almost not kidding - you could feel his jaw bone & see each of his ribs) in his body. Hayden is a goofy Yellow Lab. Hayden & Pepe are both 7 years old. Maddy was my Great Dane. We had to put her to sleep last year at the ripe, old age of 9.

So, if Pepe Cat could speak, I would have to ask him why he speaks with a French accent. I imagine his reply would be something like this (think French), "Vell cherie, it iz very simple. Ju named me Pepe le Pew - how could I NOT speak in dis accent?"Very well put, Pepe Cat. I can understand that. My next question would be why he sits at the bottom of the stairs gazing around & then jets up to the top so quickly you wonder if he was even there. Maybe something to do with the ghosts of girlfriends past?

To Hayden I would turn and ask her what she does exactly all day. What is involved in a dog's (especially this dog's) life? Does she move from ottoman to big chair? That, my dear puppy, will be changing the minute our new furniture arrives! Do you go to the door when you hear odd noises? Do you bark - the only time I've heard this dog bark is when the garage door opens & when she's at the front door to go out.
Lately, though, I've had a heavy heart - I miss my Maddy more than anything and still cry over losing her. I have the best memories of her - she walked beside me through so much change and heartbreak in my life - and I smile often when I think of her. I wish that I could speak to Maddy just once to ask if she was happy with me. I would ask her if she is at peace now. I'd make sure she knew how much I loved her and I'd tell her that I loved every single day I had with her.

What would you wish for? Head on over to The Seattle Smiths & participate in the fun.

Don't ya know?

If you haven't already, you should, no, you MUST head over to Molly Lou Gifts to enter her 200th Post Giveaway!

I'm a huge, huge fan of MLG & her online store. Everything there is fabulous & I wish I could buy one of everything!! But, I'm not rich, so therefore, I cannot buy one of everything or Mrs. Potts might be Ms. Potts - guess who controls my checkbook? Just kidding Mr. Potts! I know you have our best interests at heart.

So head on over there now - you can let her know I sent you.

Hair Update & Thanks!

Thank you for all of your suggestions to my hair care question. This weekend I stopped in at Ulta and picked up small bottles (for traveling purposes - plus it's nice to try before you commit) of Pureology Hydrage Shampoo and Conditioner. I love the scent they have and how well they work! So far so good.
I also picked up a small bottle of Moroccan Oil (thanks to Landlocked Mermaid for suggesting this a while back). I have to admit, I'm in LOVE! It cut my styling time by 15 minutes & left me with super soft, super smooth hair. I would strongly suggest picking some up if you have unruly (think wavy/curly/kinky/frizzy/thick) hair. I can't tell you how pleased I am!

It's sure to be a super busy morning in New England - I hope you'll all have a great day!

New Furnishings!

This weekend was a busy one in the Potts' household. We journeyed to Hickory, NC (furniture capital of the world) to go to the Hickory Furniture Mart. We had been talking about new furniture for the longest time & finally decided that we needed to stimulate Hickory's economy. We put on our walking shoes (with 4 levels and 13 acres to cover, it was not a time for cute shoes).

We walked out several hours later thrilled with our new purchases & eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Mr. Potts is most thrilled about this piece, his new leather chair & ottoman. We picked the fabric out & couldn't be happier!In addition to his new chair, we also acquired a new sofa with chaise lounge. The sofa has 3 cushions and the chaise has one. They can be anchored together or pulled apart for when we have company. It is in a different material & color. Not a microfiber suede'ish but smoother & an oatmeal color. If you look at the picture below, it is the sofa (minus the part on left - so more like a sofa) and the chaise on the right. LOVE IT!
Note: To actually see all of the picture, click on it - to enlarge.You can't get new furniture without getting a new end table & coffee table, right? We loved these when we saw them.

Our last purchase & one I absolutely THRILLED with is this new kitchen table & buffet! Ours will be in a dark ebony & we'll have stools (that swivel - I'm such a kid that I get excited over this) instead of the chairs. We ordered two chairs that we can use on the ends when we have more people over. The other side of the table (opposite what the picture shows) is a 9 bottle wine rack & an additional drawer. I can't wait to have people over & utilize the table! The buffet (we're not going with the top piece right now - we don't have china & we thought it might be overkill) will be perfect for our holiday party & for Christmas dinner!




I am so in love with every piece!

I flew to New England today & am going to be absolutely swamped through the week. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Fabulous Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone! It's here - another edition of Fabulous Friday! A highlight of all things fabulous that I've stumbled across over the course of this week (in no particular order, of course!).

Don't you just love chunky bracelets? I found this bracelet from apogeedesign on Etsy and fell in love! Right now they're running 25% off on purchases. I may have to snap this up.



Today I sent flowers to Mr. Potts' grandmother, affectionately called Meme. I'm sure she'll love them and Mr. Potts once told me that he falls more in love with me every day and one reason is how I take the time to remember his grandmother. He said that my notes & occasional surprises make her month & that most people wouldn't think to do that. I told him simply that she's my grandmother now too & she's the only one I have. Aren't these gorgeous?


I'm itching to get my nails done in a deep Fall shade. Doesn't this Essie color fit the bill? Decadent Diva - Essie Nail Polish
Someone has already bought the Halloween candy. Twix bars are my favorite candy & even better when they're Fun Size. Have you ever frozen the fun size? They're perfect! Super crunchy!I told Mr. Potts last night that I want a fall wreath for our front door. We received several Crate and Barrel gift cards for our wedding. Wouldn't this be a perfect thing to use them on?

And last but not least, I want to highlight MCW of Saving the Best for Last...(fingers crossed). What can I say? She has hair like mine - thick & takes forever to dry (instant love there), she went to the First Annual Heavy Seas Beer & Bacon Festival (remember National Talk Like a Pirate Day? She was celebrating it!) and she goes to all these great food places & writes about them!! If you haven't already, go by & say Hi!

Hope you all have a Fabulous Friday!!

Two Questions

I have two questions for you all. One begins with "Why" (and is more of a mini rant) the other begins with "What". Let's begin.

1. Why, fellow dog owners, can you not pick up after your dog? I understand the random, "Oops! Puppy, I thought you were done!" No problem, been there, dealt with that. Yet if I continually am dodging your pet's pile, in the same area of the same street day in & day out, that's not a "Whoops" moment. I've got plenty of grocery bags, maybe I'll set a few out for you in that specific stop.

What brought on question #1? Well, when walking Hayden today, thankfully in the old slip on sports sandals we have just for that very reason, I stepped in a one of the anonymous pet's left behinds. I wanted to vomit. I would have been steaming mad had I been in my work shoes. Seriously? Just pick up after your dog!!

2. What, fellow bloggers, would you recommend for taking care of my hair? I thought I'd try the Loreal that doesn't have sulfates in it, but I don't like it. I use the Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco for conditioner & love that, but would be open to suggestions since sometimes I switch it up. I don't mind spending money on shampoo & condioner, but don't think I'd move up to Kerastase since that is a bit out of my price range.I have naturally wavy hair that has a tendency to frizz very easily. I typically wash my hair every 3-4 days since it is really thick & takes forever to blow dry straight & then go over with either a curling iron or flat iron. So I need something that is fairly conditioning, without being too too heavy. Any styling product recommendations are welcome too!

Thank you!!

Wishful Wednesday

'I wish' .... I got paid $1 million a year to ____!

(job or career)

My thoughts usually go all over the place with things like this. My biggest wish would be that I got paid $1 million a year to run a doggie daycare on a huge piece of land. I'd incorporate my mom & the children as well. With a big enough house and a huge piece of land, they could live there worry free.

They'd be exposed to fresh air & doggies & my mom would be in heaven getting to see and interact with lots of animals each day. Not only that, but since I would be getting so well paid, I'd rescue tons of animals too. Dogs & cats & squirrels & all sorts of other fuzzy things.

Wishful Wednesday was started by Kelsey over at The Seattle Smith's as a way to get us through those lovely hump days.In her own words, "It may be a wish, a hope, a dream or an aspiration - some topics may be fun & playful and others more insightful - but most importantly, it will give us an opportunity to get to know our fellow bloggers a little bit better, and see what makes each of us tick..."

I also had to share a picture of our dinner from Monday night. The Strawberry Chicken salad with Goat Cheese was so good we had it again last night. I added some Granny Smith Apple pieces to it & while it may look like the chicken is piled on there, it really isn't.


What do you wish you were paid $1 million a year to do?

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Well, almost. Today at 5:18pm it will officially be fall. Let's just get technical about it, huh?

I've been salivating over Fall. I've been eagerly awaiting it. Finally it is here & to celebrate, how about a little round-up of what I'm excited about.

• It's time for fall food! Chicken & Dumplings, Roasted Butternut Squash soup with Fontina Grilled Cheese and chili (well, chili cookoffs!).
• Fall sweaters. Specifically thinking this one from White & Warren - best cashmere ever.
• Fall leaves - I'll be in Northern New England the next two weeks for work. Can't wait to see the beauty!
• Cool weather. Let's be honest, I have the face that is cherry red when I'm hot. I sweat. My hair fluffs like crazy & grows 5 inches in height. I deserve a little break, right?
• Fall boots. Wouldn't these be yummy?
• Fall desserts. I'm thinking of apple crisps in Maine, homemade pecan pie (best recipe ever!), pumpkin cheese cake...yum!
• Fall means Thanksgiving (and Thanksgiving dinner) is just around the corner!

Anything that I'm missing out on?

Fall TV is BACK!

Mr. Potts and I use NetFlix to catch up with shows we may want to watch, but missed two seasons or to watch the occasional movie. We just recently set Weeds up to be sent to us. We began watching is last night & it is hysterical! Love Mary-Louise Parker. She plays the central character so well - with so much heart!

Tonight is the premiere of Heroes! We love love love (I tend to triple things when I'm really emphasizing) that show!! Ali Larter is back, ya'll! Watch out!
Fall TV is here!! Who's excited?

Argghh Mateys!

Today is National Talk Like a Pirates Day - me hopes you won't be havin to walk da plank. Sorry attempt at Pirate talk, huh?

If you were in Baltimore, you could celebrate at the First Annual Beer & Bacon Festival.

Happy Saturday, ya'll. Mateys, I mean!

Fabulous Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone! It's here - another edition of Fabulous Friday! A highlight of all things fabulous that I've stumbled across over the course of this week (in no particular order, of course!).

One of the first things I'd like to highlight is a special blogger. I've been following Julie from That Girl & her Pug since I started. She's real. She's honest - she shares what's going on in her life without making everything rainbows, unicorns and sprinkles. Yesterday she took me back to some of my favorite TV shows (and especially made me miss Sex and The City!) and she's in love with Fall (just like me!). She's simply fabulous - go wish her a happy Friday!

Next up? A new watch. I know that my Cartier lust won't be fulfilled for some time (hey, a girl can dream right? And if you're going to dream, dream BIG I say.) so I thought a new MICHELLE watch would fill in nicely for the Tank watch. Still a little on the pricey side, so I doubt this will happen any time soon.

I may have mentioned that I'm ready for fall and I just might have mentioned that I love sweaters & soft squishy sweaters. I found this one from Banana Republic and am ready to wear it! Fabulous color? Check! Comfy, wrap your arms around you fit? Check! Soft, not too wooly? Check! I think I may have to go snag one of these.


I recently stumbled into a Bath & Body Works Store. I don't normally head in there as the scents are typically too sickly sweet for me. I can't do the lotions (unless it's the kind in the blue packaging). When I stepped in there a few weeks back I was killing a little time and decided to check out the candles. I'm a huge believer that candles can enhance a room. Can make it more romantic. Can add a scent that will make people think they're in the middle of fall. Can disguise the smell of scorched pans - not that I EVER do that! While in there, I found the Leaves candle. Talk about smelling like fall! Love it! If you're in need of a fall candle, I would highly recommend this one!Last up - I love these BCBGMAXAZRIA boots. Love them. Love the detail, love the toe, love the heel, love the color. LOVE.




Aren't you all glad it's Friday? We're in for a weekend of rain here, so I'll be snuggling under my favorite blanket and watching movies/DVR.

Happy Happy Friday!!

10 Things Thursday

With the first (official) day of fall right around the corner I thought it may be fun to do a list of my favorite things about Fall.

Top 10 Favorite Things About Fall

1. Cooler weather - I love the fact that I don't break out in a sweat the second I step out the door.
2. The month of November - when Mr. Potts & I got married.
3. Fall leaves. We're going to the mountains for a weekend to see his dad & step-mom in October & I fully expect to see lots of this.4. Fall food. Nothing better about food than the fact that you can have chili cook-offs, make homemade chicken & dumplings & butternut squash soup.
5. Fall clothes! Sweaters & jeans & boots OH MY!
6. College Football. 'Nuff said.
7. Fall flowers. I'm getting ready to plant some mums & such at our front door. I'm also going to send our Meme (Mr. Potts' grandmother) this bouquet.8. Fall in New England - I'll be there for two weeks at the end of September/beginning of October.
9. Time on the couch catching up on favorite fall tv shows snuggled under a blanket.
10. Break out the hot chocolate!
What are your favorite things about Fall?

I'm a winner!

I am so super excited! I learned yesterday that I have won a blog makeover from Krizzy Designs via All-American Jess! I entered Jess' giveaway, not thinking I would win (but secretly hoping I would). I love when other bloggers announce their new designs and I could spend hours pouring over them. I'm not sure what I should be going for in terms of a new look - kind of like when you debate over your hair. Should I cut bangs or not? Should I add more layers? Everyone does that right? So if you have any suggestions of what you think I should go for, please share them!

On an entirely different note, Mr. Potts and I went to my aunt's house and had dinner last night with her, my other aunt & her husband. I was excited to go since I hadn't seen them in a while, but at the same time a little nervous. Why nervous? Well, because my aunt and her husband (I guess that would qualify him as my uncle) are not healthy. There's just no other way to put it. When they eat, they eat BIG.

They love to grill steaks. When I think of steak, I like to think of a small (6oz) filet or maybe a small NY strip. When they think steaks, they like 1 1/2" thick Porterhouses. Last night, I swear to you they had to be 2" thick. I thought I would die when my uncle brought the tray out to the grill. I searched for pictures, but when you look at them online before they're cooked, they're a little frightening - kind of like last night.

So I cut the filet portion off of the porterhouse & tried not to totally wreck my WW points. I've got to plug them in now & see what it looks like. Thankfully, tonight is Cardio Sculpt, so that may help make it better!

Happy Wednesday!

1 down, 4 to go!

Today was such a hectic day. From being out three days last week, I had a ton to catch up on. It was on, non-stop & didn't slow down until I walked out the door.

After a quick run to the grocery store to grab some things for dinner (yummy salad - mixed greens, grilled chicken, walnuts, strawberries, goat cheese and a little balsamic vinaigrette) Hayden & I set off for a nice walk. Our salad tonight looked a little like this.
Have you ever hit the "cool spots" when you're walking? The air where you're walking is about 5 degrees cooler. I found a few of those on our walk tonight - heaven! Anyone know what I'm talking about?

I also joined Weight Watchers tonight - b.e.g., you talked me into it. I'm in! Only online though. Does anyone have any feedback or tips to be successful with this?

Happy Monday!

I'll see you tomorrow night...

Le sigh....Eric.
I die.

Photos by Chris Maluszynski.

Fabulous Friday!

It's here - another edition of Fabulous Friday! A highlight of all things fabulous that I've stumbled across over the course of this week (in no particular order, of course!)

To begin, I mentioned yesterday that scarves have been in my radar in a major way lately. I'm thinking specifically of this scarf from Nordstrom. Isn't it yummy?The minute I mentioned this scarf fixation two wonderful readers (shouts out to Brittany Ann & b.e.g.) sent me over to Loves of Life and her Scarf Swap. Little did they know that I had already scouted it out twice yesterday. So along with scarves, I'm loving the idea of the Scarf Swap! Head on over to Loves of Life to sign up.


While out sick this week, I've had the opportunity to catch up on lots of t.v. and especially What Not to Wear. I would love to have Stacy & Clinton show up on my doorstep with a $5000 VISA gift card! A new reader, Jane, suggested that we make our own home videos & send them in. I'm in! Although, I would hope they wouldn't have that much to rip me to shreds over.


Kimmie over at Full Circle is another Fabulous Friday addition! She is such a wonderful baker - she sent me cookies & they were phenomenal! Kimmie, I have the pictures in my camera which unfortunately, my mother has at the moment. Sundays Kimmie showcases cupcakes. Yummy, sweet, delicious cupcakes. Beautiful, artsy, FUN cupcakes!! Sesame Street Cupcakes, Dinosaur Cupcakes, OH MY!!

This bag. I love handbags. I may have a slight problem in that I love them so much. I really would love a new black bag (my old one is too small). This beautiful MARC by Marc Jacobs is fabulous! And on SALE!!
This week while being laid up so so sick on the couch (thank you all again for your well wishes) I broke out my Pottery Barn Bamboo Cotton Throw. I got this last year and absolutely love it! It is a beautiful rust color and I had it embroidered with my new initials. It is so super soft & cozy. I had a friend once tell me that I was "texture oriented" and he was so right! I love soft, fuzzy, cozy, yummy. Yes, I use the word yummy to describe clothes & throws. Anyway, my favorite throw is no longer available (how I wish it was - I'd get 2 more!) but I did manage to find a picture, just not the right color. You can somewhat see the softness of the material in the picture.What have you found this week that is worthy of Fabulous Friday?

Remembering

I'd like to pay tribute to a day I don't think any one of us will ever forget. Do you remember what you were doing 8 years ago? I was in my first job out of college. I was a manager in a call center that was staffed predominantly by spouses of men (and some women) in the Marine Corps.
A friend of mine told me the WTC had been hit by a plane. My thoughts immediately were that this was a fluke - a total accident. She told me just a minute later that there had been a second plane. Soon we were watching this on tv in the break room with all of our employees surrounding us, many of us holding hands. When the smoke began to pour out, I began to sob. I cried for so many innocents and for the hatred that would propel something like that.
I carry that with me to this day and will never forget the people that lost their lives as well as those that gave theirs trying to save lives.

God bless you all and your families.

Ten for Thursday

Ten things that struck me today while being home uber sick

1. Unexpected emails from blogging friends sending me well wishes totally make a sick girl's day - Thank You b.e.g.!
2. There's really nothing better than chicken noodle soup (and yeah, I went old school Campbell's) when you're not feeling well.
3. Watching back to back showings of What Not to Wear really makes me wish that Stacey & Clinton would show up at my door with a $5000 Visa Gift Card!
4. Scarves are in my radar right now. Especially super soft ones from Nordstrom.
5. Nothing makes a girl feel more loved than having a loving hubby bring home soup when she's not feeling good.
6. I popped outside to take Hayden out and fell in love with the weather all over again. Fall is almost here!
7. Guilty feelings abound when the husband who brought you home soup comes home & tells you he thinks he's got what you've got.
   
8. I need to pull up my summer plants (which didn't do so well this year) and plant some fall ones. Any suggestions of what to put in some pots on our porch?
9. When I'm not feeling well, the last thing I want to do is play ball with the dog.
10. I hope I got a new magazine in the mail today.

Aren't Thursday's special? You have the anticipation of Friday getting here & then the weekend. They're even more special if you're not sick & haven't infected your hubby with your germs. Blech.

Ya'll, I'm sick

I'm not one to complain & I usually just soldier through when I don't feel well, but this time, I'm sick. Not just a little runny nose & maybe a little sore throat sick, but full on, "What truck just backed up over me for the 10th time?" sick.

So sick that my doctor told me to stay home from work for the next few days. When I told my boss that Mr. Potts was going to stop by the office to pick some things up for me, she told me to take the rest of the week off & recover. She's fabulous. I'm sure I'll be checking in, but the time to recover will be so nice.

The thing is, I'm sure there are tons of people out there who if they're super sick don't stay home. Instead, they bring their germs into the office. Sharing them, as the case may be. I definitely think that if you're under the weather, you should not expose anyone to your germs. Do you stay home if you're awfully ill or do you go into work?

It was a mellow Monday

What a wonderful weekend in the Potts' household. We always look forward to an extra day to relax. Relax was definitely the key word of the weekend. We spent Saturday and Sunday out on the lake just floating. The cool weather these last few weeks cooled the water a bit and it was so wonderful out there. We had views like this:
When we head to the lake we typically stop in at Subway and get sandwiches to take out with us. Lucky for us (and our new friend) that we did. Once we were anchored, we had a friendly little duck that swam over to us and quacked out a hello. Being the soft-hearted person that I am, I had to share some of my sandwich, so I tore little pieces of bread off for him. He really enjoyed it since the next day (we usually drop anchor in the same cove) he brought a friend. Too bad for them, we'd already eaten.

We're planning on a picnic the last day we take the boat out - probably sometime in October. I've been thinking of the meal & it will probably entail some homemade fried chicken, baked potato salad & another dish. A few bottles of wine too. We have to do something to celebrate the summer and to close up the boat for winter.

We spent some time this morning looking at furniture at West Elm. We're just getting ideas right now - we'll probably end up heading to Hickory, NC (furniture capital of the world - well, that may be a slight exaggeration) and spending a day there looking around.

What we looked at today is something like this from West Elm. We're thinking an oatmeal/cream color with an additional piece to lengthen it & an ottoman to add a "lounge".

After we were finished with our shopping we headed to my mom's & grilled out with her & the munchkins. My niece and nephew are so interested in the camera & taking pictures. I left the camera with my mom so she could get some pictures of my niece heading to school. Once I get it back, I'll have to show you the pictures they took. After dinner my niece & I practiced her letters. She wants to be, "smart like Uncle Mr. Potts." So sweet!

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Deep Fried Butter

**I interrupt your regular Friday reading with a 2nd post**

My heart! I just came across this article about deep fried butter. I was repulsed, but at the same time, intrigued. I mean, who would think to do this??

Thoughts?

Fabulous Friday!

Aren't you glad that Friday is here - and we have a long weekend! Mr. Potts and I had a great night at the Panther's game. They played awfully (and I won't bore you with my theories concerning our team and what they need to do to improve), but we enjoyed cool weather that really has me so ready for fall.

As always, in no particular order, some of my favorite things (and people).

I can't believe I'm highlighting her since she just moved to Pittsburgh & apparently is a HUGE Steelers fan ( Julie, I'm soo disappointed - well, more so in my own team) but Julie of Wearing Mascara is a wonderful blogger who just moved from the DC area to Pittsburgh. Her blog is fabulous & always makes me laugh. If you're not already following her in her journeys, you definitely should. At the very least, you have to go check her out for her fabulous header!


Another things I'm really loving right now is the ring pictured below. This was part of the wedding present that Mr. Potts gave me. When he gave it to me, I almost started crying. It's such a beautiful ring and a reminder of such a wonderful weekend in our lives. Plus, I love the fact that it is sparkly & definitely a fashion statement. I think it's pretty timeless.


Mr. Potts and I have a wedding to attend at the end of October. It is supposed to be an outdoor wedding & October here can still be fairly warm. This dress (from Nordstrom) is one I'm considering. I love the color, love that I can wear it again & the fit looks perfect. What do you think?

I recently stumbled across the online jewelry site for Stella & Dot. I found this necklace & fell in love with it. They have amazing pieces of jewelry & since I'm trying to update some of mine this site fits the bill. Some things are a bit out of my price range, but isn't it fun to look?


I have a hair appointment on Tuesday and I think that when I go in, I'm going to tell my hairstylist that I'd like to go a tad darker - a la Jennifer Aniston. I'm including 2 pictures since I think the first one (from He's Just Not That Into You) is more of a spring/summer look while the second picture is more fall/winter. I'm going for fall/winter. What do you think? Have any of you ever gone a little darker (and I'm not talking a huge difference, just a shade or two)? What did you think? Did you like it?

Also, don't forget to enter the contests listed in my sidebar. Molly Lou Gifts, Living in the Moment, A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door and Stuttering Shell all have great giveaways going on.

Hope you enjoyed my Fabulous Friday!