HELP: Decorating 101

I love looking at great fashion and home decor, but I am terrible at putting all the pieces together. Clothes, home furnishings, decorations, everything. I just can't pick this up there and that here and make it all work effortlessly together. 

For instance, I can see a whole room at places like Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware and want to order everything I see - furniture, paint on the walls, window treatments, rugs, accessories, everything. Sadly, my wallet does not allow me to pre-order such rooms.  That led me to buying a "set" of furniture when we were first married. It was just easy. No thinking was required. "What? This couch comes with those side tables and coffee table AND chair and a half? Sold."   Now, I find it boring. No interest at all.  I am getting rid of it (slowly) piece by piece. 

This blog has a point, I promise. 

And here it is: I need help.  

Can all of you readers out there provide me with some info?  Know of  great places (online or store) where I can find great one-of-a-kind (but practical), stylish, fabulous furniture and home decor?  And if it won't break the bank, that is even better. 

Specifically right now I am looking for some sort of TV stand or media center, coffee table, chair for living room, window treatments (don't ask me to sew. I wish I could), and a small eating table and chairs (probably one that just sits two. We have a larger one already).   I love throw pillows, artwork, and "sit-arounds", as my Nana calls them.  I envy well decorated homes. Mine just isn't. 

I think I just need a decorator.  I am no good at this. But those who are, please, share the knowledge.  I will be eternally grateful. And so will my walls. Thank you. 

Beautiful beach wedding

Trey and I spent the weekend in Orange Beach for Seth and Maggie's wedding. It was perfect! She was a stunning bride, of course, and Seth was looking good in the seersucker!

It was a family thing - Trey was a groomsman and Adam (Trey's brother) played at the reception. We had the best time!

Here are a few pictures: (sorry, I am too impatient to get them in order of the night)

Me and Trey at the rehearsal dinner Friday night.

Trey had to get some of the music action at the reception! Here he is playing the mandolin. Adam is on the far left.

Me and Maggie - such a gorgeous bride. I was in love with her hair!

Again, this time with the harmonica.

The groomsmen with the groom.

Me and my friend, Marsey, making fun of the arm pose!! (sorry, Laura!)

You know, posing on the beach.

Trey walking down the aisle. I LOVED the yellow dresses. The blue and yellow with the beach/water background was gorgeous!

Leaving for the honeymoon!

this just in.

If you keep up at all, you may know that I am on softball team, much against my will. (re: here) And you may also recall we have been on a losing streak, losing the first game by close to 20 runs. (and here)

Well, my softball career has really taken off since I last wrote. We won our first game this week. And I scored. For real. I did a little cheer afterwards. 

Nevermind the fact that the catcher voiced her concern to the other players that they were about to lose to the GoatDogs, and, in her words, "they lose by, like, a lot every game".  Thanks for the words of confidence, miss. 

We have a game on Monday.  Here's hoping we continue our winning streak. 

Readers, if I even begin to mention the possibility of playing next season, please someone remind me to just don't. I am not a softball player; I pray for rain on game days. 

Happy weekend. 

my best friend's wedding.

This past weekend we were in Columbus for Russell and Callie's beautiful wedding. And it was just that...gorgeous. We had the best time that we have had in a loooong time. It is just so nice sometimes to get away from daily stress (and added stress....) and just relax with good friends and HAVE FUN! Trey and I had the best time. We have talked every day since the wedding about what a perfect weekend it was.

I have talked about Russell some on this blog, but this weekend really opened my eyes to what a friend he is not only to me but also to so many people all over the country. It was such an honor to be standing next to one of my very best friends in the whole world as he became a husband. It was the neatest experience being able to meet some of his friends from different parts of his life - His high school friends, State friends, Emory friends, and camp friends. Everyone had so much love, respect and admiration for him; I felt even more fortunate to call him my friend. And I was so proud of how our friendship has grown, even through distance, life changes, and life in general. I was a bit spoiled spending so much time with him through all the festivities that now I am missing his conversation so much.

And he married such a precious girl. I mean, she let a girl be a groomswoman! She had to be special. They are so in love, which is so fun for me to see. They are in Paris now honeymooning. Je les aime les deux!

I don't have one single picture of the beautiful bride. And let me tell you, she was gorgeous. I feel in love with everything about the ceremony and reception. Apparently, I was too busy dancing to take pictures at the reception, but here are a few pictures. I hope I can get my hands on some more; I want to remember it forever!

Russell and Trey at the rehearsal. Rockin' the bow ties.

Trey playing the piano before the ceremony as the groomsmen sang.

Scary and fun at the same time.

Me and Russell before the ceremony. Pure joy in this picture.

The other groomswoman, Dana, and me in the limo on the way to the reception.

monday humor.

Love it.




Emily, you won't need your slanket anymore.



Come on, Tupelo.

Winner.

Yaya tagged me.  I suppose this means I am a winner. 

Speaking of winning, our softball team hasn't yet.  We lost last weeks game by 12 RUNS. (happy, all of you softball word critics? I said runs. Not points. Who knew.) After the game the opposing team told us that "we sure do play with a lot of heart". That is the nice way of saying we suck. 

Anyway, suppose to say 7 things about me and then tell 7 others to do the same. I doubt I do that part.  Just saying. 

1) I can not stand it when the car in front of me has on their blinkers and so do I, but they are not in sync.  I usually stop mine and then start it again and try to get them together. 

2) I get sick of food easily. But I also get obsessed with food easily.  For example, I am currently obsessed with fresh cherries. I go through about 2 bags a week. It's all I want.  But I am so sick of sandwiches.  The thought makes me want to vom. Generally speaking, I am sick of lunch food. 

3) On the same topic, sometimes I like coffee and sometimes I don't. I haven't had a full cup of coffee in about a year.  It hurts my stomach. 

4) I love music.  But in the same fashion as my food choices, I can get obsessed with songs. I have listened to the same song on repeat in my car for about a week. (The Avett Brothers, Swept Away) 

5)  I love airports. 

6) I love reading books about New York, Mississippi, the south in general, and southern culture/history.  There is no real basis for the New York topic.  The rest are easy to understand. 

7) I read Twilight, and while I liked it, I thought the author wrote like a 7th grader and have no desire to read it more. 

just because.

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Where did you take your Facebook profile picture?
Seaside, FL with the fam.

What exactly are you wearing right now?
a purple top with jeans and brown and gold wedges. and cute earrings. 

What is your current problem?
i think i have Adult ADD

What makes you happy most?
trey. family. dogs. mexican food. 

What song are you listening to at the moment?
there is complete silence right now.  

Ever sang in front of a large audience?
Does a company Christmas e-card count? Regardless, I should never, under any circumstances, be allowed to sing in front of people again. 

Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddy TV shows?
I love Shrek. 

Do you speak any languages?
English and French. Although don't test me on the French. It's been a while. I can still read it fairly well, though.  

Has anyone you’ve been really close with passed away?
Yes. My biggest fear in life is losing the people I love. I don't want to talk about it anymore. 

What’s something that really annoys you?
There is not enough time for my pet peeves. 

Chapter 1:
===============
1. Middle name: Joy

2. Nicknames: I don't think I have one. As a child I was called (affectionately, I am sure) by my extended family as Brat Child

3. Current location:  Hattiesburg

4. Eye color: blue

Chapter 2:
===============
1. Do you live with your parent(s)? No

2. Do you get along with your parent(s)? my bffs

3. Are your parents married/separated/divorced? happily married.

4. Do you have any Siblings? 2 older sisters and 2 brothers-in-law (one older, one younger)

Chapter 3: Favorites
===============
1. Ice Cream: vanilla. boring, I know. And MSU muscadine ice cream. 

2. Season: Fall and spring.

3. Shampoo/conditioner: Currently Brilliant Brunette. But I prefer Aveda products. 

Chapter 4: Do You..
===============
1. Dance in the shower? not everyday....

2. Do you write on your hand? when i was like 14

3. Call people back? I try. I am a terrible phone person. keep trying me. I will call you eventually. 

4. Believe in love? most def. 

6. Any bad habits? I worry. and I forget about clothes in the washer/dryer. 

Chapter 5: Have You..
===============
1. Broken a bone: nope. never. 

2. Sprained stuff: i don't recall.

3. Had physical therapy: nope. 

4. Gotten stitches: yep. in my tummy and on my head. 

5. Taken painkillers: yes. 

6. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling: I can't imagine not being able to have total control over my breathing. I am getting flustered just thinking about it. 

7. Been stung by a bee: I think so. 

8. Thrown up at the dentist: No.

9. Sworn in front of your parents: Sometimes I try to get my mom to cuss. She won't. 

10. Had detention: yes. I am beginning to think this little quiz was intended for high schoolers...


Chapter 6: Who/What was the last
===============
1. Movie(s): Twilight at home (I know, i know. I had to watch it since I was sucked into the book.) and Harry Potter at the theatre. 

2. Person to text you: Trey

3. Person you called: Trey

4. Person you hugged: Trey. hmmm...I have no other friends apparently. 

5. Person you tackled: I don't tackle. I also don't get this question. 

6. Person you talked to on AIM/iChat: My boss.  We use it at work. 

7. Thing you touched: Keyboard. Duh. I am typing. 

8. Thing you ate: a granny smith apple

9. Thing you drank: diet coke

10. Thing you said: "You are back already?"

Chapter 7: Future
===============
1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Seriously? I don't know where I will be tomorrow. 

2. Where do you hope to live? with Trey. 

3. Do you want to be famous? the paparazzi would get annoying. 

That was not quiet as fun as I had imagined. Happy weekend, all. 

You will want to jot this number down...

Drop 3 dress sizes in 10 minutes. Guaranteed results.  

Let me know how this works out for you. 

(as seen on the side of a Hattiesburg road.)

fun weekend

My mama and Nana came to visit me last weekend! We had so much fun. They got there around 10 on Sat. morning and, in the words of sassy Nana, "we hit the ground running"! We went all around Hattiesburg. We went shopping everywhere from Target to small boutiques, took a break to have lunch and get manicures/pedicures, and then shopped some more! Then we drove around and looked at pretty homes and bought a watermelon from an adorable old lady on the side of the road, because, let's face it, who can turn down old people selling produce on the side of a road? It is Mississippi, after all. Then we went back to the house, played games and ate tomato sandwiches and watermelon on our back deck. It was so fun. And very southern. They left Sunday soon after Trey came home from bachelor party #2.

I talked to Nana Sunday night after their trip home. She said she was "sitting on the porch reminiscing on our good times in Hattiesburg." She called it Girls Weekend Getaway. I love it. I hope I am sassy and up for anything when I am 83.

Thanks, mama! Sophie and I had the best time. Come back anytime.

my major award

(not my award)

I am a winner!!  I just can't believe it. My post about never winning anything proved to be false, for I won!  I can't wait to get my goodies in the mail. Check it out here. 

I pledge to sign up to win everything from now on.  I think this is the start of a winning streak. Every blog prize give-away, I will sign up.  Seriously. All of them. 

On a different note, I met my precious friend's, Sam and Katherine, sweet baby girl this weekend in Starkville.  She is the cutest of all.  Seriously. Check out the thighs! I loved sweet

 Nita.  Thanks, Hardin's, for letting me kiss and squeeze on your new addition.  I loved every minute of it. 

As you can see, it wasn't love at first sight for little Nita.  

Nita, in shock by how much she grew to love me. 

Sweet Hardin fam, with bathing beauty Nita.