Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy Birthday to me...

Well, well! Look who remembered it was my birthday? (We'll it's technically two weeks away, but why not start the celebration early?) My dear friend Ann Taylor! I just received a $15 gift certificate in the mail.

I'll be hitting up our local Ann Taylor and LOFT this afternoon! What to buy??? How about this poppy number? I have belt similar to the one shown, so as far as accessories are concernced, I'm set!
Over at LOFT...this blouse is cute, but need more COLOR in my life!These earrings, also at LOFT are really cute. I could rock these with my black two piece on the beach!
There's only one catch with this little birthday present...I must use it in store, which means I will be limited as far as sizes and color go. Thanks Ann! Happy shopping!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

T.M.I.

In the last two weeks, one certain person {yes, the same fashion disaster I've mentioned before} has been sharing too much around the office. And I'm not referring to too much information about a taboo subject. No bathroom issues or sexcapades, atleast none that I know of...thank goodness for that!

Instead, this CP is sharing too much random information. It has nothing to do with anything, yet she is tying this useless information to much larger happenings. There is no link. Or at least, I don't see it.

Exhibit A - An email to the entire staff at our PR firm and CP's response:

To: Staff
From: Coworker
Subject: Event Tonight

I hope to see everyone at our event -- it starts at 5. A number of our clients have told us they plan to be there, and I think the speaker will be great. It should be a lot of fun.

To: Staff
From: Certain Person
Subject: You Betcha RE: Event Tonight

I absolutely plan to be there and even brought in a cooler shirt today to change into (rather than this suit I had to wear to give my speech in today). I won’t be able to stay a long period of time, (doing the mother and mother-in-law surgery recovery duty) but I’ll be there!


Does bringing a shirt to change into demonstrate her commitment to being at the event? Why does she need to justify that to us? Why couldn't she just change the shirt and not tell anyone? Just show up. Furthermore, why tell us that the only reason she wore the suit is because she gave a speech today? What speech? And why throw in the information about the recovery duty? To make us feel guilty? I didn't know the mother and mother-in-law had surgery! Oh, and one last thing, why add the "You Betcha" in the Subject line?

Exhibit B - Another staff email from a different co-worker and CP's response:

To: Staff
From: Coworker
Subject: Client on TV

Fox News plans a report on Client X tonight between 7 and 8 during the Sheppard Smith Report. Plan your evening accordingly. They were in town shooting for two days last week.

To: Staff
From: Certain Person
Subject: RE: Client on TV

Great news and congrats! “Plan my evening accordingly”....hahahah. Tonight’s agenda is being my dad’s “date” at Berry Funeral Home 6-8 p.m. (close family friend died, hence my black jacket) but I’m sure someone will capture footage along the way for us to see...just let me know.


Where to begin??? Has CP never heard of Tivo? What about DVR? At least she did get my coworkers joke about planning your evening accordingly. That was sarcasm and with the three "ha"s and the extra "h" she is letting us know that she got the joke. There is nothing funny about the funeral, but she is making light of the situation by referring to it as a "date". And why tell us the name of the funeral home and exact times of the visitation? What really gets me is the parethensis and "hence the black jacket" comment? If it wasn't a close friend, would the jacket be red? Does she not wear black jackets any other time? Only when a close friend passes?

I can't handle it CP! Like nails on a chalkboard, these are the days of my life.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Right Hand Ring - Right On!

I just saw this over at Kate Spade and just had to share! Isn't it stunning?!? Love the color, the pattern, and most of all the size. The bigger the better!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Ahhhhhhh...Kiawah

What a wonderful Memorial Day weekend we had on Kiawah Island. It was our miniature schauzer's first trip to the beach. She loved it! By the third day, she was pulling us down the dock to the beach. Sandspurs be damned!

My favorite part of the trip was our lovely dinner in the Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course Clubhouse. I was warned the view would take my breathe away and it did. The Ryder Cup Bar was fabulous too.
It was here where we sipped yummy cocktails, from a summery greyhound {vodka & grapefruit juice} to a Firefly mojito, and took in the scenery. The Atlantic never looked so good!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

They're here!

Remember those amazing needlepoint flipflips from Tucker Blair?They are officially on sale at TuckerBlair.com! Happy shopping!

3 years and counting...

Today is a special day in the SDP househould. It was exactly 1,095 days ago that we said "I do" on that sunny Saturday in Jacksonville, FL. {my hometown}

I wish we could do it all over again! The ceremony, the reception...here's a photograph my father took of the reception locale the day of the wedding, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

Oh, to be a bride again...the role of wife isn't so bad either! This year is leather...I wonder what Mr. SDP will come up with!

Crazy in Cannes

File this under "What was she thinking???"Seriously? And you won't believe the shot from the back. Thanks to the GoFugYourself staff for this one!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Spotted: Sweet Potato Queens on American Idol

One more reason I love Kris Allen. During his hometown visit on American Idol, there were Sweet Potato Queens spotted in the parade! Allen is from Conway, Arkansas.

AI producers gave them all of three seconds on the show, but there they were! And this SDP knew it instantly! I would recognize those red wigs and sequined dresses anywhere.


If you haven't read Jill Conner Browne's The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love, you should! I think I'm going to grab the fictional novel for our Memorial Day on Kiawah Island.
On a more regular basis, Miss Browne and her witty self can be found here.




Highballs and Hydrangeas!

It has a nice ring, doesn't it? I sure hope so, because it's the theme (drum roll please!) to my 30th birthday party. Mr. SDP, my sister and best friend CRH have sprung into action and the planning is well underway.
The guest list is done and the invitations are set to go out tomorrow. Just within the acceptable 4-week window. {Thank you very much Amy Vanderbilt!} From what I hear, they're adorable! It will be a garden party. I'm picturing white linens...blue hydrangeas...seersucker... Can't you already hear the clinking of highball glasses? As for what concoction we'll be enjoying from them, that is still in the works. Any suggestions for a summer cocktail?
The specifications of a highball are clearly defined over at CocktailNerd.com
More to come and plans for Highballs and Hydrangeas are defined...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Party Themes...Is it already doomed?

I'm less than one month away from a milestone birthday. I am not at all upset about turning the big 3-0. And when a tinge of uneasiness creeps in, I find comfort in the words of Robert Frost:

"Time and tide wait for no man,
but time always stands still for a woman of thirty."

I love a good party, and I'm not averse to themed parties, but when it's your 30th you want to make sure it's a good one. My sister and Mr. SDP are in cahoots (hate that word, but it fits) but they are open to my suggestions.

Mad Plaid is in 1st place right now...

Making the most of it!

One of my monthly reads is InStyle. I find their online presence leaves much to be desired, but the magazine, itself, I like. Since I can't hyperlink you to the magazine as it sits on my coffee table at home, this will have to do. I'm a big believer in making the most of what you've got and thoroughly enjoyed InStyle's top ten list on the subject. {Mrs. O provides the context.} Some highlights are:

#6 Shop your closet

That means mix and match pieces to create new looks.


#2 Choose signature pieces

I love this one. Each season I try and find a few things that reappear week after week, whether it be a big ring, sleek belt, sophisticated scarf. There are some good ones still in my accessories drawer that haven't been given the "signature" designation yet...like the Burberry silk scarf that Mr. SDP gave me for our first Christmas together.


And #1 Play up your assets!

This is a tough one for me...there are so many looks that I just adore that I simply cannot pull off. No complaints; still trying to make the most of what I've got...it's just that sometimes I think I've got too much! Ha!

Enjoy making the most of your look!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Lilly Giveaway

Over at Lauren Nicole Gifts, a fabulous Mother's Day gift set from Lilly Pulitzer is being given away!

The new Lilly scents are so wonderful. I always stop and test one out when at my local Lilly boutique. What a great bridesmaids gift too.

Happy entering!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Crisp White Shirt

There are few things that I love more than a crisp white shirt. Okay, maybe there are a lot of things I love more...Spanish moss, champagne cocktails, Mr. SDP...uh oh, will he be offended that he's listed third??? Clarification: these things are just examples and are not in any particular order!

I digress. Back to the shirt...being "crisp" is only one requirement. The other is "collar up." Michelle Obama did both very well on Saturday night, don't you think?
Read more at Mrs. O.Add Image

"Where did you get that???"

I never like answering that question...especially when it is asked about a particular piece that I'd prefer not everyone and their brother (okay in this case it would be sister) wear! You know?

Take for instance this necklace:
It is similar to one I have added to my jewelry box recently. I've only worn said necklace a few times, and usually it garners a compliment or four. ;) Then, one of the compliment-ers asks "Where did you get that???" Is it bad that the compliment-eee doesn't want to respond???

Friday, May 1, 2009

So grab your flippy floppies...

Check out these needlepoint flip flops from Tucker Blair:

I say "coming soon" is not soon enough. This is a Summer Must-Have!

Tramp Stamp Barbie

Really??? A tatted up Barbie doll??? What is the world coming to Mattel??? I have such fond memories of playing with Barbie as a little girl. My sister, her best friend Erin, and I would line all of our barbies in a perfect row; we would then take turn choosing our dolls. Once we had our personal collections, we would have them act out these "real-life" scenarios...

My barbie would always work at an advertising agency. My sister's Ken doll would undoubtedly be an architect. Ken would come over after work and bring take-out Chinese food for them to eat while sitting on pillows on the floor. (I don't think I had even tried Chinese food when I was 5 years old, but it seemed like such a grown-up thing to do!!!) Oh and inevitably, someone's barbie would be named "Samantha". The fun would last for hours on end.

I guess you could say TV shows like Moonlighting and Who's The Boss? influenced us more than my mom knew.