I wish I were this cute

((image via WeHeartIt))

When I'm grumpy and such.

I dont know what my issue is this morning, but I'm no fun.

SERENITY NOW!

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I'll post round 2 of my King Cake giveaway tonight!

Oh Thank Goodness...

4 days until my quick but much needed girls trip with SKing to New Orleans.

So many things to look forward to...but today I'm all jazzed up for our beautiful hotel on Canal Street (above)!

((image via davidepoe))

24 in 7

To be more specific,

24 things in the last 7 days

With the idea of my last post still fresh in my head and realizing that I've essentially been away from blogging for a week, here's a smidge of what life has been like for me.

In the last week, I....

1. Ran into my beloved Pat the Lush not once but twice and reminisced about all the roadtrips we took to see Sons of William & Marc Broussard, joked that The Sheriff liked me better, and wondered what "Easy B" the merch guy was up to
2. Had my Aunt reference The Boy formally known as Gentleman Caller by code name in conversation
3. Got a little crush... possibly?
4. Ate the wonder and holiness that is Panera Bread. Twice.
5. Won the Roadside Photography Giveaway from Off Switch whilllle I was on a road trip [Oh, Irony - How I adore you!]
6. Went old school and downloaded DC Talk's "Jesus Freak"
7. Missed reading all your blogs
8. Went for a 3 Hour Glucose Test that took 4 and a half hours
9. Witnessed one of the most beautifully sincere weddings I've ever been to.
10. Fell in love with all the green hills of Birmingham
11. Laughed when people mistook me for "being with the band."
12. Read Veil of Roses in one sitting
13. Was diagnosed as Diabetic
14. Have been in some sort of twisted Marc Broussard/Matisyahu/OAR music mood
15. Decided that it's best to be barefoot
16. Had 4 uhhhh-mazing guest posters here at Dixie Lust
17. Wore my "Breakfast" Tee from Dirty Coast
18. Shared my final "last meal" with LyLa
19. Was shocked with weekend gossip
20. Wished I could see my dad's side of the family more often - especially little Nathan & Aslan
21. Enjoyed an entire hotel bed to myself while watching The Nanny & Frasier
22. Dreamt of traveling for a living
23. Launched my very own Blog Design site
24. Been truly happy and excited about whats to come

I know. I know.

Some of those are teasers,

But no worries my lovelies, posts to come.

I'm Bacccck!

Sadly my guest post for today fell through, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm back from a super wonderful & busy weekend tomorrow in Birmingham.

I'll be working on finishing up my blog design website this afternoon. So expect the link to that as soon as it's ready to go!

As far as tomorrow goes, I have my favorite person - LyLa! - coming to guest post while I have a doctor's appointment and some lab tests.

In short, there's a ton of stuff coming your way, just stay tuned!

[Just a quick photo from my trip!]

To Dye For

On Saturday night, I let you guys in on the fact that I had an exciting upcoming week planned out. A few of you begged to know what was heading my way so.... hurrr it is. Sunday, I spent a laid-back day with my mum at the craft store and lunch at our almost-worn-out-its-welcome beloved Piccadilly. As for the beginning of the week, I was steadfastly working on launching my not-so-secret blog design service (should be up and running oh-so very soon!) I was nearly done with the design site when I decided to scrap the vibrant industrial layout and go with something a little bit more...me? The complete overhaul has left me a little "computered-out." Which is quite convenient because...I've got a little R&R scheduled into my week - and some fabulous guest bloggers in store for y'all!

Starting tomorrow and running all the way through Monday, I've got some of my favorite people stopping by to entertain y'all. I absolutely can't wait to see everything they have in store for Dixie Lust. As for me, I'll be heading to Birmingham, AL for the weekend to attend my cousin Katie's wedding. (cue spazzy squeals of excitement). I'm thrilled at the thought of spending the entire weekend with my fabulous and might I add hilarious family - my boss is even coming!

If you're charting out my 9 days of enthralling plans (which I know you are), you're realizing that I've covered Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday through Monday... and you're wondering what I've got going on tonight. Well my lovelies, I'm off to an evening of beauty at the Salon de LyLa... which is pretty much LyLa's kitchen. Before LyLa was the reason I don't dread coming to work, she was a hair stylist. She's been doing my hair ever since her first few months at Aveda in 2006. Even when she was still in classes, I trusted her to do just about anything. She knows me well. She knows that I get a little lazy when it comes to actually fixing my hair and she also knows the traumatic things that other stylists have inflicted upon me (i.e. the mushroom haircut in 7th grade). Simply put, I don't even tell her what to do. I just trust her instinct. Going in with this attitude, I've come out with some of the most amazing haircuts - and colors! We love to experiment - and we do it quite often. So I've decided that every time I get my hair did, I'll feature one of my past cuts/colors.

With out further a-hair-do.... (yeah I went there)

[Yes. I am well-aware that its "upside down." I like it this way.]

This one comes from late 2006ish. LyLa wasn't in a salon just yet, so we got together at her house for my "appointment." The idea was to have super blonde sections with darker ones underneath. Well as I bent over her tub for her to wash out the color, the nervous giggles from LyLa let me know that we were going in a slightly different direction. LyLa worked a little extra magic and we ended up with this... it was a trillion different colors and I absolutely lovvvved it! This also counts as our first attempt at the full-on bang.

So I've gotta ask, what color do you predict we dye my hair tonight??

Little Thing 25

Knowing that I have an incredibly amazing 9 days ahead of me...

Thats right... 9 whole days.

((image via WeHeartIt))

Where You Stand

Life is full of exhilarating firsts - first steps, first days of school, first kisses, first day on your own, and of course... the almighty first Etsy.com purchase. Yes my dear lovlies, my life as I know it has changed.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no stranger to Etsy. It’s been one of those “lusting-from-afar” relationships – a few quick glances, bookmarking a few favorite shops, adding a few items to my Kaboodle Wish List– you know… non-committal happenings.

Last week, I spent a little bit of my lunch hour cleaning out my favorite links, which had seemingly become absolute bedlam (I get a teensie bit frantic and dramatic when I can’t find what I’m looking for..."OMD Where is it?! I know I sav-whaaaat did I save it under? Wherrre is iiiit?!") and I came across an Etsy link for a store called the Grass Is Greener.

[The next few sentences will be like a rousing game of “Guess How Small Louisiana Is” – if you’re from a small town, you know this game. It’s nothing to connect two seemingly unrelated people in less than 2 or 3 degrees.]

Grass is Greener is run by Haley Williams from Lafayette, LA. Haley, turns out, is a super close friend of my good high school friend Mizz Wormser, who now lives in New York. Yes. This is the part of the “How Small is Louisiana” Game where we sing “It’s a Small World.”

I poured myself over Haley’s shop and forgot all about the chaotic mess of links. I’m not exaggerating when I say I wanted to buy everything in the store. She’s got this charming mix of earrings, rings, sachets, and cards. OH the cards! They’re some of the most stunning handmade cards I have ever seen –hand drawn flowers and water colored birds (oh my) - and she can customize them too! But here’s the best part – and the bit that sealed the deal on my first etsy purchase – Grass is Greener is completely eco-friendly. From the materials used in her creations, to the packaging, to her listings with eco-tips, this girl keeps the environment in mind.

Want to know what I got? Want to see the absolutely adorable (and recyclable) packaging? Want to shop at Grass is Greener? Scroll down, lovelies.

You guys are lucky that you're getting shots of the packaging - I wanted to rip it open right away


How cute are the signature Grass is Greener flowers?

Ps. Haley, just wanted to let you know I used half of the packaging to wrap a gift and the other half has been recycled!


Haley even custom makes her own envelopes!
I fell in love with the gorgeous stiching detail.


She means that.
Trying to rip the package open with your teeth doesn't quite work.

Lots of goodies...

The whole shebang

Goodies on display...

Yep. She handwrites a note on to each customer...

(Oooh... hint hint on what's going down on Monday if I get 25 Followers!)

On pretty embossed stationary, nonetheless.

Eco-friendly with southern manners?? That's Haley.

Thank You note with the signature flower on recycled cardboard

The good stuff... all tied up with some pretty twine

My three finds!

The wooden button came packaged on a bookmark!

Notice the wood grain on the gold band??

TAH-DAH!

I love how unique this is - and Etsy does too.

It was featured on Etsy's Rustic Wedding Post.

Wire Earrings!

The leaf earrings were a gift for Ruby Locks to go with the haircut/color she's getting today,

and the signature petal earrings are all for me. I've been wearing them since I got them - going on 4 days now... They're super light and I forget that I'm wearing them - until the lady at the grocery store stops me to ask where I got my "dainty drop earrings."

There's a pretty little link to Grass is Greener on my sidebar, if you haven't already clicked on one of the many links to it above. =)

Remember lovlies,

the Grass is Greener where you stand.

(And there's certianly no harm in looking pretty while you're standing there)

The Great Southern Adventure...

Last Updated: September 8, 2009

Adventures Experienced: 003

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Love something/some place and don't see it on my list??

Leave your suggestions in the comments or e-mail me and I'll

add it to my list. The week I complete your suggestion, I'll feature your

blog on the sidebar.

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Abbeville

• Amores Pizzaroma - ((via LyLa))

Baton Rouge

• Harrington's Cafe - Stuffed Shrimp, Crawfish Pie Specialty ((via Jess))
• Atcha Bakery & Cafe - Falafel ((via Jess))
• Chelsea's Cafe - Grilled Cheese, Tomato Basil Soup ((via Jess))

Big Cane

• Have GC show me what all the fuss is about

Houma

• See Sons of William play a hometown show

Lebeau

• Visit Stelly's Restaurant, see the 135 yr old snapper turtle, and have a burger with fries

New Iberia

• Early Morning Breakast with a good friend at Victor's Cafeteria
• Book's Along the Teche - Find a book by a local author and actually finish reading it
• Spend the morning at Jungle Gardens - WALK not drive & photograph my findings

New Orleans

• Neophobia - Find art/accessories/small furniture (within my price range - hah!)

White Castle

• Nottoway Plantation - Tour the plantation & dine at the Mansion Restaurant ((via Haley))
  

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Fort Worth

• Billy Bob's Texas - "The World's Largest Honky Tonk" ((Via Blissfully Enamored))
• Stockyards Cattle Drive on East Exchange Ave. - ((via Blissfully Enamored))

Houston

• The Chocolate Bar

San Antonio

• The Menger Hotel - wander the halls in search of ghosts and such ((via Korie))

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Pascagoula

• Bozo's Grocery - Shrimp PoBoy ((via Evie))

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Coconut Beach

• Spend the morning at Butterfly World

Delray Beach

• Dinner at DaDa's

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Savannah

• The Lady & Son's
• Vinnie Van Go-Go's - ((via Steph))
  

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Now would be the time to comment...

So dear Internet, this is the part where I ask for your help.

And below is where you graciously offer it up...and lots of it.

I've begun to compile a Southern Wish List of sorts - small towns, beautiful cottage lined streets, mom and pop eateries, wacky tourist attractions, historic bed and breakfasts, etc etc etc - all places and things that I'm dying to experience. It'll be an ongoing list of sorts and we'll see how much I can get through before complete and utter exhaustion sets in.

So tell me...what do YOU think I need to experience? Where should I go? What should I eat? What are your favorite places? And they don't havvve to be in just Louisiana. What about Texas? Alabama? Arkansas? Mississippi? Florida? Georgia?

A Bad Case of the Meat Sweats...

Looking forward to the Smoked Meat Festival in Ville Platte!

If y'all weren't already aware, I absolutley love meat - beef, pork, chicken, wild game. Bring it on... I love it all. So this weekend, I'm determined to make a pilgramage to my mecca.

From CajunFun:

Le Festivale de la Viande BoucaneeVille Platte.

Fri 6/26/2009 - Sat 6/27/2009

(Smoked Meat Festival)

June is festival time is South Louisiana, and when you hear the music and smell delicious food coming from clouds of smoke, then it's Le Festivale de la Viande Boucanee, better known as the SMOKED MEAT FESTIVAL. This two day event, promoted by Chapter 632 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, is held on the last full weekend of June each year in the "Smoked Meat Capital of the World", Ville Platte, Louisiana. Music begins Friday night and continues until the festival closes.Renowned entertainers have included The Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, T.G. Sheppard, Janie Fricke, Percy Sledge, Doug Stone, Billy Joe Royal, John Conlee, T. Graham Brown, Mel McDaniel, Joe Stampley, B.J. Thomas, Wayne Toups, Jo El Sonnier and rock n' roll favorite, Na Na Sha. Festival highlights include the World Championship Smoked Meat Cookoff for amateurs and professionals. The backyard cooks and the professionals are equal to the task of preparing meats in varied and imaginative ways, each using their own special seasonings and methods of smoking the meat. The cook off is open to any kind of dish using smoked meat, such as sausage, tasso, pounce bouree', deer, pig, rabbit, even fish. Festival guests enjoy entree samples sold at individual booths and hear a little bit of bragging from last year's champions. Enjoy the highly competitive "best decorated booth" race, arts and crafts booths, beauty pageants, and local artisans. Saturday's opening ceremonies honor all veterans who have served our country and remember our fallen comrades from the Vietnam War. Bagpipes, color quard salutes, F-15 jet fly overs, and patriotic quest speakers will touch your heart in this emotional ceremony. It will give your Fouth of July celebrations new meaning! All proceeds from the festival are put back into the community and parish through funding of charitable, civic, and community projects, and providing financial assistance to needy individuals and families. Admission: Adults $7, children under 12: $1. ID's required, no ice chests or pets, lawn chairs welcomed. Civic Center Grounds

(Image via WeHeartit)

Vacation State of Mind

So, I've officially re-entered the real world - turned on my mobile, checked my e-mail, back at work, etc. But I can't help but feeling that gooey-relaxed-no worries vacation state of mind. I've yet to unpack from my 2 day weekend getaway at Cajun Palms and quite frankly don't plan on doing it any time soon. I plan on reveling in my post-vacation joy as long as possible, and nothing is going to drag me out of it... not even a silly to-do list. I had such a blast this weekend and it was sooo nice to spend some quality time with the family. If you guys haven't already heard about this place, you must check it out. I'll post soon(ish) with photos and a play by play.

(Image via WeHeartIt)

Beside Myself...

1 day until "relaxation to the max-ation"

(Image via WeHeartIt)

Countdown...

T minus 2 days until my highly anticipated Stay-cation Weekend. I absolutely can't wait to layout and relax and I'm even more excited to share all the details with you guys come Monday.

Coming Soon...

The past few weeks at work have got me feeling like I've come down with a nasty case of senioritis... But as "grown-ups"( I use that term very loosely) we know that this is the school that never lets out. The weekends are flying by, the weeks are dragging on, and all I want to do is experience summmmer. I keep day dreaming about all the magical summery things I'd be doing if I didn't have an 8-5.

So today LyLa came up with the genius idea of compiling a list of things we could we do to get the most out of the season. It's a list of 25 or so things that can be done on a weekday afternoon (no more wishing & waiting for the weekend!). And all of the ideas are simple and practical enough to actually do - not just in theory.

Hopefully we'll have the list ready by tomorrow!

Cant wait to share it with y'all.