Flashback Friday: ‘Tis the Season

Y’all, I love Christmas. My heart beats for it. But I also love Thanksgiving, so I try to reverently observe it and give it the respect that it deserves before moving full-speed into Santaland. This year, however, since we are traveling to Carolina for Thanksgiving week and we won’t be home until that Sunday and I’m going to miss those 2 decorating days, I am starting to decorate for Christmas early. And I’m having so much fun!

I just love decorating for Christmas, and that’s because I have been blessed with the most wonderful Christmas memories a child could ever ask for. Absolutely no one, and I mean no one, decorates for the holiday like my mother. Imagine 14 (you read that right) Christmas trees; a life-size Santa, complete with a sack of toys and a sled; a life-size character called “Mistletoe May,” lights on every tree in the yard; wreaths on every window; holiday music on 24/7 and garland and bows hanging from every doorway, banister and column.

Mom and Dad's living room at Christmas


Santa with his sack and sled



Me with "Mistletoe May"


My mom in full Christmas-cooking mode!


What's so special to me is that, because my mother and father have always made sure that Christmas was nothing short of magical, I look forward to it each year with the eyes of a child.

So today, I’m flashing back to my first Christmas. My father took this picture of me on Christmas morning as soon as I realized that Santa had come. (Click on the picture to enlarge it a little bit.)


I absolutely adore this picture. I am just so elated and filled with joy. The look on my face expresses the same delight that fills my heart at Christmas year after year.

Here’s hoping that you and yours have a very merry – and very blessed – Christmas season … and that you may enjoy it as you did as a child—purely, wholly and happily.

XOXO,

Coming this Spring: The Carrie Diaries!

Candace Bushnell is whipping up more Sex and the City goodies ... her new novel, The Carrie Diaries, will hit stores in April (just before the Sex and the City movie sequel hits theaters in May)!

According to People.com: "Set during Carrie Bradshaw's high school years, the book details the budding fashionista's early relationships and how she began her career as a writer. The Carrie Diaries will also focus on Bradshaw's first love, while the cover art specifically references an incident between the character and her mother."

Here's a sneak peek at the cover, courtesy of People.com! Let the countdown to Spring begin. :)

Flashback Friday: Viva Italia!

Today, a friend and colleague of mine is leaving for a two-week sojourn in my favorite place – Italy. I am so excited for her, but still (a little tiny bit) green with envy! This time last year, Mr. Gamecock and I were getting ready to spend 10 days there ourselves. I had been several times, but it was Mr. Gamecock’s maiden voyage!

Here are a few photos from last year's trip to Italy:

On the terrace of our hotel in Rome



My fifth time inside the Coliseum



Touring Pompeii



Shopping in Roma



One of my most favorite places on Earth -- Tuscany



In the walled town of San Gimignano (which is right next door to Volterra. Ring a bell, Twilighters?)



Since Europe is on my mind today, I decided it would be fun to flash back to one of my first trips to Europe. The summer before my senior year of high school, I went with a group of friends (and a chaperone, of course) to England, Italy, France and Spain. This was not my first trip to Europe, but it was certainly one of my favorites! My friends and I visited Queen Victoria’s palace in Brighton, toured the Vatican and Coliseum in Rome, walked along the Aquaducts in Avignon, climbed the highest bell tower in Florence, sunned ourselves on the beaches of Nice, and saw Christopher Columbus’s baptismal font in Barcelona.

Here is a group of us on the beach in Nice.



With one of my best buds, Ryan, looking out over Barcelona's coast!



Lord knows I don’t deserve all the blessings I’ve been given. But having parents with the desire and the ability to provide me with the opportunity to spread my wings and travel to Europe without them is one of the blessings for which I’m most grateful. That being said, I favor my trips to Europe with my parents. I love spending time with them more than I can describe. But the chance to travel abroad without them – and at a young age – gave me the experience of a lifetime, and helped make me who I am today.

Happy Weekend!

Can't wait to see this movie!

I've read her bio, purchased her timeless handbags and I can't wait to see the lovely Audrey Tautou play her on the big screen: the lovely and unmatched Coco Chanel. Sadly, I'll have to wait another week until Coco Before Chanel comes to my city ... sigh. Doesn't this trailer just sing "beauty"?

I'm Over the Top!

My precious friend Jess has given me the Over the Top Award! Thanks Jess! :)



So, I have to answer the following questions in one word. Here goes!!

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? blonde
3. Your mother? beautiful
4. Your father? generous
5. Your favorite food? italian
6. Your dream last night? blank
7. Your favorite drink? seltzer
8. Your dream/goal? published
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby? writing
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? carolina
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren’t? judgmental
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. Wish list item? camera
17. Where did you grow up? georgia
18. Last thing you did? presentation
19. What are you wearing? skirt
20. Your TV? HD
21. Your pets? rescued
22. Friends? many
23. Your life? blessed
24. Your mood? anxious
25. Missing someone? sister
26. Vehicle? efficient
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? sephora (ditto j!!)
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? sunday
32. Your best friend? lots
33. One place that I could go over and over? beach
34. One person who emails me regularly? anne
35. Favorite place to eat? charleston

I tag ... whoever wants to play!!

NEW: New Moon Trailer!

Chills. Actual chills.

HAPPY THURSDAY, FELLOW TWILIGHTERS! ♥

You can't ban Miss Bella!

I have blogged about my sweet friend Ryan and her fur-baby Sullivan (who is now her fur-angel) here. If you are an animal lover, you must follow Ryan’s blog. We graduated from the University of South Carolina together, so I have the pleasure of knowing her personally, but you will see that this girl is the most passionate, inspiring animal advocate. Ryan and I both have rescued pit bulls ...today, she blogged about the very important issue of breed-specific legislation, which many municipalities are attempting to pass to ban certain breeds of dogs.

My rescued pit-bull Bella with my rescued lab Mason. Who would want to ban this sweet lady?

I think it is completely short-sighted, ignorant and unfair to ban a breed of dog because of their reputation. To me, it’s the equivalent of racism. Racists respond with hate and fear toward those they do not know or understand. Racists don’t care to appreciate others’ individuality, when everyone—regardless of race, religion, country of origin, etc. – deserves to be loved … despite what history may say about their "breed."

I don’t think that banning any breed of dog is the answer, and needless to say, Ryan doesn’t either. Click here to check out the great information and resources she has gathered to fight breed-specific legislation in her hometown.