Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Miss USA 2015

Miss USA drama...

As of this morning, the Miss USA site still shows that NBC will be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th at 7pm Central, live from the Baton Rouge River Center.



Unfortunately, that is not going to happen!  I'm not going to get into a political debate here, but NBC and Univision have both decided not to air the pageant, due to statements made by Presidential candidate and Miss USA owner, Donald Trump.

The hosts Thomas Roberts and Cheryl Burke have both backed out.

Both Univision pageant hosts, Cristian de la Fuente and Roselyn Sanchez have also backed out.

Columbia reggaeton performer J. Balvin has also backed out.

But...the show will go on without all of them.  After all, it is about the contestants!  I'm hoping it will be live streamed or that another network will pick it up.  I am just beginning to put together a list of my favorites and have been following some of the ladies since they were crowned at their state pageants.  Stay tuned y'all!

Friday, June 26, 2015

Umbrella Etiquette

The only thing that is keeping me from melting here in Middle Georgia is that it pretty much rains everyday.  I have a lot of cute umbrellas and of course I like to match them to my outfits.  The 'Checking In' print is one of my all time favorites and it looks cute with hot pink, turquoise, and lime green.


  Tonight I'm carrying it and wearing a 'Shorely Blue' outfit by Lilly Pulitzer.

Mama always said to never leave home without an umbrella.  Just make sure you practice proper umbrella etiquette:
  • Use an umbrella that is in proportion to your size.  Also, keep in mind that golf umbrellas belong on the golf course, not on the sidewalk.
  • Look around before you open your umbrella. 
  • Be prepared to maneuver your umbrella on a crowded sidewalk or when you encounter another person.
  • Close your umbrella before entering a building if possible or immediately after you are inside.  Always close your umbrella before entering cars/trains/buses.
  • Offer to share your umbrella with someone who left their umbrella at home.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Miss Florida 2015

While watching the Miss Georgia pageant this past weekend, I was also following the Miss Florida pageant via social media.  Congratulations to Mary Catherine Fechtel who won the title and will compete for the crown of Miss America in Atlantic City this September.  Miss Fechtel was also Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen in 2010.  Y'all might remember her sister Elizabeth Fechtel, former Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012, who was crowned Miss Florida 2014, but had to turn over the crown one week later to Victoria Cowen, due to an "error in the tabulation process."

The Fechtel ladies are talented and beautiful and I look forward to watching Mary Catherine compete for the Miss America crown.


Congratulations also to Betty Cantrell, of Warner Robins, Georgia who won the title of Miss Georgia 2015.

Coming up this Saturday evening, is the Miss South Carolina 2015 pageant.  Yay, pageant season continues!

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Miss Georgia Pageant

It's pageant season and I couldn't be happier.  I love watching the ladies compete and picking my favorites.  The 71st Miss Georgia pageant is this Saturday evening in Columbus.  I'm not going to be able to attend but hope to watch the webcast.  I have been following some of my favorites on social media.  All of the Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen contestants are beautiful and talented and here are just a few that I'll be cheering for:
Brooke Doss, Miss Troup County
Talent, Ballet en Pointe


Rosa Campos, Miss Conyers
Talent, Musical Theatre Vocal

Adeline Kenerly, Miss Capital City
Talent, Baton Twirling

*Betty Cantrell, Miss Warner Robins
Talent, Operatic Vocal


This young lady is my favorite Outstanding Teen contestant.  I saw her win the Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen title and her talent was fabulous.  She is adorable!  Good luck to Miss Hollis!
Kelsey Hollis, Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen
Talent, Vocal

*Congratulations to Betty Cantrell, Miss Georgia 2015.  Good luck at Miss America in September!

Friday, June 5, 2015

The Champagne of the South

It's National Iced Tea Month and nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a glass of iced tea.  Known as the The Champagne of the South, The Table Wine of the South, and The Beverage of Hospitality, enjoying a glass of iced tea is one of the most relaxing things that you can do.  It slows you down from your hectic pace and gives you a chance to take a deep breath and relax.

Please remember that even in the South, iced tea is only served at informal meals and at Afternoon Tea, NOT at a formal meal.  Note:  There is no iced tea goblet in a formal dinner setting.

Properly served, iced tea is served in a tall glass with a doily, a saucer (bread plate), and an iced teaspoon.  Many savvy Southern brides include iced teaspoons and crystal iced tea goblets on their Bridal Registry.

If the spoon is used to stir your tea after adding sugar, the teaspoon is placed on an iced teaspoon rest, as shown below...

If there is no spoon rest provided, the spoon should remain in the glass at all times.  Keep the long iced teaspoon in your glass after you stir with the handle toward the far side by the index finger and with the remaining 3 fingers and thumb of the hand, hold the glass while you drink.  It is quite easy to drink your tea and hold the teaspoon in the glass, and if you practice it, you will be able to handle it with grace!  Remember that once used, a utensil is never placed back on the table.

Sugar and lemon are both offered with iced tea.  Add sugar first, otherwise the citric acid of the lemon prevents the sugar from dissolving.  You may place the lemon slice/wedge directly into the poured glass of tea, but it is not necessary to press the lemon.

What to do with a sweetener packet?  Use the sweetener packet and tuck the empty packet discreetly under the edge of your saucer/dinner plate.

In the South, your iced tea goblet may be adorned with a pretty doily bonnet...I've had my bonnets for many years and they are great to use outdoors!


Remember your Teas and Q's:
~Swallow your food before you sip your tea.
~Don't slurp your tea...sip!
~Don't place your iced teaspoon directly onto the table after you have used it, place it onto the iced teaspoon rest, or leave it in the glass.
~It's "iced tea" not ice tea.
~Look into the glass of tea while you are sippin', not over it.
~Stir the tea liquid gently with the iced teaspoon.

Monday, June 1, 2015

The French Market

The other day I drove up to Locust Grove, Georgia to shop at the outlet mall.  The outlet mall isn't large like the ones I've been to in Florida, but I still got to get some cute loot at Polo Ralph Lauren and J Crew.

 If you are traveling on I-75 through Georgia this summer, you must stop off in Locust Grove...for the outlet mall and The French Market.  I have seen the billboards on I-75 and heard about The French Market and Tavern from new friends.  

The French Market.  It is fabulous!

I spoke with owner Lauren Weaver a bit about her business.  She completely renovated the building which was a former hardware store and it is stocked full of French Country goodies y'all!  She does a lot of catering and hosting on-site events...weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate events, and business meetings.  In addition to the cafe bar, there are two dining areas adjacent to the main store.

This is the entrance to the cafe bar...I simply have to start playing dress up with my mannequin.

I love a place where I can shop and eat and this cafe is fabulous!


Take a peek inside the store...







I cannot wait to go back to this store!

The French Market
3840 Highway 42
Locust Grove, Georgia 30248
770.914.9312
Facebook