American Idol is Back!

Tonight is the Season 12 premiere of American Idol.  I've watched this show every season since the beginning and can't stop now.  Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are returning and this year we have Keith Urban, Diva Mariah Carey--with her bodyguards to save her from Nicki Minaj.  Drama. Drama. Drama!

While I do enjoy watching the auditions, I'm not a fan of the television coverage of those who are horrible singers or those who act crazy when rejected by the judges.  I would much rather the talented individuals get the coverage they deserve.  Bring on the talented singers.

Gracie Beth Will Help You Find It!

Shop.  Shop. Shop.  I love to shop and while I do agree that the thrill of the hunt is the best part of shopping, sometimes I just don't know where to look!

Well now there's someone on Facebook who will hunt down those hard-to-find items and bargains for you.  Gracie Beth writes the blog Preppy Southern Princess and is an Engineer by day and a shopaholic by night. Gracie Beth has started her own page "Let Gracie Beth help you find it!"

The other day on Twitter I was reading Gracie Beth's tweets and she mentioned she could find any clothing item.  Well I immediately tweeted her the description of a Lilly Pulitzer skirt I have been searching for...and boom!  She found it.  I was entering the wrong words on my searches...thought the pattern was 'Midnight toile,' instead it is 'Late night toile.'  I got my cute Lilly "Late Night Toile" skirt 3 days later.  

Up next on the "hunt" are these adorable Burberry pants worn by the beautiful Anne Lake.  I love her whole outfit, but the pants are definitely on my list. {I need a size 8 or 10}

{oops...property of Anne Lake}

I desperately need these 'Vara' Ferragamos in ivory--size 7 1/2 medium...been searching for this color forever!

I must have this Ferragamo pocketbook in ivory.  I simply must!

So if you are looking an item and have exhausted all your normal sites, stop by FB and "like" Gracie Beth's page.  Good luck on your search!

Who Will Win the Coveted Title of Miss America?

The 2013 Miss America Pageant will air this Saturday evening at 9:00 p.m. {ET} on ABC.  Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012, will relinquish the title to one of the 53 contestants competing to win the coveted crown.

Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012

Before you watch the pageant, you must see the special edition of "20/20," Pageant Confidential:  The Road to Miss America.  It airs right before the pageant on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. {ET} on ABC.  

The program will take a look at what it takes to become Miss America and will be anchored by Good Morning America anchor and former Miss America Judge Lara Spencer.  For 6 months, ABC's cameras captured candid moments of the journeys of several of the young women determined to don the coveted crown--as they are transformed from state beauty queens to the polished Miss America contenders seen on stage.

YOU have the opportunity to vote for a finalist at the Miss America competition.  On the Miss America site, there are videos for all of the 53 contestants.  I have chosen some favorites and placed my vote for my #1 favorite.  The voting will close Thursday, January 10th at 11:59 p.m. {PST}.

Here are my top five favorites going into the pageant:

Miss Colorado

Miss South Carolina

Miss Maryland

Miss Idaho

Miss Oklahoma

BCS National Football Championship vs The Bachelor

Even though we're not a big fan of either team, we are football fans and tonight's game between The University of Alabama and Notre Dame should be a great game.  Since so many of  my Southern friends are Alabama fans, I guess I'll cheer for Alabama, but husband said he likes Notre Dame's coach {Brian Kelly} more than Nick Saban...so house divided once again!

The Bachelor is premiering tonight in the same time slot--8:00 p.m.  I just can't look away from these Bachelor/Bachelorette shows.  My late friend Teresa Jane got me into these crazy reality programs and I guess I'll watch in her memory!

Sean Lowe returns to TV tonight as the The Bachelor.  He's a handsome 6' 3" Texan, who owns and operates an upscale custom furniture business.  Emily Maynard sent him packing on the last Bachelorette even though a lot of viewers thought she would choose him.

We met Sean's family last year...Sean "wants to propose once, be married once, and live a faithful family life, like his parents."

He's a family man and loves spending time with his nephew and his niece Kensington.  Little Miss Kensington won me over last year with her fabulous air-conditioned playhouse.  The color of the house is what I want for our house, with the blue shutters and blue window flower boxes.  {We are still waiting for approval from the HOA on that turquoise blue I want}.  The little playhouse is Air-conditioned y'all!

Thank you for visiting with me today and y'all have a fabulous week!

Downton Abbey

Put the kettle on y'all!  It's time for Downton Abbey.  Tonight is the premiere of season 3 with the Crawley family and I'll be ready at 9:00 p.m. {ET} sharp!

I'm gonna get comfy and cozy and watch from my sofa with some hot tea and scones.  Tonight I'll be sippin' Harney and Sons' Jasmine Fairy Maidens.  This is a tisane...a caffeine-free infusion--not from the tea plant, but made from bark, flower, and seeds. 

My coffee table is set for a "Low Tea" with a scone, lemon curd, double devon creme, and Jasmine Tisane.

I am an avid lover of tea and yesterday I really overindulged!  I had tea in the morning with a small amount of fruit and tons of vitamins.  Then, I went out to do some errands and shopping and stopped at Chick-fil-A and got an iced tea...still no solid food.  By the time I arrived back home, I was shaking like a leaf from the caffeine on an empty stomach!  So tonight, I'm taking it easy on the caffeine, but still getting that wonderful tea flavor.

Tea Tip:  Who should not drink tea?

~Children under the age of two.

~Do not drink tea on an empty stomach, if you have a stomach ailment.

~Do not drink tea one hour before and after taking medications.

~Do not drink tea if you have a kidney problem; consult with your Doctor first.

~Do not drink tea before bedtime if you are a diabetic, elderly, or sick.

If you are a Downton Abbey fan, enjoy the show!

January is National Hot Tea Month

I'm stepping back away from the Starbucks cups for now and sippin' some hot tea.  January is National Hot Tea month and even though I'm in warm, sunny Florida, I still enjoy tea in the morning.    I'm definitely getting back on my "Clean Living Diet" and tea is the perfect beverage to add to a healthy meal, whether it's hot tea or iced tea. Tea has so many health benefits...it's high in polyphenols, a type of anti-oxidant that may protect our cells from the DNA damage that can cause many diseases. Harney Tea is by far my favorite tea and this morning I'm enjoying some of their Florence tea.  It's a flavored black tea, with hazlenut and chocolate flavors.   

Back in 2009, I blogged all about tea during the entire month of January.  If you search my archives, you will find blog posts about The History of Tea, The Health Benefits of Tea, Steeping Tea, Times for Tea, Tea Accoutrements, Styles of Tea Service, Tips to Remember at the Tea Table, and Tea and Dining Etiquette.

Now is the perfect time to have tea with children and teach them how to behave at the table.

"Children's Tea and Etiquette" by Dorothea Johnson, John Harney, and Ann Noyes is the perfect book for those want to breed good manners in young minds...You'll find everything you need to know about children's tea and etiquette...from the invitations...to the thank-you notes!

Ms. Johnson has also written another book...with Bruce Richardson, "Tea and Etiquette."  This book is a must-read for those who take tea for business or pleasure.  It includes chapters on tea history, tea and health information, hosting an afternoon tea at home, tea faux pas, guest duties at a social tea, going out to tea, business tea etiquette, finessing the food at tea, tea types, steeping guides, and recipes.

Please join me and lift your teacups during January to toast National Hot Tea month.  Remember, tea is considered the beverage of hospitality...so go steep some tea!