My Trip To The Miss USA Pageant

I was beyond excited to attend the Miss USA 2013 pageant while in Las Vegas last week!  I have already seen Celine Dion and Elton John and the other shows were not my style.  We stayed at Caesar's, which a just a short stroll from the pageant venue at Planet Hollywood.

My ticket to the best event in town!

I wore my St. John Knits suit and was totally not-dressed-flashy-enough!

My accessories for the evening...Ralph Lauren pageant pumps and Jack Rogers walkers, Tory Burch purse, St. John Knits necklace and earrings, Rolex dressy watch, and my Cartier wedding band.

I had fun the day before the pageant...stalking all the girls.  I cannot tell y'all how tall and skinny all the girls are.  I don't think they ever eat!

The night of the final event, I enjoyed champagne at the Halo Bar, just outside of the showroom.  I was surrounded by beautiful girls.  They were all wearing their best pageant clothes, super high heels, sashes and perfect hair.  Pageant royalty was everywhere!

I got to chat briefly with Miss Mississippi Teen USA.  She was perfect.  We both have lived in Southaven, Mississippi and we both love pageants.  Win Win!  BFF's.

Pretty girls wearing sashes...everywhere.  During the event, I sat next to a beautiful girl...I believe she was Miss Teen Arizona United States.  She was a little bitty pretty thing!

So here is the way I wanted it to go...

Miss Alabama, Mary Margaret McCord was my favorite going in.  She is just gorgeous!  Of course, she was first runner-up.

Miss South Carolina.  Va-Voom.  This girl is a knockout.  I wanted her to come in as first-runner up, but she was the 4th runner-up.

Of course, the winner of Miss USA 2013, Erin Brady is gorgeous, but I had her as being the 2nd runner-up.    

Marissa Powell, Miss Utah.  Oh dear...After her answer in the Q & A, I thought she would come in as 4th runner-up, but she came in as 3rd.  I could hear very loud gasps from the audience during her botched response.  Social media exploded with criticism and people making fun of her and her response has gone viral.  I cannot imagine how this girl feels after being heartbroken over losing the crown and then to hear people making fun of her.  It appears that she just "zoned out" during her response.  These things happen when someone is given an "off the cuff" question.

Miss Illinois, Stacie Juris was not even in my top 15.  She came in as 2nd runner-up!

It was an amazing night and definitely the highlight of my trip to Vegas!  I'll be back later with more from my Palm Springs and Vegas trip.

Hey Y'all!

I just realized a few days ago that I have not blogged in several weeks!  I've been busy getting ready to go away for a couple of of months... tomorrow I'm off to California, Nevada, and then to Georgia to stay with my Mama for awhile!  Of course, Mama raised me to make sure the house was clean when I go away...just in case I don't come back.  "Lord have mercy, you don't want mourners coming into a dirty house!"

So, I've been busy...I Annie Sloan-ed this cabinet in the kitchen.  It's "Old Ochre" and I love the way you can use the paint indoors...there are no paint fumes!  Once I got started, then I had to clean and organize the entire kitchen!

Polishing all the silver...

Went through my stash of paper plates...I'm a paper plate hoarder!  The two patterns in the bottom photo are my favorites.

Then it was on to my paper napkins...I do crack myself up all the time!

Just a few of my napkin rings and place card holders.

I cleaned everything on top of my cabinets.  Only six roosters survived the reorganization plan!

On my way to my friend Lane's house with the stuff that didn't make the cut...I'm not a very good packer.  But, I do love to give Lane my loot, 'cuz she makes me Cuban coffee in exchange.  Worth it!!!

I entertained with a very informal supper.  Pink rooster and gingham dinnerware.

I served strawberry shortcake for dessert.  This is my husband's favorite dessert!

During my cleaning spree, I took a break for "Elevenses Tea" served on the kitchen island.  That little rooster teapot was one of the fortunate roosters to survive my cleanup!

Here's some of the outfits I've been wearing:

'Derby Day' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

Monogrammed 'Havana Good Time' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

'Oh Jackie' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

I can't remember where I bought this comfy orange tunic.  I do love the J Crewlet tortoise cuff with the monogrammed decal I slapped on it.

I loved the black gingham blouse and bright yellow J Crewlet cardi.  Of course the purse, shoes, and belt are all Chanel.  But, the stars of this outfit are the critter bangles from Target!

Today starts the first leg of my vacation...Palm Beach to Palm Springs!

This morning, I served a light Brunch to celebrate the first day of our vacation.  In the words of Lee Radziwill, "Brunch after 11 am is just lunch!"  So y'all make sure you serve Brunch before 11 am!

Getting ready with a little roadie for the trip to the airport...I have a huge fear of flying!!!

Baby Rachel Graduates From College

Sunday's church sermon was about Baby Rachel and the trials she has faced in her life.  This is Baby Rachel back in 1989.  You may remember the story about her...she was known as "Dumpster Baby."  Born September 27, 1989, baby Rachel was sealed inside a garbage bag with her umbilical cord and placenta still attached.  The trash bag was thrown into a dumpster.

The gentleman in the photo below is Thomas Stephenson.  He was taking out some garbage to that dumpster which was located behind his wife's floral shop.  He heard a baby crying and just before baby Rachel ran out of oxygen he retrieved the bag.  The precious little girl had a fractured skull and hematomas on both sides of her head.

Over in Dunkirk, Maryland, Jenifer and Dane Clark were watching the developing story on the news.  The couple had been hoping to adopt a child and had been on a waiting list for 8 years.  While baby Rachel was being cared for in the hospital, the Clark's filed the necessary papers to adopt little Rachel.  They were approved and took Rachel home to raise her.

For the first six years of her life, Rachel experience terrible nightmares.  Despite all the love bestowed upon her by her adoptive parents, Rachel was obsessed with the idea that they would die and leave her alone.

Rachel received a lot of therapy well into her teen years.

This is Rachel with her adoptive parents.  Even today, at the age of 23, Rachel struggles with fear of abandonment.  However, she is so grateful that her parents took her "kicking and screaming" to get the therapy that she needed.

Rachel is graduating from the University of Maryland this year...a Straight-A student.  She is getting married this summer and then wants to write a book about adoption.  Rachel and her fiance hope to have a least 4 children!

Rachel is still searching for her birth parents.  She forgives them.  She wants to tell them that she forgives them!  What a lesson we can all learn from this young girl about the power of forgiveness.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day weekend, we remember the men and women who died while serving our Country in the Armed Forces.

Families will gather for cookouts...

I'll be in kitchen whipping up my standard meal for the occasion...

Memphis-style barbecue sandwiches...pulled pork and cole slaw, sooooo good y'all!  I'll serve these with baked beans, potato salad, and sweet pickles.  Watermelon for dessert, of course!

I hope that y'all enjoy your weekend.

We should all be so grateful that we live in America--protected by brave men and women who serve our Country!

Pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country!

Tea on the Porch

Tea on the Porch today.

I used my blue and white dinnerware with pops of pink...

I finally realized that I'm an orchid killer, so it's faux orchids for me from now on!  My faux orchids look better than the live ones I've been killing.

Chinoiserie placecards...

Monogrammed silver napkin rings...

Grapefruit juice and champagne and cute pink chinoiserie beverage napkins.

Savories, scones, and sweets...on Detox Monday.  Shame on me!

Outfit of the Day.

Here's What I Wore.   The dress is Barbara Gerwit, the tote is by Michael Kors, and the flats are by Tory Burch.

So tonight, I'm back to some Lean Cuisine and some Clean Living food.  Hope y'all have a great week!