Lilly Bridesmaid Luncheon Attire

It is the Friday night before Halloween and I am sitting at home blogging while hubby-to-be (2 weeks from tomorrow .. omg ...) is walking Miss Scout and Miss Harper is keeping my lap company. This is how I know I am growing up ... I am not in a costume nor am I sipping non-descript but highly potent punch. Not that I don't enjoy those occasions, they are just more few an far between. Tonight was a success and fun in its own right! I finally decided on my dress for my Lilly themed Bridesmaids Luncheon .... The Memsey Dress (in Aqua) ...

I am loving these "originals" - even Mr. SG agreed as I tried it on that "it goes with the more classic vibe you seem to be aiming for ..." Yes, he actually said that. He is amazing.

We capped the shopping off by splitting our new favorite salad (turkey, green apples, dried cranberries and a lime vinaigrette) at Northpark's La Duni and of course, some happy hour Vino de Casa.

How am I celebrating Halloween? By having my final dress fitting of course! Accompanied by some dear friends, I will be trying on my wedding dress for the last time before it is shipped home in preparation for the Big Day! Lets hope all goes well ... PS - For any Dallas ladies wondering where my fabulous dress was found, it was none other than Stanley Korshak! The Bridal Salon has a wonderful selection and fabulous consultants. My consultant, Becky Tananbaum, has been extremely helpful and made the experience memorable and easy-going. I highly recommend her to any bride!

So wish me luck that the zippers zip and the buttons button!!

Happy Halloween - may you have either nights filled with costumes and candy or Lilly and turkey salad ... whatever floats your boat!

I'm a gleek!

My new obsession ... glee on Fox!! Normally it would come on Fox on Wednesday but tonight some baseball thingy is on instead (I kid ... I know its the World Series). Anyways, I found this show a little late but better late than never I always say!. For those of you who haven't found this fabulous show yet I encourage you to give it a go. And those of you who are skeptical, here are a few reasons to love it!

1) The Music

If you've never heard of it, "Glee Club" is typically a high school program that performs (dances and sings) at a competitive level. This particular version of Glee incorporates modern songs like (Usher's Confessions) with Broadway staples (think Cabaret) and song Classic Rock (Journey, yes please!). There is something for every taste - The Thong Song was even performed! My personal favorites were Carrie Underwood and Jordan Sparks. I love musicals, but I think even those of you who fall asleep during musicals like dear friend SVB (though she has gotten better) will love this show!If you don't believe me, check out the following reasons.

2) The Clothes

Not all of the clothes are good, there is some Aeropostal and such ... But there are some great prepsters i.e. Rachel Berry, the lead female vocalist. The only consistent thing that I love about Rachel's wardrobe is that she frequently wears socks with her penny loafers. Very classic - very prep. Emma Pilsbury is my favorite though. She looks like JCrew, Talbots (the good stuff) and Anthropologie had a baby. Emma wears broaches and cardigans like its her job. If I didn't already love teaching I'd go into the profession just to try and look like her! The only other noteworthy clothes that I can think of are the football uniforms ... its okay people, all of the actors playing high school jocks are actually older than me in real life so my drooling is legal ... see reason number three...

3) Finn Hudson

You may not know this about me but I rarely get crushes. In real life I have had maybe seven ... that's not a lot. Think about it ladies, that includes those days when we had as many crushes as we did Teddy Grahams. There are many "heart throbs" who I do not find too terribly appealing. I don't get the whole Orlando Bloom thing ... I just don't ... I mean I know he's technically attractive but that "spark" is missing for me. My celebrity crushes have tended to be directly related to the characters they portray. For example, I fell in love with Heath Ledger when he played a soldier from the American Revolution in The Patriot. I'm a sucker for uniforms ... I love Prince William in spite of his bald spot because he is a Prince. Titles are sexy - get on it gentlemen! And for some unknown reason I love Robert Pattinson because I have a thing for Vampires ... uh, just kidding. Actually I don't know why I like him - maybe its the brooding, I'm-obsessed-with-you vibe ... who knows ... Anyways, back to Finn - my newest crush. I am obsessed with a capital O ... Obsessed. His boyish looks (he's 27 in real life so relax), his football uniform, the fact that he is secure enough to be the lead singer of Glee Club AND the quarterback ... so many reasons. But see reason numero uno below .. ahh ... his face ... adorable and as far as I can tell from the episodes he is tall which is incredibly important to me as a member of the "Tall Girl Club"

So darlings, even though baseball is taking over tonight, next week tune into FOX at 9 PM Eastern 8 PM Central, I hope you will take my recommendation seriously! And in advance, you're welcome ...

Engagement Shoot

So I disappeared for a little while because this whole "Bride" thing can be a little time consuming. Mr. SG and I went home to good ole' Florida for a bit to attend a Lobster Bake Couples Shower that was thrown by the parents of my dear friend and MOH, SVB. It was positively smashing. Every detail was amazing - the lobster was delicious, the decor was adorable and the favor (homemade blueberry jam) was superb.

While at home, Mr. SG and I finally took some engagement shots with a photographer who is a friend of my mothers, Billy. We shot for over 5 hours at multiple locations around Sarasota. Below you'll see some of our favorite shots. We had an absolute blast. Time flew by and even Mr. SG (who I was worried about wilting a little bit during such a long shoot) thought that it felt like an hour. The bathing suit shot was taken at some retro looking cabanas on Siesta Key. The picnic varieties were taken on the grounds of the Phillipi Creek Mansion (it was verrryyy windy there!). The Vespa shots were taken on my mom's Vespa in our neighborhood. And the rest were taken around our house and on our dock.

This photographer is incredibly talented - none of these photographs have been photo shopped or airbrushed (though he'll do it if you want him to). He is a master at picking the rights spots, poses and light to maximize the potential for the best shots.

Follow this link to his blog if you'd like to find out more about his work.

http://encompasscreative.net/blog/

Otherwise ENJOY out photos and tune in this week because I am baaccckkkk from wedding world. Well, sort of .... 20 days until I become a Mrs !!!

Hair today, gone tomorrow ...

So I have been a bad blogger but for someone with a sizeable amount of time on my hands, I have been alarmingly busy with wedding stuff. Some days it seems like I go from one phone call to another - bouncing around modifications and requests and people who didn't RSVP! It really is amazing at how much time the little things take. I am very grateful to be able to put thought into this special day and to have the time to be at my best as a hostess.

Tonight on the agenda while Mr. SG is in class, is wine sampling with dear friend and bridesmaid, CLK later on at the Hamlin -Williams household, to make some decisions on the vino for the carving party next week. I am packing for our trip back to sunny Florida for our Lobster Bake themed couples shower! The parents of SVB, my MOH alongside sweet sister AEW, are hosting said fete at their lovely home and personally cooking lobster for 40 of our wedding party, family and friends! They are wonderfully generous and champion party throwers. I am thinking about wearing a Target dress that I have already taken it for a "test run" at the New Members reception for Slipper Club (a social & philanthropy club here in Dallas). It is comfortable, flattering and great for Fall! I am sooo excited about the shower - I will hopefully remember to post pics!

But before all that I have a haircut!! It has been too long and now it is too long (haha) and as a consequence is easily tangled. So I am going in for a trim. But this cut has got me thinking seriously about my post-wedding locks. Many ladies do a big chop after the nuptials. I don't necessarily want to do that, however my hair has been lacking a certain "je ne sais quois" lately. Really though I know what it is lacking and that is a good shape!! It is just blah! But Mr. SG loves it long (don't most men seem to feel this way??) and many of my friends gasp in horror when I suggest removing inches ... but we'll see. For now this type of style below pictured on two of my absolute LEAST favorite celebrities, is what I am thinking about ...

After November 14th, I think I am feeling more of the Lauren Conrad style - her color is somewhat similar to mine even though I am a little darker. Ah the things to think about!

On the Menu

Like a good AH, I have been musing with the menu for the week. I already know that one night we are going to a restaurant that my friend CLK and I tried last week and I having been craving ever since. It is called Bliss Cafe and for you Dallas dears, it is on Greenville Ave, very close to Nordstrom rack. Bliss focuses on Raw and organic food. Totally Gluten free. I had their version of a Margarita Pizza and I would rather eat theirs than the real thing!! The crust is made out of pumpkin seeds with basil and pistachio pesto topped by cashew cheese and of course, tomatoes. Sounds odd I am sure but it is delicious and nutrient packed. Because it is so full of nutrients you feel full very quickly and you stay full because your body recognizes that it has gotten what it needs!

Despite feeling full, we had to try their "brownies" made with dates and raw cocoa. They are rich, heavenly and healthy!! For those of you who know me, I am not one who actively seeks out healthy food. I hate whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta etc .. my body literally rejects that stuff. But this?? This is amazing and convinced one southern gal that if I could eat at Bliss for every meal for the rest of my life (all raw food) I would be okay!!


This is not to say I don't like healthy food - I am just not the gal that orders brown rice. I but there are things that are healthy that I just happen to like. I have always been a huge veggie and fruit fan. (I generally don't like legumes however.) What I really like is to find something that is healthy but feels like its indulgent. One of the favorites in the Southern Grace household that falls into this category is bison! Here are some quick bison facts:



72% to 92% less fat (depending upon the cut of the meat.)
An average if 50% less cholesterol.
30% higher in protein and less calories.
No growth-inducing hormones or steroids.
No known human allergies.



Per 3 oz. serving, Bison has 47 less calories than chicken, 90 less than lean ground beef, 32 less than fish and turkey and it has the least cholesterol of all of them!! This delicious meat taste richer than any of these aforementioned meats. I would rather eat a bison burger any day!! Think of the possibilities - bison meatballs, bison meatloaf, bison meat sauce and bison chili!! If your palate is like mine then if you substitute bison for beef in anyone of these instances you will find a much richer and tastier end result. So one the weekly menu, we are going to try bison chili. Here is the recipe that I got off the Food Network. If all goes well, we might serve this up at our pumpkin carving party next week!!



Ingredients

4 cups diced onions
1 roasted poblano, seeded and diced
1/2 cup diced celery


2 cups diced bell peppers
1/2 cup minced garlic
2 1/2 pounds ground Bison
9 ounces dark chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 (10-pound) can diced tomatoes
1 (5-pound) can kidney beans


1 (5-pound) can black beans
24 ounces tomato-vegetable juice



Directions

Saute onions, poblanos, celery, bell peppers, and garlic until translucent. Add meat and saute together. Mix together chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper and add to meat and vegetable mixture. Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and black beans. Add tomato-vegetable juice. Let simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.






I have made regular chili before of course and found a way to leave out the beans but I can't remember how I did it or what I added more of in place. Today I am going to leave you with a picture of beautiful Montana. Why you ask? Because one day I hope Mr. SG and I can make it to this beautiful state but also because lots of bison roam in Montana and I couldn't put up a picture of a precious bison. A nod to last nights "Bored to Death" on HBO - "In my heart I am a Vegan. In my mouth I lack discipline"

Stay Chic,

HSG

Mom for a day ...

Early morning tomorrow I leave for St. Louis - a suprise trip that I booked just last night. While an undergrad at SMU I competed on the Mock Trial team (like law school Moot Court but the undergrad version) - I have always considered law school and who knows, may eventually end up there! But in the mean time I have been helping out as a Coach to two of the three SMU teams. At the last minute I am jetting up to a competition at St. Louis University to coach them through the weekend. The other Coach is a friend I have spoken of, and blog follower, DBK who is leaving for St. Louis tonight. So last night we took his precious dog, Cheney, to dog-sit for the weekend. Today I am the proud stay-at-home-mom of two dogs and one cat. (Below is a picture of Cheney). Adding another dog to the dynamic is crazy!!!! Scout stays with DBK and Cheney occasionally when we go out of town so they already know each other but these girlies loooveee to rough-and-tumble around the house. Before noon, Cheney had already pooped in the house three times (because she is nervous, I'm sure, since she is well trained) and every time I put the leash on her to go outside she pees - so I have used out go-to carpet cleaner (Spot Shot) about 5 times. When the delivery man came (we have been getting daily wedding gift deliveries so he and I are becoming friends) the two dogs freaked out started running around like wild animals. I began to lose my mind at the constant rough housing and scampering and so I just instituted a mandatory nap time and put both the little angels in their kennels. Now as I type they are snoring away. So if I have learned something from the past few hours (yes, mere hours!!) it is that Mr. SG and I cannot get another dog until we have a house and a yard - condo living is a bit tough with two active pooches.

While we are on the topic of dogs, I have been toying with the idea of ordering booties for dear Scout now that winter and sad weather is on the way. She absolutely hates going outside when it is cold and wet. She'll do it - but she doesn't enjoy it. I found these boots (below) for a very reasonable $13 ... these things tend to be over priced but I think I would plunk down $13 for little Scout's comfort. These are from Handsnpaws.com. I am sure some of you dear readers are rolling your eyes at the thought of booties ... I know, I know ... but couldn't it be bad for her feet? Or are their little pads enough? Something to think about ... we still have some time until Dallas consistently stays below 55.

Stay Chic,

HSG

Monogrammed Madness

Today's post is monogrammed themed because all three things on my mind have to do with monogramming!!

1) At our Target, women's crew neck sweatshirts are on sale for $6. I scooped up a white one and am having it monogrammed in navy. Since it is starting to get cold, I figured I could add a little prep to my step by wearing a monogrammed sweatshirt when out walking scout on a chilly morning! But the most exciting part is that I am going to have it monogrammed with my new, post-marital initials!

2) Now that the wedding gifts have started to pour in, I ordered stationary with our new monogram. My stationary expert suggested that we do this and write thank yous as they come in but send them out the day after the wedding. I had been writing the notes as they came on my personal stationary but now we are going to switch to this tactic. The stationary came in today and I was so excited to the the very first thing with our new monogram and sadly they were the wrong size! As I opened the box and saw how positively microscopic they were, I said to Scout "What is this, a thank you note for ants?!" Making Zoolander references to the dog is a sign that I need to get a life ... Anyhow, I somehow ordered 2" x 3" cards which are tiny!! We'll still be able to use them as gift enclosures but now I have to order more in the correct size!!

3) I ordered my monogrammed decal to put on my pink and green drink tub for the Lilly Bridesmaids Luncheon. I am having a "Juice Bar" as a nod to the famous shifts dress' origins. So I am ordering two decals (one for each tub) to preppy-fy the tubs. Of course, I am doing it in my new monogram (for practical purposes so that I can use it again post nuptials).

Picture courtesy of JustStuffItGifts.com

P.S. If you are looking for a fun shower theme for your Southern Bride or Southern Mommy-to-Be then why not throw a monogram shower! Think of all the fun party supplies you could have, not to mention all of the fabulous fun gifts for the lucky Southern Gal!

Stay Chic,

HSG

Halloween!!

Oh how I love October. It has to be one of my favorite months. I think if I lived on the East Coast I would start packing up my summery clothes in September. But having lived the majority of my life in Florida and Texas, October has been my signature summer clothes storage month. I also LOVE Halloween - such a fun and whimsical holiday. I have happily decided that this week I am going to start getting into the spirit and slowly setting out Halloween decor. By slowly I mean like this - I start with a bowl full of gourds and pumpkins (redundant, I am aware ...) on our dining room table. I then move to tea towels in our kitchen. Next, our glass pumpkin filled with candy corn and finally I bring on the front doormat, scary cats, cute bats, etc ... The picture below is exactly like our glass pumpkin - I found one just like my mom had for us growing up at Crate and Barrel.

I have also put our annual pumpkin carving party on the books for a little over two weeks from now.

My mom plays a big part in my thought process that each family should have holiday traditions and one step further, a "signature" holiday party. Her signature party is the New Year's Day Hop 'n' John - Hop 'n' John being a southern dish of black eyed peas traditionally served on the New Year to bring luck and prosperity.

But back to Halloween! Following her example, my signature party so far seems to be a pumpkin carving party. My roommate and great friend ACR started this party as a mini birthday for some good friends of ours. The next year when Mr. SG moved to Dallas, we picked it up and have had it every year since!

So today I am running to Swoozies and Michaels to get some supplies to make our invitations later tonight. My go-to source for Halloween (and all Holidays ...) is Martha. Her Holiday decor is always so chic! I will be trying to replicate these invitations below for the pumpkin carving party.

More details to come on our menu and party decor. Until then, wish me luck on the invites!!

Stay Chic,

HSG

Bachelorette

We have made it to October and boy have these months flown by. October brings for Mr. SG and I so many fun events kicked off by my Bachelorette party! My lovely bridesmaids have come together and planned what is going to be a wonderful day of girly fun here in Dallas. Most of the details are a surprise to me which is so incredibly fun. But what i do know is that we're starting off with a luncheon of sorts, then moving on to a Spa afternoon and ending up parting our ways at the SMU v. TCU game in Ft. Worth.

This just shows you that Bachelorette parties come in all shapes and sizes. Not everyone has to end up bar hopping. If an afternoon affair is more your style then do it! I was talking to my wedding planner today and she reminded me of the movie "The Wedding Date" which I happen to love. If you've seen it then you probably remember the Hen Party (the British term for Bachelorette Party) where the girls dressed up in sexy and cute golf and tennis attire. So those of you charged with planning your Bride's Bachelorette, think about how you can make it uniquely tailored to the Bride and everyone's style. It doesn't always have to be Vegas or Vegas -eqsue (though that's where Mr. SG had his Bachelor Party ... )

Something I like for birthday parties and really any party is a fun theme. When my friend CLK turned 22 we celebrated with an 80's style Whirly Ball party. If that sounds like your Bride then look up a something like Whirly Ball, bowling, roller skating, etc .. and hearken back to a carefree fun time when our birthday parties were spent gliding around an ice rink and snatching up a goody bag filled with whistles, candy and pogs. (remember pogs?) Below is a (somewhat racy) pic from The Wedding Date where she's wearing her Golf outfit for the bachelorette - you barely see her argyle knee socks ... how cute!

So thank you to my wonderful bridesmaids and friends - I am so excited about this weekend! And my blogger loves, I might be out of pocket for a few days since I am entertaining house guests (Bridesmaids KMP and SVB) but we'll see!!

Stay Chic,

HSG