Canvas Is "In"

Throughout my few 26 years I could count on one hand the number of things I have ordered form Lands End. Not that there is something wrong with the company, quite on the contrary, they have a fantastic reputation for quality fabrics but I have always felt their focus has really been on an older target market. Perhaps the preppy mom versus the trying not to age too quickly twenty-somethings. But I was all too pleased to find a new and younger line called Canvas from Lands End. They still seem to be testing their niche with this line because the selection is limited, however, very promising I must say. Upon my visit, I found quite a few things I would love to add to my little wardrobe but in an effort to budget, decided to refrain from the entire "wants" list. This yummy yellow peacoat was on the on the top of said list and at a ballpark price of $80 dollars, really quite a steal! I sadly could not justify the purchase; being that here in MS you are either frigid cold or miserably hot this coat may not have found a home on my body as often as I would have liked.


I was super excited to find a generic pair of Wayfarer's and did convince myself this was a necessary purchase. I have been eyeballing the real thing since summer but could not commit to the steep price tag. I finally made up my mind I was going to bite the bullet and what do a trip over but these beauties...

and for half the price! Love to find a steal, don't you?!

Tales of Christmas Past

I am fully aware that it is January 8th and I am just now posting about my Christmas festivities but as is my usual motto "better late than never", right? With two weeks off, and almost that long for Andrew, we really were able to enjoy our holiday this year. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with Andrew's family in Hattiesburg and were able to drive to Memphis on Christmas Day to spend a few days with mine. It was soo nice to come back home after being away for something like 5/6 months! That is entirely too long to stay away from a place you love so much. Unfortunately, Andrew's Christmas present to me this year was not an announcement that he was going to allow me to move back to my beloved abyss but hey, there is always next year? I had the chance to see several of my sweetest friends and of course consume some delicious grub, life is good!

One of the true highlights of the holiday season was traveling all the way to Sugarland, TX ((pretty much Houston)) and spend a FANTASTIC weekend with one of Andrew fraternity brothers, and good friend, Kris Crawford & his wife Laura Lynn. They bought a beautiful new home a little while back and were throwing their first Christmas shin dig! Andrew and I had not been back to TX since their wedding, over two years ago, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to see them in their world again. I am so glad we decided to make the trek because we had so much fun! I was even able to see one of my funniest and sweetest friends Erin while we were there so it was just a perfect weekend! Hubs even conceded to the peer pressure and tried sushi, WHICH HE ENJOYED!! You have no idea how much progress this is for me and my relationship with sushi!! I have yet to get him back to a sushi restaurant but this is one large baby step for mankind, you have just have no idea! To say the least, the trip was a true success in more ways than one. We left for Houston with a party of three and came back with only two, which would normally seem like a slight hiccup but if you know Kevin Maloney this really would be quit normal. That's a story for another day!



Christmas Eve after church with the "mini" - and no she doesn't pick her nose, at least not yet!

The hubs and the one we left behind

One of my favorite peeps

Hubby was also able to attend the Sugar Bowl this year, much thanks to Mazoud, and originally I was going to attend but decided to stay at the hizzy and let the brother-in-law go. From the looks of the view, I may be regretting that decision! They had a really good time though and that, all in all, is what matters!

Merry Late Christmas Everyone! Here's to more blogging time in 2010!

I mean, what the hay has been going on lately? Not only have I just completely not felt like blogging, most nights it really doesn't even occur to me! Put me in the bag girl blogger corner please! Really, not many show stoppas happen in my little life these days but we have had a few fun events to partake in the past month or so. A few weeks back a bunch of us threw and engagement party/shower for Rachael and Danny! It was the most fun I have had in quite sometime, so much fun in fact, that the next morning I literally thought to myself I teach children and I am too old for this. It was all well worth it though. I got to see friends I haven't seen in months (( because if you didn't know I live in a hole far far away from all)) and we were all so happy to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of two amazing people!! Can't wait for the wedding and our stay at the Alluvian - this is exacting news because I have heard so much about this hotel!


Other than that... it is FOOTBALL SEASON! Yes!! Mississippi State Football should be everyone's favorite past time! I love the entire package they call tailgating, and the game - well you can't beat 'em! But this year we have seen some of the best games we have experienced in some time. No, we aren't "winning" yet - but dang at least we are finally competing and I could not be more proud of our Bulldawgs! We are going to get there ((insert knock on wood)) and I can't wait for Mullen to experience a GREAT success at State, he deserves it! I actually got chills and squirted one during the Florida game... not sure this combination has ever happened to me before?!?


The almost newlyweds in their new snazzy grilling aprons!


The hostesses minus the burly men - who were most definitely doing something manly at the time

The hubs and I - he was so cute and cozy this particular evening!

some of the boys - Mazoud's first game of the year and his day of birth!

some of the girlies

Wish I had more pictures from Starkville - but I have been terrible with the photogs this year! Got several good ones from the FL game but I'm lazy and don't feel like getting them off the card!

Going to see the mini this weekend. It was her 1st b-day on the 27th and we are going to celebrate with a partaa on Saturday! - oh and speaking of b-days, turned 26 on the 20th - booo, I am over the hump of "mid-twenties"... and that sucks!

Better Late Than... REALLY Late

Happy 2 Years! Just a little late - August 18th to be exact - was Andrew and I's 2 year anniversary. Two years has flown by and has been a slow creep. Seems crazy to say but we have endured so many different things that when looking back on the past you think wow that seemed so long ago and didn't that just happen yesterday?! We had our annual celebration this year in the lovely city of Chattanooga, TN. My brain automatically ventured to sand and sun during the planning stage of our retreat but Andrew thought it would be better to experience some place we hadn't already been together. I am so happy he made such a suggestion! Although, I am from Tennessee I had not been to Chattanooga since childhood and Andrew had never been before so it was the perfect weekend destination. We both took Friday off of work so we were able to leave Thursday night and make it half way, to Birmingham. This turned out to be the perfect plan because we made it to Chattanooga for an early lunch and a half day visit to the Aquarium! That night we had an AMAZING dinner at Blue Water Grille -oo wee, it was the best meal I have had in quite awhile (we actually even discussed going there for a second night!) I must also insert here that I have discovered a new favorite cocktail! A pomegranate mojito! If you have not been so lucky as to have sipped this fine beverage you must do so very soon!


The next day we made our way to all the touristy places - Ruby Falls (beautiful and highly recommended!), Lookout Mountain and the Incline Railroad. It took all day Saturday but it was so nice to spend every minute with just the hubby. That night we had another great dinner at Easy Bistro and followed it up with a free concert by the river. The band, Pappa Mali, was a New Orleans based Blues band and SO GOOD we even bought their CD although I should mention they are much better live!

All in all it was a perfect vacation...literally could not have been any better and I was sad to have to go home, mostly because Andrew and I don't get enough time to just relax, do something new and just be totally alone. We had an amazing time!

Utopia

Although almost a complete month has past since our family vaca to Miramar Beach, Fl I am still dreaming about my 7 days in Utopia. We had so much fun relaxing, soaking up the glorious rays and consuming much pleasure at all the local eateries. ((We were even were able to experience the prescence of John Cohen who seemingly was vacationing at the same time. He passed right by our table at LA Langiappe and of course hubby was the only one who noticed. We were eating outside on the back deck so I "tried" to get a good shot but he apparently was not concerned with my photo op b'c he wondered too far away!)) This year we rented a house which was amazing. Andrew and I were able to stay in the Carriage House that was attached to the main house by a walkway. May I just say, personal air conditioning unit, a balcony with a beautiful view and an extremely cozy bed. It was heaven! The house had it's own private pool and surprisingly half of our time was spent there rather than the beach, especially on those sweltering afternoons when all we wanted to do was refresh our sunkissed bods!! I could go on and on about how much I love the beach but I think I will just end with a few snapshots so that I may reminensce!





((our beautiful niece Mary Ashley))
this was our last day - hence actually being UNDER the umbrellas!


All the girls- even the mini!

Andrew and his beautimus sisies!
The Family

Our Humble Abode for 7 Days!!

Baytowne

Boston/ BLC Conference iMovie

Nothing to exciting in regards to iMovies, but it is my first one so I was happy to be able to complete it. Hopefully they will get better! and ps - please no laughing at the dorky intro I didn't know I was going to have to record myself as you can see by my complete awkwardness!

BLC '09 from Rebekah Gilpin on Vimeo.

So Tired

Second week away from home. First the beach, pictures coming soon. Second, Boston for work, video coming soon. This has been my lengthiest blogger dry spell yet. I am so tired but I will not be away too much longer, promises promises.