Wish List

We are spending a much needed night on the couch just relaxing after an amazing weekend!

We got to spend this past weekend with a lot of my closest friends and we had an absolute blast. The newlyweds are off to their honeymoon and I'm just so thankful the wedding was perfect for her. Big prayers for a safe trip for them!

Pictures to come later this week from this past weekend, I just haven't had time to upload them yet :)

In the mean time...I've been gathering a few things here and there for my "wish list". I'm not one to normally have a so called list, but lately, I've wanted a ~~few things~~........everything. Sigh.

I'm hoping there's going to be some good news relating to my job this week, so I'm gearing up to possibly reward myself!

Gimme!!

I'm a school/office supply snob!

Since I won't get the chance to purchase school supplies this year,

I'm thinking I will gift these to myself.

I'm normally a big sharpie pen fan,

but when I found these, I knew they were a must have

for my new planner that should be arriving soon!

I've also been in the market

for a new case for my iPhone.

I found this and just fell completely in love with it!

I am a big fan of green and then to add black and white stripes

to it just makes it that much better.

This is a definite must have.

Southernly Smitten and I have this new desire to

get started on a weekly game of tennis which means...

I must purchase a tennis racket.

I'm really hoping that it will be a good way

to have fun while also working out!

I'm so excited and just need to get this baby in the mail!

I have been after one of these straw tumblers for a while!

I found them on Monogram Chick's site

and think they are just perfect.

Is there anything that you're just dying to get your hands on before the summer ends??

I think everyone deserves to gift themselves every now and then!

Cheers to the start of a new week!

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Ostrich Feather Bolero

How fabulous is this ostrich feather bolero from Anthropolgie's Bridal Shop BHLDN? Mentally filing for Mardi Gras season 2012! Have a wonderful weekend! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

And here are more pics with the feather Bolero from a Cup of Joe! I'm in LOVE!

Cochon de Lait: A Cajun Pig Roast Party!

Cochon de laits are always a sight to see! French for 'suckling pig', the cochon de lait is basically a cajun pig roast and feast of a whole young pig. It's a common social event in Louisiana and you will see this done at many plantation weddings and large scale outdoor events. I always love experiencing them at Chef John Folse's White Oak Plantation, as he has dedicated an entire section of his outdoor courtyard for this cajun delicacy. Jordan, event planner at White Oak, sent me the picture below and you can find the recipe to Chef Folse's cochon de lait detailed on the Food Network. If you want to try this at home, make sure you work closely with your butcher, and glance through this site HERE. Enjoy! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

Bray Danielle Photography

Contact Jordan Miguez at White Oak Plantation at jordanm@jfolse.com.

Cowboys + Indians + Cajuns Theme Party

I'm working on a Cowboys + Indians + Cajuns LSU theme party for next week, and I've been digging deep into my Texas & Oklahoma roots to get inspiration. I want to keep this somewhat simple and classic, so my design inspiration is below. Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

I'm playing off of purple peacock, tiger striped feathers, gold glitter tulle and twine.

Tortoise Shell vases tied with gold glitter tulle and with hanging beads and feathers

Burlap runner with personalized message. See how-to via Cookie Cutter House.

All gifts wrapped in burlap and tied with the tulle, twine, feathers and brown swede rope.

A mini tiger on every plate.

The Menu

The food will be chosen individually from a menu at a cajun restaurant, so no serious preparation or catering decisions here.

However...

I'm ordering a white cake with white icing (with some specific desgins) from a local caterer and making chocolate dipped jalapeno zapps to top the cake off. I'm testing out zapps recipes this weekend and will post the most successful one next week.

Lastly I will provide...

Abita Rootbeer & crunchy oatmeal cookies (for rootbeer float desserts with cake) at every setting.

Fill in the Blank Friday

To finish up this great week, I am linking up with Lauren over at, the little things we do for her Fill in the Blank Friday! One of my favorite readers/bloggers, Caroline, links up with her on Friday's, and it just looked like a great way to incorporate some different things on my blog...instead of me just blabbing :)

1. My favorite color is...purple. For this week. I'm an indecisive person and I love all colors...especially white and grey, fun right? But for now, it's purple and that's clear by a few of my purchases lately. (I like green a lot too.....see, I can't decide!).

via here

2. My travel destination of choice is...Turks and Caicos. Okay, so it's not realistic...but hello, look at this place! I'd go anywhere at this point, until then I'll close my eyes and pretend that I'm here.

...and if I'm staying in the States, I'd take a trip to the Hampton's (Fun Fact: also what we want to name our golden retriever one day!) and vacate in this house for the week. swoon.

via here

3. My favorite food is...nestle toll house ultimate chocolate chip lover cookies. Oh my goodness...my parent's are going to just scream when they see this. It's because of them and C that I have eaten some of the best food this world has to offer...and I love it all. I love filets, I love home cooked meals, I love mexican and I love hot dogs...but right now, I am stuffed from dinner and the only thing that sounds good to my taste buds is the thought of these little lovelies in the oven.......they are mine and C's special treats. Some of you love these, right?! If you haven't ever had them...RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE and don't forget the milk! And don't cook them for as long as the package says, trust us on this one...11 minutes.

via here

4. My happy place is...not a place. It's wherever...as long as I'm with a few certain people. They make the happy place, happy...no matter where it is.

5. My favorite saying is...

"I know in my heart that man is good.

That what is right will always eventually triumph.

And there's purpose to each and every life"

- Ronald Reagan

...and another one of my favorites...

"Care more than others think is wise...

Risk more than others think is safe...

Dream more than others think is practical...

and expect more than others think is possible"

-Howard Schultz

...Oh..and my Mama's favorite

"It is, what it is"

I have one more...I just can't not share them all with you, they are too good. I'm a worrier and this is the one I repeat to myself an awful lot...

"Do not anticipate trouble,

or worry about what may never happen...

keep in the sunlight"

- Ben Franklin

Last one I swear.....

via here

6. My dirty little secret is...I love mom blogs. I know. It's weird, all of my friends have informed me. I'm not a mom, and I won't be for a while. But it just fills my heart with joy to see the day-to-day happenings of happy sweet kids.

7. Something friends might say about me is...I don't know how to finish a story (and boy, are they right), or I don't know how to have just one conversation. I'm a talker, and that means that I talk about 5 small stories before the one that was started ever gets finished...if it ever does. Oops :)

Happy Weekend to you all!!

WOO HOO!!

Tea Lights + Candles

I had lunch with my friend Joy yesterday, and we got on the subject of decorating with candles. She's in the midst of planning her New Orleans wedding and has the most gorgeous courtyard, pool and exposed brick to work with! I'm a sucker for the way planners use tea lights and candles to compliment elements like glass and water. There's such a simple elegance to it all. My friend (and event planner) Ashley at the Louisiana State Museum does such a great job with this that I asked her to send me pictures. I've included them below with the addition of others. Happy Thursday! xoxo, Julie

Pics from the Louisiana State Museum

Other Pics I Love

Follow Ashley at the Louisiana State Museum on Twitter @ashleypierceLSM

If you see a picture and know who the credit belongs to, please send me the info and I will add immediately. I am also happy to take down any pics by request of the owner. Thanks!

Pinterest Obsession

I'm on the Pinterest.com bandwagon going full speed ahead! Thank you Annie and Brandyn for the introduction! See my early version of pinterest below. It's where I've kept many of my ideas and event planning notes since my social chairman days in 1999, and I keep it guarded with my life! Lot's of secrets inside! Happy Thursday! xoxo, Julie

Your Pinata!

My youngest brother's LSU graduation is next week! YAY Joey! Well, I came across this super fun and talented artist Meaghan's Your Pinata site earlier this year, and her forte is sculpting look-a-like pinatas! She's wonderful! I'm thinking a Joey-LSU-graduate-pinata filled with cash is exactly what he needs! If you knew him you would agree! Go to Meaghan's link HERE to order your very own pinata! Happy Thursday! xoxo, Julie