Country Living Mag 2011 Fair

Country Living magazine hosts a fair in Columbus Ohio and Atlanta Georgia each fall. The theme of the fair is to come and experience “country living” with hundreds of booths showcasing talented artisans, antiquers and fantastic fall flavors. 

Well those of you that know me, know that I’m a southern girl (born in Alabama, college in Texas and Mississippi and then off to Tennessee before finally landing in Ohio) so country life is in my blood. Last year I was on my way to Disney World for their Not So Scary Halloween Party (it was fabulous by the way; I wish we were going again this year!) and didn’t get to attend. Well I wasn’t going to miss the Fair again this year!

And guess what! I had the opportunity to meet the editor, Sarah Gray Miller (that’s her on the right). She was lovely and down to earth, just how you would expect a good ole Mississippi girl to be. And I have to tell you, she was wearing these fabulous worn cowgirl boots and shared that she picked them up on eBay for $10. {I need a size 8.5 if anyone wants to get me a Christmas gift!}

So as you can imagine, I flitted around taking pictures of almost everything in my path. My creative brain was in overdrive with inspiration.

These are just a few of the things I thought were too lovely not to photograph. My absolute favorite are the angel wings made from an old picket fence. How clever and creative!

There was also tons of seasonal inspiration at every turn. How fun are those plush pumpkins?!

And the signage was just too fun not to share. I expected the sidewalk signage, but the outhouse was just funny and then my son really wanted to take the motorcycle signage home. “Mom, it’s just too cool!”

And I can’t leave without sharing a few fun pics of my boys enjoying the day. They love to “go” and that includes exploring with their mom. These are some of the fun times I captured. The “Great Pumpkin Patch” in the center of town, my youngest with this month’s Country Living magazine cover image in the background (love those pumpkin ideas!), my boys jumping off of the hay in front of the test kitchen… I’m sure we they weren’t supposed to be doing that… and my oldest with a swan neck gourd. Okay, I made that name up… but that’s what it looks like to me. {wink}

Although this year’s event in Columbus is over, there is another one in Atlanta next month if you’re nearby. And if you’re thinking about it, take a video tour of the Columbus Fair with Sarah to see what the 2011 Country Living Fair is all about. And if you get to go, I’d love to hear about it!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

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robot party… still processing

As you know, I hosted my son’s Robot birthday party this weekend. Well, let me tell you that it didn’t go quite as I had planned. I can laugh about it now, but in the moment… WOW. I had it all together. It was colorful. It was fun. I had activities. We had the backyard decorated and the new tree house ready. I was excited. My sons were excited. Then the storm hit. Yep. A big one with thunder and lightening and LOTS of wind. Oh yeah.

There is much to tell and many pics to show (thank goodness I captured some before the monsoon), but for now I’m still processing…

However, I will tell you that the kids had an absolute blast. The volume level in my house could attest to that fact. I even had one mom, an animated friend of mine, tell me her son claimed it was the best birthday party ever. It just reaffirms that even when things don’t go as planned, if the little people have fun and your child comes away smiling, then the party was a success.

Much more about the things that didn’t turn out right and about all the things that did. For now, Happy Wednesday!

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first day of school jitters

So you guys know that I’ve been having a bit of anxiety about the first day of school. He hasn’t. I have.

Well this morning I packed him up and took him to first grade. I felt like I was giving away my first born. Doesn’t he look so grown up?! I’m so very proud of him. He handled it very well and gave me a simple wave when all the parents were leaving. And now I’m anxiously waiting to hear the “details” when I pick him up this afternoon. This day is sooooo long!

I just pray it all went well and he loved it. And thank goodness preschool doesn’t start back for another two weeks. I don’t think I could do this twice in one day.

Oh, and I was right to obsess over the lunch box. It was ALL about the lunch box this morning. At least with the boys it was. That was the first thing they all shared with each other! And by the way, we went with the Pottery Barn Kids gray dinosaur camoflage lunch box with the hot/cold thermos… which will likely always carry some type of fruit, like melon or apples. He won’t eat them unless they’re cold. {smirk}

I hope all of you are having a fabulous back to school season and don’t forget to download your lunch box notes if you’ve not already!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

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take a hike

I have a million things to do, but it’s a lovely day and I’m taking the afternoon with my boys. This was us on a hike yesterday afternoon in a beautiful forest near our home. We had so much fun, I want a repeat. And with the end of summer creeping up on us, I’m just not willing to wait. 

I hope you all have a beautiful and blessed weekend. See you back here Monday with a ton of new ideas and the biggest FREEBIE I’ve ever given away!

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off to a shoot this morning

Good morning everyone! The team is off to a beautiful farm this morning to shoot two new fall collections. And although I can’t share the details just yet, I thought I would leave you with a shot of my youngest son’s recent pirate birthday.

He loves Disney’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates and insisted that his photo prop say “Yo Ho, Let’s Go!” (Sorry moms. This one won’t be in the shoppe with the other photo props since this phrase is TM by Disney. But there will be several other fun ones!) And I thought it very appropriate for us this morning as we pack up the studio and head out.

Much more to come on his pirate party, the recent Splash Bash & Deep Blue Sea shoot I shared a peek of yesterday and everything we’re doing today.

Happy Tuesday!

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