Reunited! And It Feels So Good!

They have arrived!  Lou, T and Shaan made it to Lexington safe and sound yesterday evening...barely beating the snow storm.  It is a wonderful reunion (I may or may not have squealed a couple of times) and I really don't think it's possible for me to be more excited than I am at this very moment!!! 

After Mr. D and I got home from work we had a couple of hours to kill before they arrived and the waiting was killing us so we had to occupy our time. 

Our first stop was the liquor store where I bought my favorite, champagne...and found some caramel flavor alcohol infused whip cream!  Mmmm. (not to be consumed together, obvs.)

Then we came home to get the house ready for the arrival of our company.

I baked a cake...

While Mr. D built a fire...

And Lou showed up wearing his I heart Kentucky t-shirt! 

(WHY did I not take a pic of ALL of us last night?)

We have big plans today...a tour of Woodford Reserve Distillery (Lou & T's favorite), lunch at Wallace Station in Midway and then off to go see the stallions at Three Chimney's Farm (and hopefully some of the new babies there too). 

What do y'all have planned for this weekend?  I hope you spend yours surrounded by the people you love and hold dear to your heart...because that's what I'll be doing this weekend.  :)  :)  :)

xoxo,

Mrs. D

Recent Fashion Scores

I finally put a few of my Christmas gift certificates to good use (I usually tend to hoard them all and save them for months and months because I don't want to spend them yet) and picked up a few new pretties.  BONUS: ALL of it was on SALE!  :) 

We've been attending a lot of formal functions lately and I'm always carrying the same bag...until now.
Thanks.  BIG THANKS to Kate Spade for finally putting the Luralee sequin cocktail bag on sale!  (And not to mention all items listed on the sale were an additional 25% the lowest price and free shipping...major bonus!)  It's super cute, colorful and can be worn in all four seasons.  Perfect for a formal function or night on the town. 

Now I just an excuse to carry it!  (Hint, hint, Mr. D.)

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better...I was perusing AJ's, one of my favorite Lexington boutiques, and found this royal blue (perfect for Florida & Kentucky games!) coat on the sale rack...in my size!  Then I remembered the gift card my Mamaw had given me for Christmas and I was sold.  Whoo hoo! 

Nanette Lepore Majorelle coat in royal blue.

Thanks Kate Spade & Nanette Lepore for keeping this lady looking stylish...even during a recession.  :)

Have y'all found some good deals out there you'd like to share?  I love designer duds just as much as the next gal...except I like to know I purchased mine for a fraction of the retail price.  Any other bargain shoppers out there? 

xoxo,
Mrs. D

A Three Chatchi's Reunion!

During the summer of 2001 I traveled to Cambridge University in England for a summer semester abroad.  I had just turned 19 and I left my friends and family behind to travel out of the country for the first time - by myself.  There was a large group of us traveling from Florida, however; I didn't know any of the other students going with the group. 

When we all had to stand up and introduce ourselves there were two students in particular I just knew I was going to hate would not get along with.  One was sitting directly behind me with his Mom and he was freaking out (quite loudly) because there wasn't going to be a TV in his room while at Cambridge.  For this exercise we will call him Mr. Obnoxious.  There was another guy sitting across the room and during his introduction he made sure to tell us ALL about his amazing photography skills and love for working out.  We will call him Mr. Arrogant. 

Lets just say first impression's can be deceiving.  By the end of our first week in Cambridge Mr. Obnoxious and Mr. Arrogant were two of my very best friends...and the way I feel about these two guys has not changed over the last ten years (wow - has it really been that long since fate brought us all together that summer?)

T & Lou on the Selwyn lawn at Cambridge.

Lou & me on the Selwyn lawn at Cambridge.

Mr. Obnoxious, aka Lou, lives in Florida so we see him pretty much every night when we're there.  He also tries to visit us in Lexington quite a bit each year.  Over the years Lou went from being one of my best friends...to being one of Mr. D's best friends too.  Even though they gang up and out number me sometimes, I love how close Mr. D and Lou are.  In 2009 Lou was a Groomsman in our wedding and it meant so much to me and Mr. D to have him up there standing with us and supporting us.  My family considers Lou to be part of our family...and I think of his Mom like family (I even call her "Mom" sometimes).

Mr. Arrogant, aka T, moved from Florida to Philadelphia to England and unfortunately I don't get to see him as often as I would like.  Although, he does write an amazing foodie blog, which I follow and encourage you to check out.  Sadly, it's been almost five years since I have seen T and the last time the three of us were ALL together was spring of 2006.

2007: Lou visits us in Kentucky for the first time.

Mr. D & Lou before our wedding June 6, 2009.

Sharing a dance with my Lou at the reception.

T (modeling my tank top) and me at Cambridge.

T & me in Florida, 2003.  Haha - we look like little kids!

All of this is about to change....TOMORROW!!!  AHHHHHHHHHH!  I am so excited I can barely function right now.  Tomorrow afternoon Lou, T and his beautiful wife, Shaan (side note - I am SO excited to finally meet Shaan!!!), will all be coming to stay with Mr. D and I for the weekend!!!!!!!  That's right!  The Three Chatchi's will finally be reunited!!!  (Can you hear that?  I believe it's the hallelujah chorus playing faintly in the distance.)  In case you haven't already gotten the memo...I AM VERY EXCITED!!!  This will be T and Shaan's first trip to the bluegrass and Mr. D, Lou and I will be playing tour guide.  I know when Sunday comes I really won't want the weekend to end (and knowing me I may even shed a tear or two).  In fact, I'm considering not sleeping the whole time they're here just so I can soak up all the time I can with my friends. 

The Three Chatchi's.

Lou, me & T circa 2003 in Florida.

(Mr. Obnoxious, Lady Smirnoff & Mr. Arrogant)

Those two guys I thought I was going to hate?  Turns out the only thing I hate is being without them. 


xoxo,
Mrs. D
(Formerly known as Lady Smirnoff of Selwyn)

My Plans For 2011

I know I'm a couple of weeks late on this post...but y'all know how us southern gals like to be fashionably late.  :)  Anyway,  I just thought I would take a few minutes to fill you in on my plans for the year.  

• Cook 1 new dinner every month.  Start to finish.  Including dessert (which knowing me will always be cake of some kind).
• Start (or join) a Book Club.  Read more.

• Be a better wife to my husband, sister to my sisters, daughter to my parents, friend to my friends, etc.  
• Travel to at least 1 new place with Mr. D.

• Be more spontaneous, generous, friendly and romantic.  
• Go to Church more.
• Stay up later and sleep in less. 

• Take McGruff on more walks.  He loves them and we don't do it nearly enough.  
• Spend more time visiting with family, hanging out with friends and going on dates with Mr. D...and less time 'sitting around' because we can't thing of anything to do.  

• Explore new areas of the bluegrass state and other parts of the southeast.  
• Learn how to...knit from my Mom, make chicken and dumplins from my Mamaw and can from my Nanny.
• Write more letters and fewer emails. 

• Learn to use my camera and take better photos. 
• Smile at strangers more often.  
• Be a better, healthier and happier me!

How have you been doing with your goals/plans/resolutions for the new year?  

xoxo,

Mrs. D

Golden Globe Fashion

Did y'all watch the Golden Globes last night?  I must say it's probably my favorite award show of the year.  I know winning an Oscar is more prestigious, but I love the Golden Globes because the awards are for both television and cinema.  But forget the awards last night...I love the fashion!!!  There were several BIG HITS for me last night. 

Anne Hathaway looked showstopping in her sparkling, backless Armani gown.

(Then again, does she ever get it wrong?)

January Jones looked glam & sexy in Versace.

Angelina scored a hit in this classic, emerald green Versace gown.

Pleasantly surprised by Emma Stone in this timeless Calvin Klein.

(Sometimes, less really is more & this is a perfect example.  Also digging her blond hair.)

Carrie Underwood looked elegant in Badgley Mischka.

My FAVORITE of the night was definitely Eva Longoria!  Her black dress was perfect for her rockin' body and completely stole the show!!! 

Stunning!

Eva looked amazing in Zac Posen. 

If I looked like this I would wear this dress & never take it off!

There were definitely some big mistakes last night too.  What were Halle Berry and Helena Bonham Carter thinking?  I was also surprised by the choices of Sandra Bullock and Natalie Portman...I had much higher expectations for the two of them. 

Halle Berry looked awful in Nina Ricci.

I typically think she dresses too young for her age & this dress is another example.

I have no words for Helena Bonham Carter in Vivienne Westwood & mismatched shoes.

I hate to see Sandra on this list.  She disappointed me in this Jenny Packham.

Although, I think it was more the combo of her hair & bangs with the nude/sheer color of the dress.

What was Natalie thinking? 

The Viktor & Rolf satin toga with red rose applique was a big fail for me.

Who were your fashion favorites last night? 

And in case you're wondering...I'm still dreaming about the gorgeous Zac Posen worn by Eva Longoria last night.  There was nothing little about that black dress and I wish it were hanging in my closet.

xoxo,

Mrs. D