In like a lion...

Six inches of snow in Greenville - I've never seen such! What a winter wonderland! (Coupled with crazy drivers, closed businesses and gray, slushy streets. But let's focus on the positive, shall we?)

Style isn't exactly a priority on snow days, but I hope I was able to stay (relatively) cute while avoiding hypothermia. It took some effort, but I enjoyed wrapping myself up in bright colors on such a dreary day.

Around my neck:

I wear scarves most days anyway - didn't I tell you it's the year of the scarf? Inside or out, these babies keep me toasty warm despite my year-round tendency to sport goosebumps and chattering teeth. I'm such a trendsetter...

On my back:

My vest is a bit more orange than this, so Bradley likes to ask if I'm a) going for a swim and need a lifejacket or b) I plan to eat lunch with the rest of the chain gang.
Bright, puffy and warm = a winner to me, though!

In my ears:

(These didn't keep me warm, per se - I just felt they had to be included in the mix!)

On my arm:

A fun Christmas gift, this bag is waterproof and plenty big enough to hold my giant clutch wallet, ridiculous number of lip glosses and even the "cute indoor shoes" I packed and never wore!

On my feet:

I read once that patterned wellies "infantilize" one's feet, but I disagree. My navy pair with cute hound dogs on them are barely noticeable with jeans on - I think one sly dog slips out at the toes. The only boots I have with a good grip, these got me to lunch and back with nary a slip 'n slide!

At my rescue:

Bradley and his noble truck/steed, driving me into the office. And picking up a friend on the way. Steep driveways covered in ice are nothing to fool around with, to be sure. I could get used to this truck and driver mode of transportation!

Hope y'all are safe and warm today!! Stay bundled up - unless you're sweet Kristen, who loves to tout her year-round springtime weather. Such are the benefits of living in Florida, I suppose. While I can handle snow once a year, I'm very much looking forward to the end of March. It's going to go out like a lamb, I just know it. Hurry, spring!

You-a-palooza

Many, many years ago, long before the invention of the iPod, friends would make one another mix tapes (and then CDs) to share their love, devotion and all-around good taste in music.

Around the same time, Ozzfest, Lollapalooza, Woodstock reunions, Lilith Fairs and other giant-sized (read: sticky, sweaty, crowded, overpriced but fabulous) outdoor music festivals allowed people to hear several of their favorite bands at once.

Bradley and I are currently holed up, cozy and happy, awaiting the absolutely-happening-it's-a-sure-thing Blizzard of 2009. This leaves me lots of time to blog-browse and let my mind wander.

I never attended a Lilith Fair but, trust me, I was tempted. If I could create my own outdoor music festival, though, it would be a week-long affair of sheer musical joy. (For me, that is.)

I'm going to have to think about this a bit more, but here is the rough draft of my Anne-a-palooza. I'm dying to hear yours! (Living artists are best, but I suppose we could bend the rules if you have one late, great artist you're dying to hear at your festival. It is, after all, a you-a-palooza.)

Stage 1 - Calming Classics: James Taylor, Van Morrison, Allman Brothers

Stage 2 - Ladies I Loved in the 90s: Lisa Loeb, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Jewel

Stage 3 - Boys with Guitars: John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Marc Broussard, Keane, Ray LaMontagne

Stage 4 - Just Dave: DMB. Obviously. You didn't think 16-year-old Anne would buy a week-long music pass and not sit in front of the Dave stage the whole time, did you? Okay, then. Ben Harper can come too.

Stage 5 - Shower, Extensions and Fake Tan Required: Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Beyonce

Stage 6 - Country Cuties: Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Sugarland

Note: U2 and Coldplay were out of Anne-a-palooza's price range...

I'm dying to hear your suggestions. (And also - don't you wish grown ups got snow days?)

And we're back!

I promise to make my sincerest apologies and lots of excuses later. It's been way too long, lovelies, and I'm absolutely dying to hear what you've been up to. I haven't been blogging, I haven't been reading; I'm totally removed from what's going on with y'all!

Expect details tonight and a back-to-Anne schedule starting tomorrow. :) I'm sure everyone can survive without me, but I miss our chats!!

To jump start things, I have to tell you that I dread formal photos. The only photographs I've ever truly loved of myself were from my wedding day. And how can anyone be that happy and not look great?

That being said, it's unfathomable to me how much pressure I'd feel if I were taking a portrait the world would be looking at for centuries to come. Take a peek below and see what you think.

Double-stranded pearls, a simple black dress, evidence of push-ups by the thousands. What I see is timeless.

There is an argument that the bare arms might not be entirely appropriate for a portrait this formal, but if I had those arms I'd be waving them all over America year-round. Perhaps a well-draped pashmina could have done the trick?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts! I don't talk politics, but I do love fashion - so get to chatting!!

So happy to be back,
A.

Choose Joy

I saw this earlier today and it spoke to me at just the right moment. It says "God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him. Choose joy." I love it!

My Dream Spring Wardrobe

Cynthia Steffe

Alice + Olivia

Shoshanna

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

Banana Republic

Banana Republic

Gap

J. Crew

Boden

Boden

J. Crew

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer

Just because I'm not clicking "buy" doesn't mean I've stopped browsing!

So far, so good...

You may know by now that I am very anti-New Year's resolutions. While I adore the idea of a clean slate, a fresh start and a reason to get motivated, I hate the "let's overhaul everything immediately" urgency that seems to come with the territory.

That being said, B and I have made a very conscientious effort to step up our game in terms of exercising, recognizing the genius of the Food Pyramid, sleeping plenty (never my problem, of course) and staying hydrated as much as possible.

My trick? A cute bright blue water bottle that holds 32 ounces. Two those per work day and I'm set! I bribe myself by figuratively dangling a Diet Coke at the bottom of that good morning bottle of H2O. I'll do anything for that bubbly goodness...including downing a whole bunch of water first!

So in the name of accountability, and the hope that public shaming and/or support will keep me moving in the right direction, here's what's going well - and could use a bit of stepping up.

Yay:
*I'm drinking lots o' water.
*I'm getting plenty of sleep. (It's probably not fair to list this, as it's hardly ever NOT the case.)
*I'm taking a fabulous new weight lifting class on a regular basis.
*I'm cooking more, steaming vegetables and buying lots of fresh foods.
*We signed up for Mint.com and my days of shopping online willy-nilly (stupid click click clicking - feels so easy!) are over. Lots more thought is going into it. Not entirely my choice, but the computer doesn't lie!


Eh:
*As a cheese-hater, I need to make eating yogurt a habit. Every day. It's in the fridge for good reason, self. Let's get to grabbing it!
*Bradley and I are supposed to be running a 5k the first Saturday in March. (There's also a 10k option but I'm not going to push my luck.) While I've been lifting regularly, I've been avoiding the treadmill and need to do some cardio several times a week.
*My housekeeping skills are becoming a bit questionable. While the sheets are always clean and nothing's ever moldy by any means, I need to make a habit of sweeping, Swiffering and wiping things down more regularly. Blech, I hate cleaning.

Did you have any New Year's (non-)resolutions? How are they going?

Lilly P stationery giveaway!!

Okay, y'all. Calm yourselves. If you love the art of letter-writing, collecting fun Lilly patterns and getting things for free, you need to scoot on over to Misadventures of a Newlywed right away. She's giving away a set of the stationery listed above and you should definitely put your name in the hat!

I love the Patchtastic pattern on the left, but the Lillywood design at right is also adorable. Can't wait to start sending these pretty papers off to y'all in the mail... (When I buy a set, that is. Y'all know I never win anything but talk-offs!)

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!