About Me

I Neglected to Mention…

by KT on April 24, 2012

Yesterday when I talked about my shopping trip to several boutiques & the mall on Saturday I neglected to mention that my hunt for the perfect rehearsal dinner dress was cut short.  Why was it cut short you ask?  Well, I’m a klutz. 

At brunch with all those lovely ladies I had a cup of coffee, a double mimosa (it’s cheaper that way…), and a glass of water.  By the time I got to the mall I need to visit the little ladies room.  So, after a quick in Sephora I walked down to the ladies room.  Now, we have a pretty nice mall & the bathrooms are nice too.  They have marble floors & real wood doors.  They don’t have the standard metal partition.

So, I stroll down the marble hallway in my jack rogers & turn the corner to the hallway with the stalls.  It was there  that things went south.  There was some water (I hope) on the floor.  I slipped on this water & flew face first into the wooden door jam.  

I was shaken & basically knocked out.  That thing happened where everything goes black & then yellow.  I shut myself in the stall out of embarrassment, but luckily no one saw me.  After that “backout” sensation went away the tears started flowing from the pain.  My face was throbbing & my ankle was twisted.  After a few minutes I collected myself & went to wash my hands.  I had a huge goose egg on my forehead.

The rest of the afternoon is a blur.  I realized when I was walking in circles at Anthropologie (a store I NEVER go in) that I needed to get out of the mall.  I knew my mom was at her office which is around the corner so I drove over there.  After some ice on my forehead & sitting a few minutes I felt well enough to go home.

That was Saturday & today is Tuesday.  My ankle is still swollen, the goose egg is still there, but now it is black & blue, and it still hurts my jaw to chew.  

The funny thing about this whole (way too long) story is that this type of thing happens to me ALL THE TIME.   No one has ever nicknamed me Grace.

 



{ 10 comments }

Refreshing Weekend

by KT on April 23, 2012

I almost left town on Friday after work to go see my nephew, but I decided I needed to stay in town & get a few things done.  I ended up having such a nice weekend.  While I’m sad that I didn’t get some QT with my favorite little guy I think my body is glad I stayed in town.

Friday night REF & I went to watch The Bobcats play the Memphis Grizzles.  We used my company’s corporate tickets and parking pass.  The seats and service are great, but The Bobcats are working hard on becoming the worst NBA team in HISTORY!  Our seats are directly behind the bench (where the owner, Michael Jordan, sits) & so we could hear everything the players and coaches were saying.  It was hard to watch them trying so hard, but still come out losers.  It still was a fun night & I recommend going to a game if you’re in town.  

On Saturday morning I went to meet a group of blog/twitter friends.   Christian was in town from Memphis & so we all decided to meet up at Pewter Rose to welcome her to Charlotte!  In the picture above… From L to R you have Lauren, Adelaide, Christian, April, me & Annie.  We were surrounded on both sides by bridal parties which was pretty fun!  

Thanks for putting this together, April!  It was so nice to brunch with you ladies!

After brunch I headed out to do some shopping for the weekend.  REF & I are heading out in a couple days to Kiawah Island, SC for my college roomie’s wedding.   We’ll be staying here at the Cassique Club Cottages with other members of the The cottages come with bikes & porches.  I’m looking forward to early morning rides & afternoon cocktails on the porch!  REF’s going to do a little golfing while I’m doing bridesmaids stuff so I think we’ll both be happy campers by the end of the weekend!

I ordered this Elizabeth McKay dress from Rue La La in spicy orange on April 12.  I thought that I would wear it to the rehearsal dinner.  Unfortunately, it STILL hasn’t shipped.  So, I’m on to plan B.  What is plan B?  Well, I haven’t figured that out yet.  I searched high & low this weekend to find a suitable dress that fulfills my requirements of being a classic design with a little fun, having both sleeves & structure, and is long enough that I can sit down & not be worried that I’m showing too much leg.  Everything I tried on was too slinky or too short.

Hopefully I can find something by Wednesday.  If not, I’ll be shopping my closet!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

 

 



{ 5 comments }

Admitting it is the First Step

by KT on April 20, 2012

A couple of weeks ago REF was heading to Chicago for work.  Being the control freak amazing wife that I am I wanted to help him pack.  When I got his suitcase out of the guest room closet I realized that I had a more serious problem than my issues to control my husband’s packing.

The issue?  My love of totes.

I pulled all of my bags out and put them on our bed.  Then I called REF into the room & asked him if he thought I had a problem?  Obviously, he rolled his eyes, as I’m sure you are right now.  I didn’t realize that my collection had become this large.  

The thing is that they all are special to me & they all serve a purpose.

In the top picture: The black Herve Chapelier bag in my parents gave me when I graduated from college.  The green copycat that is monogrammed behind the black bag I received as a bridesmaids gift from a dear friend.  I use both of these when I do a weekend travel to carry my toiletries since they both have zipper tops.

In the second picture: The pink boat & tote with the circle monogram is from my pink swap partner, EAS. It is my newest bag & I’ve been using it this spring as an everyday bag.  Behind that the green boat & tote with the block monogram was a bridesmaids gift from a college roommate.  It is the perfect shade green for me! The navy boat & tote was my first & is probably my favorite.  It still has my original (non-married) monogram & it is the largest.  My grandmother gave it to me when I was in high school.  I have used it for basically every beach trip I’ve taken as an adult. In the foreground is my Vineyard Vines patchwork bag.     I got this bag in Charleston with my friend after a girls weekend.  It has a zipper top & tons of pockets inside.  I use this in the summer as my work bag.  The black & white bag was a gift from all of my bridesmaids during my bachelorette party.  It has my married monogram & I brought it on my honeymoon! The pink & green Emilie Sloan  bag was the first married birthday present that REF bought me.  It is totally me & is a nylon type material so if something spills in it the bag isn’t ruined.

Finally my black Longchamp .  I have several Longchamp purses, but this is my only Longchamp tote.  My girlfriend, MTV, bought this for me back in fall & I’ve been obsessed with it ever since.  I have used it to travel (zip top), for my work bag, as a purse & I’ve even tried putting Winston in it.  He does not feel the same way about that I do.  Long story short…I love this bag.

I don’t have a purse or shoe obsession so I’m semi okay that I have this weird bag obsession.   I love giving the giant, zip top, boat & totes as baby gifts (a tip I learned from my friend KDT) & I think the medium size boat & totes are FANTASTIC bridesmaids gifts.  The other bags are just a bonus in my opinion! 

What’s your obsession?



{ 10 comments }

A Tuesday Brain Dump

by KT on March 27, 2012

I had a busy, but very fun weekend that I’m still recovering from so I thought I’d do a little brain dump for today.

  • My best friend since 5th grade celebrated her 30th birthday this past weekend.  When I step outside of the moment it is so surreal that I’ve known someone that isn’t family for that long.  When I’m in the moment it seems perfectly normal.
  • REF travels to Chicago on Thursday & Friday for work.  I really wanted to go with him, but it is  kind of last minute trip & flights were the cost of a kidney on the black market.  Maybe next time.
  • I miss college when you got a spring break.  Seeing my cousins post about it makes me really wish I were still in High School or College.
  • At the 30th birthday party we did marathon, all day & all night, drinking.  I think I did it better Saturday night then I ever did when I was in college.  The next day, however, I was so sore.  It felt like I had been doing squats the entire night before.  I’m old.
  • My nephew will be 6 months old in a couple of days.  I can’t believe how quickly time passes.
  • I absolutely love the Lilly Pulitzer spring line.  I had sort of broken up with Lilly a few years ago, but I think we might start seeing each other again this year.
  • My workout program to get in shape for that April wedding is coming along nicely.  I’ve seen a little improvement in my arms, but I decided I’m DEFINITELY getting a spray tan.
  • REF’s niece is going this summer to the summer camp where I went my whole childhood & where REF & I met.   I’m insanely jealous of the fun time she’s going to have.  I’m equally nervous that she won’t love it as much as I want her to.
  • REF & I went to see the Hunger Games this Friday.  I loved the movie.  I don’t understand why some die hard fans were upset they didn’t go into more detail on stuff.  Listen up haters, if they had done that the movie would have been 3000 minutes long.
  • Also, I don’t really know how you would understand what was going on in the movie if you didn’t read the books.  
  • I get irritated when Pandora asks me if I’m still listening.  That happened twice while writing this post.

Happy Tuesday!



{ 6 comments }

Happy Friday!

by KT on March 23, 2012

From Google Images

May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor!

 

 



{ 0 comments }

Quirks

by KT on March 20, 2012

Quirks, we all have them.  Some of them are cute, some are annoying, some are noticeable only to our loved ones.   Some may only be noticeable to our coworkers since they are with us sometimes more then our actual loved ones.  Good or bad we all have little ticks, isms, habits, etc.

Before I got married I knew I had some…let’s call them habits.  I’m anal  type A.  I grew up with parents who expected a clean room, clean car, clean house.  I like order & so having all of those spaces in my life clean caused me to have a clear mind.  I remember getting frustrated when my notes in school didn’t look neat or organized.  It caused me a lot of anguish over the years.  You can stop laughing now.  

When I went to college I was probably the worst roommate known to man, because I just thought everyone made their bed daily or at least before they got in them to go to bed.  Or perhaps when guests came to your dorm room you’d want it to look neat & tidy.  Imagine my horror to find out this was not the case.  Living on the sorority hall didn’t make things any easier.  Just because someone is in a sorority does not a neat freak make.   Senior year when a group of us moved into an apartment off campus I was constantly running the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, vacuuming the carpet.  I may or may not have been difficult to live with that year.

As an “adult” with an adult condo & and an adult job I calmed down a little bit, but not too much.  Luckily, I had the pleasure of living with a former college roommate who was always sweet enough to overlook my quirks.  Both of us traveled extensively for work & so when we got home if common areas were clean that was all that mattered.  

On my first official date with REF his car & swanky uptown town home were immaculate.  I so relieved to have met someone who shared my crazy  thoughts on cleanliness.  It wasn’t until we had been dating for several months that I realized this initial car/home cleanliness was a rouse to impress me.  Obviously, it worked.

REF & I spent a lot of time together before we got married, but we didn’t live together.  Once we were married & I moved into REF’s home he tried really hard to make it feel like our home.  He didn’t want me to feel like a guest.  After a few months of living together each other’s QUIRKS came more present.  

We often say that REF is the king of wounded soldiers. I think this is some frat boy saying for when  you open a beer & don’t finish it , but in our house it just means that at any point in time he has 238,789,526 cups, glasses or mugs with water, lemonade, coffee, etc. in them.   I also realized that I had some BAD HABITS quirks of my own.  I’ve never been a fan of wearing shoes.  I like them & think they are pretty, but I want to take them off the second I get in the house.  This means that at any given moment I have 236 pairs of shoes throughout the house.  I also have had  a bad habit of putting dry cleaning only clothes in the regular laundry basket.  While I sorted my laundry, REF did not The first time I said goodbye to my beloved winter white wool skirt… Lesson Learned.

Over our 3 and 3 quarters years of marriage we’ve both learned to help our marriage by watching out for these quirks.  REF’s really awesome at making the bed the correct way  way I like it & I’ve learned to relax about some things.  I had to understand that the world wasn’t going to end if we didn’t clean up before bed after a party or if REF needed 3,589 cups next to bed that was okay.   I also driven in REF’s car in over a year.  It’s all about balance & compromise.  It’s also another reason why I’m mowing the lawn.  We both understand that I would want it done a particular way & to avoid an unnecessary fight I should just do it myself.  ;)

Do you have an quirks?  Have they changed over the years?   

 

 



{ 3 comments }

Eleven for Eleven from Blair’s Head Band

by KT on March 15, 2012

I can’t tell you how flattered I was to be tagged by Blair’s Head Band for this 11 question post!  Not only is Blair’s Head Band a seriously cute blog, she’s wicked smart (she’s originally from Boston, so I can say wicked) & she’s hilarious.  I’ve also never been tagged for one of these blogger deals so I’m excited to participate.

 Here are the rules:
•You must post the rules.
•Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
•Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
•Let them know you have tagged them

1. If you had been born a boy, do you know what your parents planned on naming you?

My parents were going to name both my sister and me, Baked Bean Bender, if we were boys.  Just kidding!  That’s what they joked that the were going to call us.  Our last name is Bender, but  still…  Actually, my mom claims she has no idea what my boy name would have been.

2. What’s your favorite book of all time?

Gosh, I’m not really sure I can pick a favorite.  Maybe All Quiet on The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque or Angela’s Ashes  by Frank McCourt .  There have really been few books that I did NOT like.  

3. If you could have lunch with one celebrity, who would it be and why?

Diane Keaton.  I fell in love with her when I was little & watched Baby Boom.  From that point on I’ve had an obsession with her.  I think she’s a wonderful actor & for some reason she reminds me of my mom.

4. What do you do for work, if you’re not interested in sharing on the internets, what is the industry in which you work?

I work in insurance sales.  It’s not terribly glamorous, but it pays the bills.

5. Did you go Greek in college?  If so, what house?

First, Finest, Forever: Alpha Delta Pi (another reason I love BHB)

6. Sweet or Salty

SALTY, SALTY, SALTY!!  I don’t have a sweet tooth, at all.

7. Do you prefer to make a phone call or send a text?

It depends on the person and the situation, but most of the time I like to SPEAK to someone.

8. Favorite Flower

Always & forever a tulip.

9. A Princess Z inspired question…Did you have an American Girl doll as a child?

Sadly, I’m just a little  too old for the American Girl dolls.  They came out when I was just about growing out of dolls, but my next door neighbor had Samantha & I coveted it so much!  When REF’s niece was going through her American Girl doll phase I LOVED getting the catalog.

10. What are your favorite white wine & favorite red wine varietals? 

I don’t LOVE white wine, but when the weather is nice I’ll drink a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.  Now, I LOVE red wine.  Pinot Noir, Melbec, Cabernet… I don’t discriminate. 

11. Favorite Quote

“Eat well, Drink well, and do all things in moderation.” -My Grandpa Bender

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are the bloggers that I’m tagging:

1. April from A.Liz Adventures

2. Annie from Classic Annie

3. Rachel from In No Simple Language

4. Melissa from The View From Five Two

5. April from You, Me & The Kid

6. EAS from Who’s Excited

7. Emily from Life with Emily

8.  Michelle from Stuttering Shell

9. Michelle from Aww Shucks – Diary of a Mrs.

10. Christin from A Classy, Southern Wife

11. Kourtney from The Queen’s Kourt

Okay, here are my questions…..

  1. Where were you born?
  2. What irrational fear do you have?
  3. Where’s 1 place you hope to travel before you die?
  4. What’s your favorite summer cocktail?
  5. Fine Dining or Casual Dining?
  6. Did you go to summer camp as a kid?
  7. Favorite comfort food?
  8. Do you have any siblings?  If so, how many?
  9. Coffee or Tea?
  10. Friends character you’re most alike?
  11. What’s the first concert you ever saw?

Here are the answers to my questions…

  1. Pittsburgh, PA
  2. I’m afraid of someone hiding under my bed at night so I basically jump in & out of the bed.
  3. Machu Picchu 
  4. Vodka Tonic or Greyhound
  5. Casual Dining, outside.
  6. Yep, Summer’s Best Two Weeks, 1 year (hated it) & Camp Cheerio, 12 years (loved it)
  7. Grilled Cheese
  8. 1 older sister
  9. COFFEE
  10. Monica, I’m type A.
  11. Paul McCartney when I was in 6th grade

 

 

 



{ 2 comments }

Get in Shape, Girl!

by KT on February 29, 2012

Thanks for all your sweet words, emails, etc. about my post yesterday.  I really appreciate it.

 

Do y’all remember one of the best 80′s girl toys of all time, Get in Shape, Girl?

From Google Images

Basically, it was a series of exercise tapes.  Now that I think about it they probably caused some self esteem problems in young girls.  I on the other hand LOVED this toy.  My parents used to have to get me a present on my sister’s birthday, because I was brat about her getting attention.  Sheesh.  My sister and I are hazy on who had what, but we are pretty sure between the two of us we had the boombox, ribbon (for ribbon dancing, oh yea),  weights & possibly the balance beam.  This was basically the best thing ever for my spastic self.

In case you need a memory jog on what this amazing toy is I found this YouTube video of a commerical:

Get in Shape, Girl commerical

So, what does this little trip down memory lane have to do with today’s post?  Well, I have exactly two months to get in shape for this bridesmaid’s dress.

From: www.jessicamcclintock.com

The actual dress is in black, but for some reason the website doesn’t have a picture of black dress.  Anyhow, I don’t typically wear strapless.  In fact, it is save to say that I never wear strapless.  I once owned a strapless top that I wore a total of 3 times back in 2004, but other then that – nada.  This dress, however, is actually quite flattering.  It isn’t so chesty.  I will definitely need a spray tan,  but the main thing that I want to work on are my FLABBY arms.  My arms just really aren’t the most flattering part of my body.  Normally I’m not that worried about what I look like, but this bride has some of the most beautiful friends you’ve ever seen so I don’t want to look like a troll up there. ;)

So, I’ve decided on push-ups, tricep presses and putting in some time with my 2 pound weights.  I think this combined with some yoga & power walking/running will help make some improvements to my arms in the next two months.  Side note: I think I realized this weekend that there are yoga videos on Netflix.  I am going to investigate this asap.  If this is true my evenings just got a little more zen.  

Any other suggestions that any of you lovely readers (all 3 of you) have?

 

I could really use the ribbon wand from Get in Shape, Girl though. 

 

 

 

 



{ 9 comments }

Not Feeling Like Myself

by KT on February 28, 2012

You know that saying: The Calm Before the Storm?  Well, I feel like January was the calm & February has been the storm.  There is a lot going on at home & I’ve just not quite figured out how to deal with it.

We have a lot up in the air right now & I don’t do well with that.  I’m a planner and I like to know what is going to happen next.  I’ve never liked surprises or the unknown  & that is where we are right now – the unknown.

I’ll share more when I know more & feel comfortable putting all of myself out there.  



{ 3 comments }

Wednesday Brain Dump

by KT on February 15, 2012

I’ve had a lot of random thoughts running through my head so I decided to do a little brain dump.

  1. I had a pretty bad day on Monday & was feeling particularly bad for myself on Tuesday.  I woke on Wednesday to a text from my dear friend saying her dad was in hospital.  A little perspective…
  2. I’m not really the gushy valentine’s kind of girl.  I love that some people are, but it just isn’t for me.
  3. REF loves surprising me & sent a very pretty flower arrangement to me at work.  I made him homemade chicken pot pie and homemade strawberry shortcake.  That’s just how we roll.
  4. When I eat my lunch at my desk it annoys me to no end that I continue to work
  5. Maybe I need to eat in the lunchroom.
  6. I got Winston a new bone for Valentine’s Day and he ate it before I was done prepping and cooking dinner.  Hopefully he doesn’t get sick while we’re at work today.
  7. I’m getting really excited about the wedding we’re going to in April.  It is in Kiawah and we are staying in what I hear is a beautiful villa with some other members of the wedding party.  We are going to be there Thursday – Sunday and I cannot wait for the little break.
  8. Lately I’ve felt like a friendship of mine has been somewhat one sided.  Then, I get paranoid and think that maybe she feels the same way.  
  9. A few months ago I quit the gym.  I’ve had regrets ever since.  
  10. I need to get in shape for that wedding mentioned in number 7.  Maybe I’ll rejoin the gym.
  11. I’m loving the show Smash so far.  Are you watching?  What do you think?
  12. I participated in Kappa Prep’s annual Pink Swap this year.  It was the first time that I had done anything like this with a blog and I had a lot of fun!  I had THE BEST partner .  I really enjoyed getting to know my partner, EBS, from Who’s Excited.   She sent me a pink LL Bean boat and tote with a pink circle monogram along with some other really great goodies!  SO MUCH FUN!
  13. I do not like stargazer lilies.  The smell of them really gives me a headache.  My cube mate has had them at her desk since Monday.  
  14. I had a really nice appointment at the eye doctor’s office on Monday, and I promise I’ll do a post on the results.  I just have a few questions that I’m waiting to hear the answer back on before I do a post.
  15. REF does a lot of consulting on the side & found out today that a current client is hiring him again for another project.  I’m really proud of him and how hard he works for our family.
  16. I HAVE to do our taxes, tonight.
  17. My dad gets to see my nephew Charlie today and I’m really jealous.  I’m pretty sure my mom is too.
  18. If you are watching Downton Abbey let me know, because I want to discuss.

Happy Wednesday Folks!



{ 5 comments }

← Previous Entries