Make Your List Giveaway!

"He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice...Santa Claus is coming to town!!"

Surprise Giveaway! It's Friday and December starts tomorrow! Can you believe it? A chill is in the air today in NYC and we are expecting our first snow on Sunday! Have you made your Preppy Christmas list yet? Also, don't forget to send me links to your favorite things to include in The Ultimate Preppy Christmas List (I'll be posting the list soon).

In honor of "making your list and checking it twice", my friends at Whitney English and The Paper Cafe have generously offered to give away two Whitney English clipboards with personalized note sheets to one lucky reader!

To enter, click over to The Paper Cafe website, tell us which two note sheet patterns you would choose for your clipboard, and enter your comment back here. (There are FOUR pages of fabulous choices so good luck narrowing down your pick!)

Our contest will end Sunday at 12:00pm EST and our WINNER will be chosen & announced on Monday, December 3rd.

Happy Meme Day!

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items.
You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Strawberries
2. Bakery: French Bread
3. Meat: Filet
4. Frozen: Sister Schubert's Pigs in Blanket
5. Dairy: Brie

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. My Paige Jeans
2. JCrew Cable Sweater
3. Ballet Flats

If I was to listen in on your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. Yes, Ma'am
2. Yikes
3. Excuse Me?
4. Yes, please
5. Is it 5pm yet?

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Consume 1 diet coke
2. Get on the Internet
3. Hug and kiss my husband

We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Nap
2. Lay in bed and read People and other magazines
3. Take Daisy for a walk
4. Take a Bubble Bath!!
5. Play on the Internet while watching TV

We are going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit.
What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Gorillas
2. Sea Lions
3. Polar Bears

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. Oprah
2. American Idol
3. Martha
4. Saturday Night Live

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Chocolate and Peanut Butter
2. Mint Chocolate Chip
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Kate Spade Wallet
2. Chanel and Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss
3. Kate Spade Sunglasses
4. My planner
5. Flora Bama Membership Card

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Pediatrician
2. Broadway Actress
3. Today Show Host
4. Preppy Store Owner

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?
1. It's not the end of the world to get a C
2. Losing certain friends will be REALLY good for you!
3. Relax a little bit more
4. Be nicer to everyone

A-Z Meme

A-Z Meme (sorry about the strange spacing...not sure why I can't make it work today)

A-Available or single? Married for 5 months (tomorrow)

B-Best friend? My husband
C-Cake or pie? Cake...especially cupcakes
D-Drink of choice? 1)Diet Coke 2) Good red wine 3) Margaritas 4) Fruit Punch Crystal Light

E-Essential item I use everyday? My LL Bean Tote Bag
F-Favorite colors? Pink and green
G-Gummy bears or gummy worms? Bears, Please especially Black Forest
H-Hometown? I was born in Atlanta, GA and then lived in a small town in Alabama

I-Indulgence? Mani/pedi's, shoes, and clothes
J-January or February? February. It has Valentine's Day and Mardis Gras

K-Kids and names? I don't have kids...yet. The closest I have to a kid is my golden retriever Daisy.

L-Life is not complete without...my husband family, and friends
M-Marriage date? June 30, 2007

N-Number of siblings? 1 brother and 1 sister (both younger)
O-Oranges or apples? Apples (I have acid reflux and I can't eat oranges)
P-Phobias or fears? Getting stuck in an elevator...I didn't use to be so scared of this but now that I ride them daily and I see them get stuck daily...I get especially nervous in the really old ones
Q-Favorite quote? "It's the friends that you can call at 3AM that really matter." and "Wherever you go, there you are." and "Life is not about the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away."
R-Reason to smile? I leave for Louisiana in one week for K's wedding weekend!

S-Season? Summer
T-Tag? Anyone who wants to do it!
U- Unknown fact about me? Since you haven't really seen too many pics of me...I have curly brown hair and brown eyes!

V-Vegetable you don't like? Pickles

W-Worst habit? I don't make my bed daily (I know gasp...) I always make it when company is coming and when I have enough time, but most days it doesn't get fully made. I also twist my curls when I'm bored.

Y-Your favorite food? Mexican...especially cheese dip
Z-Zodiac ? Leo the Lion

The Name Game

I stole this from Sue:

The Name Game:

10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father's middle name) Thompson George
9. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother's dad, fathers dad) John George
8. STARWARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, 2 letters of your first)Undme
7. DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, fav animal)Pink Gorilla
6. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Jane Atlanta
5. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning) The Green Margarita
4. FLY GIRL/GUY NAME: (1st 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters ofyour last name)Meod
3. GANGSTA NAME: ( fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)Peanut Butter & Chocolate White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
2. ROCK STAR NAME: (current pets name, current street name)Daisy East Number Street
1. STRIPPER NAME: ( name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)Chanel Reese Butter Cup

Thanksgiving Recap

Sorry I've been MIA this week. It has been a little bit more busy at work as my 1st event is next Wednesday. Anyways...

My family and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and I hope that all of you did as well. My parents, brother and sister arrived on Wednesday. They were pretty tired, so we just had a few drinks and they went to bed early. My husband and I met his aunt and uncle (who were also in town) and cousins here for dinner. This was my second visit (in a week) and I highly recommend it!

Thursday morning we woke up bright and early to catch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was so amazing to see the balloons in person. They are enormous! While we could not see street level very well, we had a great view of the balloons. Everyone needs to see the parade in person at least once, it is so worth it! Our Thanksgiving meal was fabulous. All of my dishes turned out great and my husband's mashed potatoes were a hit with my family. Our apartment isn't very big, but we managed quite well. Y'all would have been proud of all my new monogrammed linens set out on TV trays! I think I had a very successful first Thanksgiving as a hostess, but I have a new appreciation for all the years that my Mom has done it by herself. I was exhausted!

Friday, was VERY chilly so we really just hung around and talked and went on a few short excursions. That evening, we went to dinner at The 21 Club. It was pretty good. I had been told it is more about the atmosphere then the food, but we wanted to see for ourselves. The food was average, but the place is very unique. After dinner, our tickets to Curtains were canceled due to the stagehand strike (by the way, they are STILL striking). We were very lucky to get tickets to The Putnam County Spelling Bee, one of the only plays that is still showing on Broadway and it was HILARIOUS! It reminded me of a great Saturday Night Live skit.

On Saturday, we took a stroll with Daisy in Central Park. The leaves were stunning and the weather was crisp and clear. My Mom and sister and I went to Saks and I bought my dress. They both loved it and I'll be wearing it next weekend to one of my best friend's weddings in Louisiana. My husband and I were so impressed with our dinner a few weeks ago at Wolfgang's that we convinced my Dad we needed to go there for dinner. It was so tasty and we all drank way too much and then walked to The Mercury Bar to watch the Alabama vs Auburn game. No comment on the rest of the evening.

My family left Sunday morning and it was sad to see them go. I'll post pictures soon. I'm still waiting to find out if my husband will get any time off for Christmas so that we can travel back home to the South. We should know something soon. He is in the last part of his training before his permanent placement. For this new part he has to be AT work at 7:30am. The past few mornings have been a little too early for me. Especailly this morning...because...

I had a cry fest last night. One of my new friends and her husband (who works with my husband) are moving to Atlanta. Her husband is being transferred and they are leaving in March. I am so sad because a) I would like to move back to the South sooner rather than later and I'm really jealous and b) I really like my new friend and I'm really sad she is leaving me and c) PMS.

I'm counting down the days until my friend K's wedding. Most of our KD pledge class will be at the wedding and I am looking forward to seeing my girls. I miss them so much. I will also get to see my friend A, who is 15 weeks pregnant. I need to remember to bring her a little something. I'm so excited to finally see her! I leave next Thursday evening for Louisiana and I CAN'T wait to get out of the city. It's getting really cold here and it will be nice to be in the South.

Do y'all think I need this or this? I have a $50.00 gift certificate from our wedding and I've been saving it to get something for our apt for Christmas. Would love to hear your opinions.

Ok, back to work!

Invite Cottage EParty

Hi friends!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm hosting an eparty this week with http://www.invitecottage.com/ this week. Just enter code MRU and get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with some of their cute gifts! You get free shipping on all orders over $100. They carry monogrammed gifts, invitations, stationary, and much more. Feel free to pass this invitation on to any of your coworkers or friends.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Monogrammed Tervis Tumblers
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=TERVIS-TUMBLER-12

Acrylic Salt and Pepper Shakers
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HS-MONOGRAMMED-ACRYLIC-SALT-AND-PEPPER-SHAKERS

Gift Stickers
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GIFT-STICKER-BOATMAN-GELLER-16510

Personalized Note Pad
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=PERSONALIZED-NOTE-PADS-MARGARITA-16138BG

Monogrammed Fleece Gloves
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=IDCGLOVES

Monogrammed Cosmetic Case
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CCONTCOSBAG

Enclosure Cards
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BOATMAN-GELLER-ENCLOSURE-CARDS-16819

Acrylic Cheese and Cracker Tray
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HS-ACRYLIC-CHEESE-CRACKER-TRAY-GA171

Monogrammed Sippy Cups
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MONOGRAMMED-SIPPY-CUPS

Engraved Pacifier Clip
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HSG35B

Monogrammed Baby Bibs
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MCBIB

Monogrammed Visor
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MONOGRAMMED-VISOR

Monogrammed Umbrella
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MONOGRAMMED-UMBRELLA-PINK

Holiday Bottle Gift Tags
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GP68

Personalized Plate
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CCDINNERPLATEHOME

Monogrammed Candle
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MONOGRAMMED-CANDLE-SOLEBURY

Monogrammed Soap
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SOLEORCHARD

Personalized Coasters
http://www.invitecottage.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GP36


Happy Shopping!!

I'm Thankful

I'm Thankful for:

God and all the gifts he has bestowed on my family and me.

My family...
*My loving husband who is so patient with me and continues to make my heart flutter every time that I see him.
*My wonderful brother. He is so smart and I know he will go so far in life. We are so much alike and I wish that he would move from Atlanta to New York so that I could see him more.
*My amazing sister. She's one of my best friends and she can always make me smile. I am so proud of how far she has come and the obstacles she has jumped to get where she is today. She is so young and she will do amazing things. I can't wait to see where life takes her.
*My Mom. Oh my Mom. We almost killed each other a few times during wedding planning, but overall it just made is better friends. She is an amazing strong woman and I'm so lucky to have her. She has been so wonderful listening to me during my homesick times. She always tells me to snap out of it when I'm in one of my moods. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes. I miss her so much and I can't wait to see her this weekend!
*My Daddy. He is my hero (yeah, I'm one of those girls). He always has advice for me and he is my rock. I love our talks and I miss our boat rides. He HATES crowds, but he was the 1st one to say he would come to NYC for Thanksgiving. He's the best. He really is.
*My new family. They have been so wonderful to me already and I'm so glad to have them in my life now. I continue to enjoy learning more about each of them.
*My dog Daisy. She greets me with wide eyes and a wagging tail everyday when I come home from work. When I cry she puts her head in my lap, when I'm lonely she jumps up on my bed uninvited and rests at my feet, when I'm happy she plays with me and when I'm content...she's just there.
*My other dogs Lily and Scarlet and our cat Sam...they are all my parent's animals but I love them too and I still get lots of attention every time I walk in the front door.
*The happy memories of the family members I've lost....my Nana, both grandfathers and especially my aunt, who died 8 years ago this week. She was like a second mother to me and I miss her very much.
*And YOU...my readers! I started this blog almost a year ago and it has served as an outlet for me during my wedding planning and my big move. I am thankful that so many of you have been there for every up and down along the way. I love to write and even though I have misspellings and bad grammar, I love that you continue to come back. I love your comments and emails. I truly feel like I have a new group of friends!


And the little things that help make my life enjoyable...
*Kisses from my husband when he gets home
*Bubble baths (especially Philosophy's Cinnamon Buns)
*Hugs from friends
*Surprises
*Cupcakes
*Pretty invitations and the fun that comes with them
*Warm towels from the dryer
*DVR
*My Junior League provisional class
*Weekend trips
*Full moons
*Weddings
*Fresh flowers from my husband (you should have seen the ones he brought me last night!!)
*Cheese dip (even though I can't get it in NYC)
*Sleeping babies
*Lip Gloss (especially Bobbi Brown)
*Giving and receiving surprise cards in the mail for no particular reason
*Red wine and margaritas (especially margaritas here)
*An unexpected call from a friend
*My favorite songs playing on the radio
*Laughing
*Birthday parties!
*A great sale
*Facebook
*Mani/Pedi, especially the cheap ones in NYC
*All the great shows right now on ABC
*My black puffy coat, I don't think I could make it through the NYC winter without it
*My wedding pictures, they help me remember one of the best days of my life.
*Smiles from strangers
*Christmas Cards
*Smitty and Lawrence...the guys that take my trash out every morning and afternoon at work
*The way you feel right after you get your hair cut
*Dirty Martinis
*All of my friends that are pregnant (4 of them!!)
*Catalogues
*Google
*Carnegie Deli Cheesecake with strawberries on top
*Fresh Direct...how on earth would I carry all those groceries down the street
*Bobbi Brown Bronzer...it gives me just what I need to feel good about myself!
*Filling up a brand new calendar with bdays and events
*Stationary (especially Whitney English and The Paper Cafe who have been so sweet to me)
*Holidays...I love them all!
*Boat rides with my Dad
*Saturday mornings
*People Magazine
*Sunsets
*Blogging!
*My morning Jamaican shuttle driver, Eirle
*Calm mornings
*Balloons!! (That was one of my first words...kinda...I called them loons!!)
*My great aunt's pearls
*Tasty-D
*NYC Pizza
*Brunch
*A good book and the time to read it
*Diet Coke
*Good hair days
*Alabama Football (most of the time)
*Encouragement from someone I love
*My beautiful wedding ring and wedding band. Every time the light makes it sparkle I remember my husband's love for me and our special day.
*Christmas decorations
*Online shopping
*My sweet doormen
*My parent's beach house. It is my special place. I think my blood pressure goes down the minute I arrive. While it is still new, I already have so many wonderful memories there.
*THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

PS. I'm off for the rest of the week to enjoy my family! They arrive at 3pm today!!

Don't Forget...The Ultimate Preppy Christmas List

So...what do you want for Christmas? I'm going to attempt to put together the ultimate Preppy Christmas List. Please email me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com a link to one or more preppy items that are on your Christmas list or you can just leave a comment and I'll post them all in the ultimate Preppy Christmas List! How much fun! Stores, don't be afraid to self promote! Show us what you've got! Bonus points if you want to offer MMM readers a discount.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do!

One of my very best friends in the world just broke up with her boyfriend. They were very serious and she was pretty sure he was "the one." I'm not going to get into the whole story for her own privacy, but I want your help today in cheering her up. Please write a comment with your best breakup advice so I can pass along lots of love and good cheer to her today! Thanks for helping out!

More Thanksgiving Recipes

I made these recipes yesterday:


Cranberry and Pear Relish

From "Big Sky Cooking" by Ellen Wright and Meredith BrokawWith its cinnamon and allspice flavorings, this cranberry relish is a fine complement to the gentle pear and an excellent condiment to serve with chops, chicken, or roasts — even with scrambled eggs. And the color is a gorgeous deep burgundy that dresses up any table.

Makes 5 to 6 cups

1 (16-ounce) bag fresh cranberries, or 1 (15-ounce) can whole cranberries
1 cup water
11/2 cups sugar (1/2 cup if using canned cranberries)
3 to 4 unripe pears (Bartlett, Anjou, or Comice), peeled and diced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Rinse and pick over the fresh cranberries, discarding stems and imperfect berries.
In a large saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Add the pears and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the berries start to pop, about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice, cinnamon, and allspice. Transfer to a bowl and let cool; cover and refrigerate overnight to thicken.

And this one...
From "Camille Glenn's Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookbook" by Camille GlennOne of the glories of the fall and winter seasons in the Deep South, especially during the Christmas holiday, is pumpkin pie. When the snow covers the ground and the cold air chills our bones, what could taste better or make us feel happier than to share with friends and loved ones our favorite pies? Dress up the pie with a touch of whipped cream, if you like, but don't even forget the coffee.
Serves 8
2 cups best-quality canned puréed pumpkin
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract10-inch pie shell
2 tablespoons unsalted butterWhipped cream, for topping


1.Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2.Measure the pumpkin into a roomy bowl. Add the cream and eggs and beat thoroughly with a whisk.
3.In a small bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and spices. Toss them together well. Beat into the pumpkin mixture. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.
4.Spoon the filling into the partially baked and cooled pie shell. (See note.) Dot with the butter.
5.Place the pie on the lowest rack of the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 350° F and continue to bake the pie until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean and the crust is light golden brown, about 45 minutes.
6.Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. Pass the whipped cream separately.
Note: A partially baked crust makes for a crisper final crust than when a raw crust is used

What's for Dinner?

Let's share Thanksgiving menus! I'm guessing we all have turkey, but post a few of your other favorites or unique items on your Thanksgiving menu so we can all compare notes.

I'll start...we have:

Smoked Turkey from Mosley's (you can get an Alabama smoked Turkey here, one of my other favorites)
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Dressing (two kinds Oyster Dressing and Regular)
Cranberries (canned for my sister and homemade from a neighbor..although this year I'm going to try to make my own...how about a recipe to try)
West Indies Salad
Bing Cherry Jello Salad kinda like this but we just use the jello and cherries
Green Bean Casserole
Sometimes Sweet Potato Casserole or Squash Casserole
Hawaiian Rolls

Hope's Pumpkin Cheesecake...this year we're going to get a cheesecake from my favorite NYC spot for cheesecake...Carnegie Deli
Pumpkin Pie
B&B Pecan Pie

This year my family is coming to NYC on Wednesday! My Mom is bringing most of our Thanksgiving with her (including the Mosley's smoked turkey, west indies and B&B Pecan Pie). I'll get to have everyone at my apartment and we'll make the rest there! I am so excited! They will be here on Wednesday and we plan to catch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We have dinner here and tickets to see Curtains (if the stage hands quit their strike) and we'll fill our time exploring the city. I have Friday off from work and they will be here until Sunday! I'm so excited!!!

A Long Post in Celebration of my 300th Post!

Hello ladies! (And gents...are there any gentleman out there???) Just thought I would give you a quick update on life in the big city. I have not been as homesick this week, so that is a good thing! My husband (I still love saying that) and I had a really good weekend last weekend. As usual the highlights involve food. =) On Friday night we went here with some new friend (they are also from the South and the guy works with my husband) for a WONDERFUL dinner! The wait was a little long, but the steak was one of the best I've ever had. It was such a nice treat! On Saturday we were really craving some Southern BBQ to go with our football game (no comment) so we went here for the 2nd half of the Bama game. It's not quite as good as at home, but it is pretty close and I love all their BBQ sauces. On Sunday we met one of our other couple friends for Brunch here. It was great!

This week has been pretty uneventful. I got a few online orders...from Jcrew-I got the Italian flannel Emma dress, the black abby jacket and the Emily silk chiffon dress. I am keeping Emma and Abby, but Emily is AWFUL! It is NOT flattering. I'm really thinking about ordering the Lyndsey dress in holiday red or the Lilly Sienna dress for the rehearsal dinner. Which one do you think I would use more? PLEASE help! I just love both of them! Out of all my choices I shared before, I went to go get the Eliza J black dress and it is back ordered until Feb 15th! Did y'all all order it? Ha, Ha! OK, so forget that and on to other options...

Last night I ventured to Saks to search out some of the dresses I had seen online. I was mesmerized by the winter wonderland they have created on the ground floor. Wow! I finally made it to the dress floor and I was in heaven. I found a bunch of the dresses I had listed before a few posts ago. I tried on this one...hello potato sack! I tried on my BCBG silver lace dress. It is really pretty, but I'm not 100% sold because it is a little pricey and their are pleats right below the sash that I'm just not sure flatter my hips. It's not horrible, but not the best ever either...but the dress is so pretty in person! Also, there is another BCBG lace dress that is black and white that is not on their website and I think it might be a little more flattering. I am going to head back there on Saturday when I have a little bit more time to think. I only had twenty minutes before closing time and I was distracted by these shoes that they had set out for me to try on with my dresses. Hello lovelies! I did manage to pick up a really cute BCBG navy wrap dress for $63.00! This one is also on sale for the same price and I might have to go back and get it too! Saks still has a tone on sale right now both at the store and online. I also found this one and thought it was pretty cute. Hmm. What do y'all think? The wedding is only a few weeks away and I've got to find something soon! Suggestions appreciated.

After my shopping spree, I went over to a friend's house for her Project Runway premier party. We had a blast! She bought a case of champagne that we enjoyed while munching on a great variety of dips and cheeses. This is one of my old friends from college that lives up here and this was the first time I got to meet all her NYC friends. They were all very nice (and mostly from the South) and I really enjoyed myself. It was a nice change to have a girls night out. My husband left on a business trip to Houston last night, so I'm on my own until Friday night. I slept horribly last night! It amazes me how much I'm just used to having him there. I miss him so much and it has only been 24 hours that I haven't seen him. Pathetic, I know.

In other news, ladies we have to help out out Wendy. She writes,

"Okay, I am in a crisis!!! My husband and I always take our vacation in the fall/winter because of his business. Works for me because I have a 50% chance that I don’t have to worry about swimsuits. Fat chance (no pun intended) this year!!! Where can a 30-something preppy find a bathing suit? JCrew bikinis are too skimpy for me and I am iffy on Lilly Pulitzer’s resort bathing suits. If you have time, I appreciate any input."

Please post any ideas you have for her!

On to another subject. What do you want for Christmas? I'm going to attempt to put together the Ultimate Preppy Christmas List. Please email me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com a link to one or more preppy items that are on your Christmas list and I'll post them all in the Ultimate Preppy Christmas List! How much fun!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today!

Shopping Codes:

Kate Spade Sample Sale:
https://www.katespade.com/samples...L:11_13_07
Sale lasts Nov 13-16 and prices are up to 60% off!

http://www.anntaylor.com/
20% off
Code: 10701080
Exp 11/18

http://www.stationarystudio.com/
10% off $80.00 or more
Code: INV1007
Exp 11/18

http://www.invitecottage.com/
Save 10%
Code: Happy Holidays
Exp: 11/30

http://www.atouchofwhimsyshoppe.com/
10% off Luxe Cards
Code: Luxe10
Exp 12/15

A Few More Wedding Details...

These are some more professional pictures of details used in my wedding on June 30, 2007. All of the pictures were taken by Courtland Richards photography. Please ask permission (email me at magnoliasmarraigeandmanhattan@gmail.com) before you post the images and certainly do not copy the images unless you give Courtland credit. I hope you enjoy!

Our golf cart decorated for our get-away! My wedding coordinator took the flowers from the door of the church and used them on the golf cart. My friend S made the sign on the back of the golf cart that said "Just Married."


I love this pick of a few of my bridesmaids showing off their flip flops. I got them from Old Navy and then we decorated them with pink ribbon. I also love the wide variety of tans my girls have! =)

Our wedding huggies with our wedding logo done by I Do Originals.

Our fabulous candy bar in pink and green candies and the Love Sweet Love sign made by S.

***To see more pictures from our wedding, find the labels section on the right hand site of the page or click here for the labels for weddings or wedding accessories!***

A New Kind of Registry

Have y'all seen these registries? What do you think?

http://www.sendusoff.com/cgi-bin/registry.cgi?glname=Alter&blname=Harriss

Farm Aid

My husband and I went to the Farm Aid concert a long time ago, but I just wanted to share some pictures of the crowds (especially the Mom jeans pic that I took just for y'all)! It was a really cool concert and we saw Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, The Allman Brothers and Counting Crows.


A great pic of some classic "Mom" jeans from 1984.

Vino

If you like wine, this website is way too much fun...http://buyersvine.com/Tags!

Great New Finds!

Monogram Stickers are all the rage in the preppy world. I recently purchased one to place on a clear acrylic tub I got as a wedding gift. It looks so much cuter now! I came across this great website called Electra's Monograms. She has a monogram sticker for EVERYTHING! Check it out! Here are a few of my favorites:




Hi friends, I'm not sure how many of you have seen Delight.com, but it is a great new site to add to your daily list! Here's a little about it:

Delight.com is an every day shopping adventure dedicated to putting the joy back in shopping. We cut through the retail clutter and bring a highly edited and ever-changing showcase of products that are insanely useful, a fantastic value, or just downright fabulous. Log on at lunch (noon central) and each day you’ll find one Delightful product featured with a Delightful gift for you…some days it’s a discounted price…other times free shipping…a free gift…you just never know.

Also, My Flip Flopz which I talked about a few days ago is offering MMM readers a 15% off discount on their precious stationary with promotional code MMM07. The offer is good through December 9, 2007. You get to pick your artwork and a cute quote for your folded cards or flat cards. My favorite artwork is below. Stock up on these original designs for teacher gifts and stocking stuffers! Thanks Susan!

My Christmas Card Final Pick

These fabulous Christmas cards came in this weekend from The Paper Cafe! They are Whitney English and I love them. We are using one of the professional pictures from our wedding with both of us out by the sunset minutes after we got married. (The picture below is just the example, not us!) I even got free matching labels since I ordered early! If you order Whitney English or Hicks paper from The Paper Cafe during November you get 15% off! See their website for details!

My Apartment

My Apartment

I've seen this meme on a number of blogs and thought I would join the fun:

1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? Ivory Soap, Bath Body Work's Pumpkin Body Wash

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?I do not. I'm not sure if I have any fruit. I need to order some groceries.

3. What would you change about your living room? I wish it were bigger! I also still need a new upholstered chair to go with my new linen sofa and I am having the worst time finding one. The sooner the better so I can get rid of my husband's nasty goodwill chair!

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? They are dirty b/c it is not full yet.

5. What is in your fridge? our brita, seltzer water, milk, Crystal Light Pink Lemonade, Diet Coke, several different kinds of cheese, eggs, bread, a door full of condiments,yogurt, pickles, cool whip, tortilla shells, olives...I need to go shopping!

6. White or wheat bread? Whole wheat please.

7. What is on top of your refrigerator? A basket with bread products and then a nice bottle of champagne we got as a wedding gift and an unopened bottle of Johnny Walker Blue that my boss gave me after his last meeting

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? White waffle. I would love to get it monogrammed.

9. How many plants are in your home? I had a mum, but I killed it. I always kill plants. We did not pack any plants for our move so we don't have any now, but that is probably for the best. My husband does bring me fresh flowers quite often from the street vendors.

10. Is your bed made right now? Nope

11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet

12. Is your closet organized? Yes, I worked on it yesterday! It is very full though...city living!

13. Can you describe your flashlight? I saw them yesterday when I was cleaning. One is yellow and one is black.

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic, monogrammed and Alabama tervis tumblers mostly unless they are all dirty, then I move on to the glass

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No, but that sounds really yummy. We just have crystal light and our brita.

16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? No garage in the city!

17. Curtains or blinds? Blinds. I'm thinking I need curtains, but that is way down the list since this is an apartment. I guess if I did panels we could move them and they would work in our future house.

18. How many pillows do you sleep with? 2 (a really soft one and a semi soft one behind it)

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No, just the glow from the city

20. How often do you vacuum? My husband vacuumed yesterday because Daisy is shedding EVERYWHERE! Normally we do it once a week, but this week we are going to have to do it more if we don't want to live in her fur. I think her first real winter coat is coming in.

21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard but I'd like to try an electric.

22. What color is your toothbrush? Yellow and my husband's new one is hot pink...but he swears it is red.

23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? No, we can't have a welcome mat in our apartment and we don't have a front porch. We had really cute ones for every season at my old house. My favorite was flip flops...but Daisy ate it when she was a puppy.

24. What is in your oven right now? Nothing.

25. Is there anything under your bed? Under the bed storage boxes with who knows what. One is filled with wires. Yes, my husband has a whole box of wires that he finds very useful.

26. Chore you hate doing the most? Ironing and dusting. We have more dust in NYC then I've ever seen in my life!

27. What retro items are in your home? None that I can think of...maybe my husband's goodwill chair that I hate

28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? I wish. We have a desk in our bedroom that my we bought in case my husband has to do work at home.

29. How many mirrors are in your home? Two. I really need a full length mirror. That has been on the "I need" list since we moved. But, carrying a full length mirror down the street is easier said then done.

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? No. Just some change on the front chest.

31. What color are your walls?
Off white/Eggshell...no use in painting a rental in my opinion b/c you either have to pay to paint it back or paint it back yourself. In my old house I had coca walls in the living room and kitchen, light green in my bedroom, a mossy green in the dining room, yellow in my bathroom and my roommates room and khaki in my other roommates room.

32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home?No, I think my doorman is good enough.

33. What does your home smell like right now? Not sure

34. Favorite candle scent?
Right now we are loving our pumpkin spice candle. I just got a cranberry/orange.

35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now?
Kosher Dill Garlic. I don't like pickles but I bought them for my husband and he hasn't eaten them yet.

36. What color is your favorite Bible? The one we have is white.

37. Ever been on your roof? Yes, we have a rooftop deck with a great view of the river and the city.

38. Do you own a stereo? No, not anymore.

39. How many TVs do you have? One plasma in the living room and our computer in the bedroom on the desk is also a tv....city space saving techniques!

40. How many house phones? One

41. Do you have a housekeeper? No, but I need one with all this dog hair!

42. What style do you decorate in?
Comfortable, preppy/classic, pottery barn style

43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
I like both but have mostly solid

44. Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Yes and sprinklers!

45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you'd grab if you only could make one quick trip?
Photos, wedding album, pearl necklace from my grandmother. But only AFTER I made sure my husband and Daisy were safely out of the house.

Tidbit Thursday

Note From a Reader:
Howdy! I just wanted to tell you I stumbled across your blog and I LOVE IT! I'm a former Bama belle myself...I found some neat preppy swag through your site so I wanted to share one with you that I found recently. Check out My Flip Flopz Laid-Back Stationery. I ordered some custom designs and got to talking to the owner and she's from Alabama as well. Their site is http://www.myflipflopz.com/. Keep on blogging - i love the escape! Enjoy NYC!

Discounts:

Paper Cafe
15% of Holiday Cards and Holiday Invitations from Whitney English & Hicks Paper.
*place your order online at http://www.thepapercafe.net/
*enter "November Special" in special instructions box
*pay full amount at checkout*15% discount will be credited back to your account!
*Offer valid through November 20th

Sephora
This year we are pleased to offer once again our Friends and Family discount online from November 3-21, 2007 . Our Friends and Family can shop on sephora.com and receive a 20% discount at checkout by entering FF2007 in the promotion code box.

Fridge Door
Order a minimum of only $29 in merchandise, select ground shipping and simply enter coupon code FGS1167 during check out. The ground shipping charge will disappear.
This coupon is valid for ground shipments going to a US address.This coupon expires end of day Saturday, 11/10/07.

Wishing Fish
(Click here: for my favorite items in previous post)
Coupon code SHIP4FREE must be entered at checkout. Order must total $50 or more (before taxes and shipping and handling), and be shipped to a single delivery address within the continental U.S. Special offer expires at 11:59PM ET on 11/14/07, and may not be combined with any other offer.


QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

1) What is your favorite kind of tights? It is cold up here and I need some new ones.

2) Cold Climate Preps...ok, this may be a really dumb question, but I have all these new flats and now that the weather is cold I need to know what to wear with them. In the South I never wore socks with them or tights. What is the best thing to wear with ballet flats that will show part of your foot? Help!

3) Has anyone seen a cute damask Save the Date card? A friend of a friend is looking for some. Also, she wants to know if she can use their married monogram for the STD? Is that legal? I know you (the girl) aren't supposed to use your married monogram until after you are married since that is why you order two sets of stationary for thank you notes. But, wasn't sure about the joint monogram before marriage. My Emily Post Weddings is at home (in the South)...

A NYC friend sent me this list of restaurants to try...thought I would share with y 'all!

Brunch:
Balthazar - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/balthazar01/
Cafe Cluny - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/Cafe-Cluny/
Cookshop - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cookshop/
Nice Matin - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/nice-matin/
Norma's - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/normas/
Public - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/public/
Schiller's - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/schillers-liquor-bar/

Dinner:
Calle Ocho - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/calle-ocho/
Eleven Madison Park - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/eleven-madison-park/
Mesa Grill - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/mesa-grill/
Ouest - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/ouest/
Town - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/town01/
Grano Trattoria - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/grano-trattoria/
Sant Ambroeus - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/sant-ambroeus/
Estatiatorio Milos - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/estiatorio-milos/
Tabla - http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/tabla/
Gramercy Tavern: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/gramercy-tavern/
Blue Water Grill: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/blue_water_grill/

Monogrammed Bouquet Ribbon

I've had a few emails about where I got my bouquet ribbon made that was posted in the pictures of my wedding flowers. My regular monogram lady in Alabama actually monogrammed my bouquet ribbon, my dress label and my ribbon for my hydrangea wreath at the guest book table. I just ordered the thickest double satin ribbon I could find and brought it to her. If you have someone that monograms for you then you could just buy the ribbon and take it to her.

If not, check the comments section about bouquet ribbons and some of the girls had some suggestions of where to look:

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/search/label/Monograms

OR

I've also seen them on:

http://stores.ebay.com/LINEN-CLASSICS-Weddings-and-Gifts

http://www.initial-impressions.net/

http://www.monogramsbysopretty.com/bride.html

If anyone else knows other places be sure to post! I hope this helps. Best wishes to all the brides out there that read my blog!

Dear Dogs and Cats:

I got this email and just had to share....

This should be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - pet nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow ,try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it "fur"niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Our Wedding Flowers Part One

These are some professional pictures of the flowers used in my wedding on June 30, 2007. All of the pictures were taken by Courtland Richards photography and the flowers were done by the fabulous Ms. Eda from Belle Bouquet in Mobile, Alabama.

Please ask permission (email me at magnoliasmarraigeandmanhattan@gmail.com) before you post the images and certainly do not copy the images unless you give Courtland credit. I hope you enjoy!

If you want to see more images of our wedding flowers click here.


My Bridesmaid Bouquets

Flowers outside the chapel. Those white pottery boxes could not be moved so we just added to them!
My beautiful bouquet and my monogrammed ribbon (in pale pink that does not show up in this picture)
My bouquet in the middle with the bridesmaid bouquets around it.

On the outside of the church.

This was on the patio outside of the ballroom.

Another shot of my beautiful bouquet and monogrammed ribbon.

Our beautiful pew markers. The cones are made of a pink paisley paper I found at Michaels.

Fall Back

I am so excited that y'all decided to come out of the woodwork and say hello. It really meant a lot to me. Sometimes I forget that all of you are actually reading what I write! My blog has served as a great outlet for me during the wedding planning, our move and now my MAJOR adjustment period to life in the city and as a new wife. I will be sure to add all of you to my blogroll that responded. I am excited to check out all of your blogs.

So...the weekend was okay. Thursday night we had a get together with my Junior League provisional group. I made rice crispy treats and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. It was a lot of fun and I'm enjoying getting to know the girls in my group.

On Friday, I was REALLY homesick. I helped host a party with all of my KD pledge sisters on Friday night for one of our other pledge sisters and one of my best friends...but I wasn't there. I was kind of down all weekend because I wanted to be there with all of my girls. =( Mix in a little PMS and there were a lot of tears. My sweet husband put up with me and even agreed to try another Mexican place (BAD idea) on Friday night. I don't understand why with all the great food up here there are not ANY decent Mexican places.

On Saturday, we watched football and cleaned the apartment. I don't know how Daisy has any fur left on her because there were "small dogs" as we call them in every corner. I can't keep up with her! Our beloved Tide had a tough loss on Saturday night. My parents and sister were at the game...so I was wishing I was there too...but not after the outcome! Sunday was fun and relaxing. My husband and I woke up early and I made pancakes, then we watched the NYC Marathon out our window. We went out on the street to watch the top ladies and top men. I missed seeing Katie Holmes and Lance Armstrong but I was inspired by the thousands of runners I did see. What a major accomplishment!

Great news...one of my best friends is pregnant! This is my first really close friend to be pregnant and I'm so excited for her. It's also a very strange feeling because even though I have other friends that are pregnant or have little ones, this is my first really, really close friend. This is my friend that was my going out buddy in college and after college. It's so crazy that she'll have a baby in a few months. She got married this past March and she is due the middle of May. I wish I could be there to give her a big hug and be with her during this journey. I have to figure out how to be a good friend during her pregnancy via the distance. Any suggestions?

I did some major online searching for dresses to wear to the above mentioned friend's wedding which is the beginning of December in Louisiana. I'll need a rehearsal dinner dress, Friday luncheon dress, Saturday luncheon dress and a dress for actual wedding. Here are a few that I'm considering

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=274405&CategoryID=27228&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=5449&AdID=35923

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/outfit.jsp?ensembleId=2878&N=1200056&categoryId=235&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_235#ATLtop

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2966208/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001837?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001837&P=1

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=9040&N=1200051&pCategoryId=193&categoryId=229&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_229&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Irridescent%20Almond&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses#ATLtop

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446167851&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492707102&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1194127957149&ev19=2:15

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2929645/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001837?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001837&P=7

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2937054/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001837?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001837&P=


This are my current favorites:

For wedding....
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446170755&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492704746&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1194128240061&ev19=3:2

For rehearsal or brunch?
http://www.inthepinkonline.com/product/715809/13510985/sienna-dress-jacquard/

For rehearsal or wedding could also wear to office parties...
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2945768/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001837?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001837&P=1

What do you think? Have any other suggestions? Be sure to check back tomorrow...I've got some more wedding pictures to share!

Getting to Know You...

I'm pretty familiar with most of the people that comment on my blog if they have their own blog. But, I would love to know where some of you other readers are from. Take a minute today and write me a comment to let me know where you're from! I love hearing from my readers. Happy Friday!

A Note from Crane

MMM,

Here's a stationery tip for the gals who didn't win your latest contest - buy 75 personalized stationery items from Crane and Co. and get 25 more for free, until November 10. It's the perfect excuse to update your stationery wardrobe, or squeeze in some early Christmas shopping for mom, a sister, or a girlfriend.

I think you'll see that Crane has some varied options for the girl who embraces preppy style. Our kate spade line includes correspondence cards and calling cards incorporating pinks and greens; our classic Crane designs offer a variety of personalization options, from monograms to lovely cursive fonts. I've included a few images below my signature for you.
So if you need to restash your thank you notes, or update your calling card in advance of the holiday season, simply visit: http://crane.com/navDepartment.aspx?NavName=NavShop&DeptName=PersonalizedStationery


Best regards,

Crane

P.S. If you're thinking about environmental impact lately, you'll be happy to know that Crane's 100 percent cotton paper is totally tree-free!

Christmas Card

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, Please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Pretty White Lillies from My Husband!

What I've been buying...

Here is an Alabama mug (houndstooth and crimson) I got for my husband as a surprise from So Pretty.