I couldn’t really post our Nashville without sharing this song to go with them. In my rushed blurb about our trip, I forgot to mention the music. Of all the live bands we heard, I think one of our favorites was Marcus & Billy, and of all the songs we heard, “Wagon Wheel” became the sort of unspoken official track for our trip. The song’s got a little bit of history — originally sketched by Bob Dylan, first recorded by Old Crow Medicine Show, and recently made famous by Darius Rucker — but of all the covers I could find online, this one caught my ear. These two are super talented, and this version reminds me most of the music we heard during our time in Nashville. I hope you enjoy the song, and enjoy the weekend! (Song starts @ 0:36.) =)
My friends have sort of a love/hate relationship with my photography skills. They love the fact that I take all these wonderful photos when we’re together, but I’m pretty sure they all hate that it takes me four months to go through them, clean them up, edit them, share them and post them anywhere. Oops. =)
Back in January, we took a quick little weekend trip to Nashville to celebrate Tina’s 30th birthday. It was 48 hours of eating, drinking, singing, dancing, and exploring. It went a little something like this: We arrived, we checked in, we ate lunch, we drank whiskey, we had an amazing dinner, we bar hopped downtown. We woke up, we hit up the farmer’s market, we ate some kettle corn, we rented bicycles, we got lost (oops), we turned around, we rode through Printers Alley, we toured Ryman Auditorium, we bought some Hatch prints, we drank some a lot of margaritas, we went to Tootsie’s, things got a little fuzzy after that. We woke up again, we had an amazing breakfast, we checked out, we took a cab 16 miles out of the way to get ice cream (it was worth it), we peaced out.
Not the most descriptive travel post I’ve ever written, but I’m afraid people will stop posing for my photos if I keep procrastinating on this one. If I linked to anything above, I’m recommending you check it out. =)
Four months down, 8 to go.
Travel
Renew my passport – New passport in my possession, February 12.
Leave the country (temporarily, of course)
Spend a girls’ weekend in Nashville, TN – Spent the weekend in Nashville for Tina’s 30th birthday, January 18-20.
Visit Stephen in Pensacola (again), and take a little trip within a trip to New Orleans
Go shopping in Chicago
Visit Nicole in Texas
Visit Grace in New Hampshire
Visit Joelle in California
Gamble in the new Margaritaville Casino in Atlantic City
Play poker in Las Vegas
Spend a day in NYC – Spent two days, and two nights in NYC, February 6-8.
Take pictures of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse
Soak up some sunshine on a tropical beach
Spend time in one other northeast or southeast city (Charleston, Newport, Savannah, Miami, etc.)
Blogging
Finish merging my two blogs together into one
Decide on a name once and for all (suggestions welcome) – The Coastal Chicster it is, January 28.
Work with some my favorite local shops and businesses to feature them on my blog
Find ways to connect with other bloggers
Engage with readers more to grow traffic
Develop a media kit
Attend a blogging conference – Attended IFB Conference, February 6-7.
Upgrade to WordPress Pro – Did one better than that. This blog is now self-hosted! January 29.
For My Well-Being
Get contacts (or at least prescription sunglasses)
Have a better relationship with my cats
Eat less pizza – Definitely ate less pizza in January, as I’ve been experimenting with a gluten-free diet.
Work with a lifestyle coach – Completed a four-week “Sparkling Start” group workshop with Cara Alwill Leyba, January 30.
Consult with a nutritionist
Join Weight Watchers again, take it seriously, and get back down to my goal weight
Find new ways to exercise
Find a charitable organization to dedicate some volunteer hours to each week and/or month – Joined the Employee Action Committee at work in March, and volunteered at the Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K, March 30. Volunteered at Dive For A Cure, April 27.
Business Endeavors & Money
Sell fine art photography prints through the Lisa DeNoia Photography website
Design a line of stationery using my photos and/or graphic design skills
Write a few posts for my company’s blog at work – Wrote a post in January, but I don’t think they posted it yet.
Get a raise – Accepted a new position at work, January 31.
Open a Roth IRA
Up my monthly money market transfer to $275 in January and $300 in July – Upped transfer to $275, January 1.
The Usual
Go ice skating (extra points for Rockefeller Center)
Go horseback riding
Go surfing
Go snowboarding
Run in a race
Read at least 10 good books
See a few concerts – Saw the Virginia International Tattoo at Chrysler Hall, April 25.
See a few plays – Saw American Idiot at Chrysler Hall, January 26. Saw the Met Opera’s production Rigoletto live in HD at the movie theater, February 16. Saw Jersey Boys at Chrysler Hall, March 8. Saw Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Sandler Center, April 26.
Do yoga
Draw a picture
Write a poem
New Things to Do
Submit something I write to a publication or magazine
Host a champagne brunch for friends
Attend Fashion Week in NYC – I was in NYC when Fashion Week started, but thanks to a winter storm, didn’t make it anywhere close, February 8.
Go sailing
Cook more
Take a photography class
Visit a museum
Learn to sew
Enter one of my photographs into a competition
Take a dance class
Wish List
Own a pair of diamond earrings
Invest in new luggage
Acquire this camera lens
Get a bike rack for my car
Buy a timeshare or property in the Caribbean
And, as always, make a new resolution each month:
January: Recoup the savings account (did a little damage with Christmas and the NYE party…) – Kind of? Not really. Still working on that.
February: Pick out a web-based project management tool for my new job – I think I’ve settled on SmartSheet.
March: Go running! (as soon as DST starts…) – I went running the day that DST started…and that’s about it.
April: Finish cleaning out my closet and selling a whole bunch of crap on eBay – I’ve cleaned out most of the stuff I should get rid of, but I haven’t sold it all yet.
May: Finish editing Nashville photos and post (Tina made a special request for this to be done ASAP)
Top: Michael Kors (old, similar). Pants: Cynthia Rowley via TJMaxx (a href=”http://bit.ly/12VY3qb”>similar). Cardigan: Tory Burch. Belt: Michael Kors (similar). Shoes: Rockport (similar and another similar style here). Bag: Tory Burch (love this bag in light blue for summer!). Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Bracelets: Alex + Ani, Lia Sophia, Kate Spade, Swell Caroline. Necklace: Pade Vavra.
It’s easy to complain that the temperatures are still hovering around 60 degrees at the end of April in Virginia Beach. Usually by this time of year, we’ve already squeezed in at one beach day, and we’re riding our bikes to dinner on the weekends. However, as much as I’d love to spend a day relaxing on the sand, I’m looking on the bright side. These precious few mild spring weekends are the perfect excuse to skip the beach scene and spend some time elsewhere in the area — experiencing new things, trying new restaurants, and doing some activities that we just don’t normally do. Over the last few days, I’ve visited Portsmouth, Norfolk, Town Center, and Pungo to see live performances, revisit old favorite spots, eat some delicious meals, do a little shopping, and even pick fresh local strawberries.
Besides, an actual spring means a slower wardrobe transition. Of course I’m ready to pull my Lilly collection out of hibernation, but I’m not going to lie. I was secretly hoping for one last chance to wear this dots-on-dots ensemble this season. =)
Yesterday afternoon, a co-worker offered us last-minute VIP tickets to the Virginia International Tattoo — an event I’ve been wanting to attend for years. This particular tattoo has nothing to do with permanent ink markings, but everything to do with massed pipes and drums, military bands, and many other talented singers, dancers and performers from around the world. As part of the Virginia Arts Festival, the 2013 Virginia International Tattoo — comprised for more than 900 members from six different nations — will grace the Norfolk Scope with performances through Sunday.
Having spent many an autumn night in my lifetime marching with the band on a high school football field, as well as a solid week in college documenting and photographing the cadet drill team for a feature article, I have the utmost appreciation for the show I saw last night. My favorite numbers included the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band performing “In the Mood” fronted by the OzScot Australia Dance Team; the French Paratroopers Band executing some very snazzy dance moves as they played a tango; and the Band and Drill Team of His Majesty The King’s Guard impeccably marching and twirling their rifles in perfect time. I also really enjoyed all of the bagpipes and, of course, the ridiculously amazing massed band finale.
If you’re in the area this weekend, and you’re looking for something to do, the Virginia International Tattoo has shows tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. =)
Enjoy the weekend!
All images courtesy of Virginia International Tattoo.
My friend Rich shared this song with me a few weeks ago, and I’ve had it stuck in my head ever since. Of the videos I could find on YouTube, I like this acoustic version best. The official video, while extremely creative, just wasn’t quite what I pictured in my head when I first listened to this song. On the other hand, this acoustic version sort of forces you to pay attention to how unique and amazing this guy’s voice is, and it gives you a chance to interpret the lyrics for yourself.
Every spring I do this. I go off in search of the perfect pair of summer sandals. Some years it’s a pair of heels or wedges. Some years it’s the perfect flip flops. This year it happens to be a pair of gold leather flat sandals. The two on my wish list are the two above — the Jack Rogers Hamptons Navajo in Platinum and the Canfora Gail in Oro. Both handmade, both high quality shoes, both pretty expensive for a little pair of sandals, and both favorites of Jackie Kennedy. As much as I’ve been lusting after the Canforas for ages, I might save my first splurge on a pair of Capri sandals for the first time I actually visit Italy. Although, for $10 more, I can order the Canforas through Shopbop and enjoy the luxury of returning them if they don’t fit. As for the Jacks, I’m pretty sure I need them in a wide width, so I’m stuck using the Jack Rogers website, rather than Zappos, Amazon, Piperlime or another site offering free return shipping. Hmm. I’m horrible at making these decisions.
While I’m sure your initial reaction is, “Lisa, why the hell do you need such expensive sandals?!?”, I’d like to reiterate my previous point that I’ve taken up investing in quality items I love, rather than stocking up on a bunch of crap I won’t care much about in a year or so. (Besides, I just sold, like, 32 articles of clothing and shoes from my closet on eBay.) Whichever pair of these sandals I end up with, I’ll probably still be wearing them five summers from now. (Unless I relocate to the Caribbean, in which case, I’ll be wearing them five winters from now, as well.)
Over the weekend, J and I attended a lovely wine party at the fairly new home of my former co-worker, Dave, and his wife. As they took us on a tour of their place, I became instantly jealous of their multiple faux plant cat litter boxes. So much so that, as Dave poured me my first glass of wine, I was already on Amazon, shelling out $59.99 for one of my own (with free two-day shipping). The quality item arrived today, was assembled in a mere five minutes, and is currently awaiting its first cat crap. The foliage on top has really changed the entire ambiance in my living room, and I don’t even have to water it. What a classy solution to (literally) the shittiest aspect of cat ownership. I’m so excited.
Lately, I’ve had this overwhelming urge to get rid of a lot of stuff. I’ve been especially focused on my closet and my room, but it’s an across-the-board kind of thing. The thought of owning less stuff in general is extremely appealing to me right now.
Growing up, I was kind of a hoarder. I would keep every inanimate object I owned simply because it would remind me of something I didn’t want to forget. Fortunately, having moved a lot over the last ten years, I’ve come a long way from my hoarding days. I’m much more organized now, and even though I shop a lot, I’m usually pretty good at re-selling, donating or throwing away items I don’t use anymore.
Most of my friends now probably have no idea what a mess I was back in the day. I’m going on 10 clutter-free years, but before that…complete train wreck. For those who need to see it to believe it, I present Lisa’s Dresser: Then & Now.
I think this most recent and somewhat extreme purging phase is the culmination of a few things — my accepting a new position at work, my upcoming birthday, and the fact that my lease on this condo is up in just six months. I’ve been so busy that I’m just not home enough to need as much stuff as I own. I don’t have enough time to do all of my laundry, tend to all of my dry cleaning, read all of my books, listen to all of my music, etc. I also I’ve outgrown some of the styles I used to wear a few years ago, and I know it’ll be a whole hell of a lot easier moving on to wherever I’m going to live next if I’m not packing up boxes full of shit I’m not going to use.
On top of all that, I think I’ve simply reached a point where I’d rather spend my money on experiences rather than things. Or if I do spend money on things, I’d rather purchase fewer, higher quality items I’ll use over and over for a long time, rather than crappy items that won’t last.
Thanks to eBay, I’ve been able to reclaim about $200 over the last few weeks clearing out my closet. Now that I’ve got some momentum going, I’m hoping I can recoup even more money and save up for something I’ll really enjoy. =)
If you’re on the same page (or you want to be, but need a little inspiration to get there), here are some words of wisdom I refer back to often:
1. Graham Hill’s TED Talk: Less Stuff, More Happiness
2. Jennifer Scott’s book, Lessons from Madame Chic (specifically her thoughts and chapters on the 10 item wardrobe and maintaining a clutter-free home)
3. Kendi Everyday”s Working Closet Series
4. Jess Lively’s Throw Out 100 Things Challenge
Happy purging!
Three months down, 9 to go.
Travel
Renew my passport – New passport in my possession, February 12.
Leave the country (temporarily, of course)
Spend a girls’ weekend in Nashville, TN – Spent the weekend in Nashville for Tina’s 30th birthday, January 18-20.
Visit Stephen in Pensacola (again), and take a little trip within a trip to New Orleans
Go shopping in Chicago
Visit Nicole in Texas
Visit Grace in New Hampshire
Visit Joelle in California
Gamble in the new Margaritaville Casino in Atlantic City
Play poker in Las Vegas
Spend a day in NYC – Spent two days, and two nights in NYC, February 6-8.
Take pictures of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse
Soak up some sunshine on a tropical beach
Spend time in one other northeast or southeast city (Charleston, Newport, Savannah, Miami, etc.)
Blogging
Finish merging my two blogs together into one
Decide on a name once and for all (suggestions welcome) – The Coastal Chicster it is, January 28.
Work with some my favorite local shops and businesses to feature them on my blog
Find ways to connect with other bloggers
Engage with readers more to grow traffic
Develop a media kit
Attend a blogging conference – Attended IFB Conference, February 6-7.
Upgrade to WordPress Pro – Did one better than that. This blog is now self-hosted! January 29.
For My Well-Being
Get contacts (or at least prescription sunglasses)
Have a better relationship with my cats
Eat less pizza – Definitely ate less pizza in January, as I’ve been experimenting with a gluten-free diet.
Work with a lifestyle coach – Completed a four-week “Sparkling Start” group workshop with Cara Alwill Leyba, January 30.
Consult with a nutritionist
Join Weight Watchers again, take it seriously, and get back down to my goal weight
Find new ways to exercise
Find a charitable organization to dedicate some volunteer hours to each week and/or month – Joined the Employee Action Committee at work in March, and volunteered at the Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K, March 30.
Business Endeavors & Money
Sell fine art photography prints through the Lisa DeNoia Photography website
Design a line of stationery using my photos and/or graphic design skills
Write a few posts for my company’s blog at work – Wrote a post in January, but I don’t think they posted it yet.
Get a raise – Accepted a new position at work, January 31.
Open a Roth IRA
Up my monthly money market transfer to $275 in January and $300 in July – Upped transfer to $275, January 1.
The Usual
Go ice skating (extra points for Rockefeller Center)
Go horseback riding
Go surfing
Go snowboarding
Run in a race
Read at least 10 good books
See a few concerts
See a few plays – Saw American Idiot at Chrysler Hall, January 26. Saw the Met Opera’s production Rigoletto live in HD at the movie theater, February 16. Saw Jersey Boys at Chrysler Hall, March 8.
Do yoga
Draw a picture
Write a poem
New Things to Do
Submit something I write to a publication or magazine
Host a champagne brunch for friends
Attend Fashion Week in NYC – I was in NYC when Fashion Week started, but thanks to a winter storm, didn’t make it anywhere close, February 8.
Go sailing
Cook more
Take a photography class
Visit a museum
Learn to sew
Enter one of my photographs into a competition
Take a dance class
Wish List
Own a pair of diamond earrings
Invest in new luggage
Acquire this camera lens
Get a bike rack for my car
Buy a timeshare or property in the Caribbean
And, as always, make a new resolution each month:
January: Recoup the savings account (did a little damage with Christmas and the NYE party…) – Kind of? Not really. Still working on that.
February: Pick out a web-based project management tool for my new job – I think I’ve settled on SmartSheet.
March: Go running! (as soon as DST starts…) – I went running the day that DST started…and that’s about it.
April: Finish cleaning out my closet and selling a whole bunch of crap on eBay
