High Cotton

Because I love driving country roads, because I think this is the most beautiful place on earth, because I want to raise my family here, because my mother’s antique shop is a social scene, because I love Pikeville’s burgers, and because life doesn’t get much better than this.

Nash-Town Get Down

I’ve returned from a weekend of love. You know how much I love, love, and you know I believe it’s a verb. So this past summer, one of my roommates was a bride-to-be. I frequently asked for wedding updates and pictures of the bridesmaid’s dresses. We all made plans to attend Catherine and David’s wedding in Nashville, as it would be a celebration for all of us to be back together again. Amanda and I stayed with her grandmother, and I fell in love with her and Amanda’s aunt, Julie. It was mainly a weekend of good wine, great food and laughs, just like Italy, and it was a good decision for me to buy my dress in a size bigger. So, needless to say, I had missed the Italy girls and all their beautiful personalities. Catherine’s wedding was absolutely amazing as we ate Ben and Jerry’s and grooved with the band who also played at Jenna Bush’s wedding. Catherine and David, I hope you have an amazing honeymoon in Cabo! Next up, Laura and Mike!

Saturday Afternoon Shopping

Favorite Part of a Wedding

Back together! Catherine in her Jim Hjelm.

Walk to Genzano

Mandy, Al Gal and Lace Face

April 24, 1956

These are the grandparent’s who took me to Wal-Mart every year for my Birthday, the grandparents I would stay with on Saturday nights while my parents were at Supper Club, and I would fall asleep on their living room couch while watching Walker, Texas Ranger and America’s Most Wanted, the grandfather who worked at Talladega and the grandmother who teaches me how to sew. I passed my grandmother the other day in downtown Scottsboro, and I thought to myself, look at her, there she is, my beautiful Nana. My grandfather is a very, very lucky man.

Horace and Mona Rogers, Lena Rogers, Lymon Evans, Ms. Olene and C.P. Evans

my Smokin’ Hot Nana!

…on your mark, get set…

See Rock City

My entire life, I have seen big red barn billboards with eleven big white letters instructing me to drive to Lookout Mountain, so on Friday, Em and I decided the wondering was over. Beautiful drive. Beautiful walk. Beautiful view. You should see.

“Parked down on Lover’s Leap, Steaming up his old heap, Two lovers stare up at the stars”- Holdin’ by Diamond Rio

“I can’t count the barns I’ve past, Painted red, white and black, See Rock City”- This I Gotta See by Jason Aldean

The Baptist Hymnal

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold

I’d rather be His than have riches untold

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land

I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hands

Than to be the king of a best domain

And be held in sins dread sway

I’d rather have Jesus

Than anything this world affords today

I’d rather have Jesus than worldly applause

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause

I’d rather have Jesus that worldwide fame

I’d rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a best domain

And beheld in sins dread sway

I’d rather have Jesus

Than anything this world affords today

Dressing the Part

I still haven’t grown out of my “lets play dress up” days. Lets party and play dress up, and I’m diggin’ it if it’s a theme. So, this past Saturday, I spent my afternoon with my forever friends. Through elementary school through middle school through high school and through college, we have all stayed close. I don’t know what I would do if these people weren’t in my life. I love every moment with them. In this group of friends, I am lucky enough to have a little family tie with one. Brenton, is my totally awesome cousin who is always down for a good time, laughing all the way. He has amazing talent, and he will be on Broadway one day, and this is a serious statement as he is auditioning and interviewing in the Big Apple. As friends began to gather at Becca J’s house for the cookout, I realized I was the only one who dressed for the theme. So when Brenton called me to see if I was there yet, I encouraged him to get there ASAP, because I was the only one ready to “throw it down in my hometown”. He showed up ready for a rumble. Gosh, I love him, and I am so glad we are Bellomy’s!

All in the Family

... siete, ocho, nueve, DIEZ!

I have one main physical attraction, legs. My dad, he has amazing legs. My grandmother has told me girls in his class would comment, “’those legs shouldn’t be on a boy.” It’s true. He won the first place prize of the Scottsboro High School Ugly Walk in the 70’s. Shaved legs, short mini dress, 4-inch heels and a blonde wig, the pictures in his yearbook display it all. It’s the Bellomy/Stubblefield combination. He was destined for structure. I love chicken legs, and if I have seen you in shorts or a skirt, I have mentally graded your legs. I’m still on my Cameron high from the Oscar’s. She’s got it all. A rockin’ body, amazing athletic ability, and an untouchable ex-boyfriend list. Nice legs Cami, keep rockin’ the mini.

The Kelly Griffith Show

I’ll never watch The Andy Griffith Show without thinking about the relationship between my dad and my grandfather, such humble, kind, caring, southern, God loving men. I love the show, but it’s only because it takes me back to the times I shared with them. I love gardening, clouds, birds and circus peanuts only because they loved these things. One of my favorite episodes includes the Darling family. This family appeared in six showings, as they would come down from the hills and travel into Mayberry. One time, Mr. Darling kidnapped Aunt Bea for his wife, which called for a comical rescue by Andy and Barney. I love good pickin’ hoe down music. I always sing this song, and I was thrilled when I found the clip on YouTube. It’s a classic. When I was younger, I would watch the show with the two of them at my grandparent’s house, and I remember thinking, one day, I bet my children, grandchildren and I will all sit around and watch re-runs of Saved by the Bell. Andy Griffith is to my dad, as Kelly Kapowski is to me.

Becca J's Big Day!

Photography by Whitney Shepard

When I look at pictures, and I see friends with smiling faces, I always think of the memories that lead up to that moment. Every friendship has a story with countless memoirs. Trips to Constitution Village, birthdays, choir trips, weekend trips to Huntsville with Kristy and Brenton, are some of the memories that lead up to me being alongside Rebecca on her wedding day. Eighteen years of memories are captured in our photograph. It was such an honor to be with her at the showers, the bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and moments before the wedding. Rebecca, you were such a beautiful bride, and I can’t thank you enough for always being the happy go lucky friend you are. Rebecca and Nick, happy one month!

Ricky Bobbin'

Readers! I am so so sorry about yesterday. I was on the lake, catching some bass with Johnny and Em. I’ve grown up going hunting and fishing with Johnny. He’s one of my Dad’s best friends, so he’s been in my life for many, many years. He’s super popular in my hometown. His phone is never silent. “Where are you?”, “You gettin’ anything”. He has a whole network of eager killers. With the help of Johnny, Em and I brainstormed the creation of our very own fishing show. “Ricky Bobby” is Johnny’s comment for everything that happens wrong. Em breaks the seat, “You Ricky Bobbied that.” My line gets tangled, “Ricky Bobby, what have you done?” We decided this would be our trademark phrase on film.

Go Sandra Go!

If I wrote on Sandra’s wall,

Congrats on the big win! So proud of you honey. Hope you and Jesse had the magical night you deserved! Lunch soon, please!

Dress to Impress

Because of Cam, I almost didn't make a list. No one could come close to being this beautiful.

Purple and a bustier. Pretty, pretty princess.

I've never had a Best Dressed list without Penelope. She never lets me or my mother down.

It's Sue Wong-ish, and I just love it. Diane, did you read my Blog Friday? You're welcome.

Ugh. I can't believe Miley has made my list. But she tugged at my heartstrings when she donned a bustier. I'll never be able to resist the lingerie look.

Wong in Wonderland

More times than not, I am overdressed to a plan penciled in on my calendar, and it’s because I can’t resist a cocktail dress. For formals, I would eat saltines to ensure I had enough cash to drop on the dress of my dreams, and for a few hours, I would dance, well, Em and I call it jazzercize, in a dress I had turned down a dinner at Niffer’s to purchase, thank you Premium for all those nutritious meals. Oh how a love a satin, fitted dress, David Meister perhaps. That’s what I chose for Charleston at least. But there is another designer who dallies in my bank account. Sue Wong, Sue Wong, Sue Wong. Her designs aren’t practical, and I love it. Mary Jeanne has a Sue Wong dress, actually, she told me the other day she didn’t even know where it was. In my mind, I thought WHAT?! We need to display that thing in the County Courthouse. In hopes that Mim J finds her dress stuffed in the back of her closet, I have been in the market for a new shimmy, shimmy get-up, and I have discovered the designer has a special collection in stores for Johnny Depp’s new movie. Her designs are quite enchanted.

Jazzercize: verb; the act of dancing in such a motion that is not common, causing a person to sweat unattractively. Usually leading to sweat stains and wavy, nasty hair plastered to the face.

Warning: May cause avoidance of friends and plenty of solo dance space.

Tagalongs

fresh flowers: there has only been one boy to send me flowers, in the 6^th grade, and I couldn’t get on the school bus with the vase, so his mother picked me up from Page and shuttled me to my basketball try-out, i made it in the nick of time. so all you boys who have tried to impress me in the past, haven’t you stalked me on facebook… it’s one of my freakin’ interest.

vase: my mother loves cut glass.

table: “chas, why is my table on the front porch” i love bringing the inside out. for my wedding, our backyard will be crammed with couches, cabinets and dining tables.

quilted white purse: it was my companion this summer. it’s seen italy from top to bottom, barcelona, london, paris, geneva and a quant town in sicily.

couture couture: i don’t wear it. i only bought it for the bottle.

mirrored picture frame: “mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all”-Snow White

three year old anna margaret: this is my all time favorite picture of her. bec had a photographer meet them at the jule collins art museum in auburn. she’s spunk.

gucci: maybe these won’t break.

o.p.i.: silver is my new color.

vanilla: my foundation.

watch: my sixteenth birthday gift was a big deal. bec sat me right beside my grandfather. my parent’s, ms. gross, my grandparents were all there. the cameras were ready. as I began to open the package, i noticed a collection of marbles patterned on the box. well, those marbles turned out to be oysters, as they represented the collection of my watch. i wear it every single day. every time i look to notice the time, i am reminded of a time when we were all together, a time when i was shocked to tears.

ring; no, it’s not an engagement ring, even though i wear it like one. it brings escape to those hard to get out of situations.

YSL: if I had one fetish, it would be sunglasses. love them. my gold rimmed, rinestone dotted shields are my absolute favorite. i will never retire them.

key to my heart: i am sad to report that I did not get my sunglasses for all the single ladies day. instead, my father had something else up his sleeve. keith, have you been watching gg? i guess we will both be interested to see what blair waldorf has around her neck in season four.

accessories pouch: from lip smackers to chanel, i love lip stick, lip gloss and lip balm. this louis is stuffed.

blue agava and cacao: bec’s jo malone collection is out of control. the entire time in auburn, i wore her fragrances, so of course i had to stop at saks on my way home to pick up the goodness.

... and in the beginning, there was Jennifer Love.

If you’re hosting a party to watch a special event on the tube, don’t invite me. I will end up talking, texting, daydreaming or shopping and ruining the moment for everyone. Anyone who has watched anything with me knows this as I ask obvious questions about the show or movie I am supposed to be paying CLOSE attention to. Take me to the theater and hide my phone. Trust me, it’s your best bet, and as much as I would like to write a blog about ABC’s The Bachelor, I can’t, because I didn’t watch it. I was invited to attend a gathering for the finale, and I accepted, warning the crowd I didn’t even know the two girl’s names that were left to accept the boy’s final rose. I ended up closing my eyes as I exclaimed, “Is this HBO?!” The mud slathering scene did me in, so maybe next season. But today, today will be different for my anti-TV characteristic. As Em and I have already scheduled our day around O-frah. She’s having a very special guest who I have a slight obsession for. Jess will be the guest of honor as promotes her new VH1 show, and you KNOW O-frah isn’t going to let her leave without addressing the John Mayer interview in the March issue of a magazine that I will not promote. The quote, we all know so well. She was an addiction. So daytime TVers, set your timer’s for 4 o’clock, because Jess is about to sound off on John. It’s going down in she-CAR-go.

Every time I think of Jessica Simpson and John Mayer, I think of this image. It has been permanently stamped in my memory. I love the way she is looking him, and to be honest, I’ve attempted to imitate the exact scene with a boy. You know, looking up at him with my big blue eyes, smiling halfway as if it were a smirk and toting a purse that costs more than I make in a month in the crease of my arm. Well needless to say, he missed the moment. I’ve got to find someone who understands me. John Mayer and Jessica Simpson in the Perth Airport… Get it? Duh!!! I mean really?? Who hasn’t seen this picture?!

Closet Freak

My girlies know me so well. Like my blind dates, they’ll predict I will either really like the boy or I really won’t. There’s not much in between with me, so it takes me all of ten seconds to flip through a chunky edition of InStyle. To me, a girls closet should be nothing shy of a museum, so when a celeb’s closet is featured, I stop dead in my turns. Articles featuring a room compiled with personal accessories, I am all eyes, squinting to see the labels. My next closet after Clemons Road, leopard carpet fo sho. Oprah, I believe Kimora has the upper hand. See for yourself in this month’s O issue.