SMALLTOWNISTA

TOODLES 2011, HEY THERE 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Well, well, well, here we are in 2012 and I am looking forward to the year ahead.

Intentions, resolutions, dreams, and goals are wonderful to have at my fingertips, but choosing a single word to encompass what I would like to strive for throughout the year is extremely helpful in keeping me on track. Mental, physical, spiritual, and financial health are all under the 'HEALTH' umbrella with each having enough subsections to keep me pretty busy.

Another word that has come up for me a lot lately is 'LISTEN' and not just to others, but also to myself. I think this will play nicely with 'HEALTH' seeing as how tuning out what my mind, body, and spirit truly need is far from healthy.

That is where I am in this sparkling brand new year, how about you? Do you have a word or phrase to sum up your intentions for 2012?

Toodles from this 2012 basking Smalltownista.

FESTIVAL FASHION: VIP STYLE

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:15:00 +0000

LOLLAPALOOZA 2011

The hubs outdid himself yet again when he sprang for the C3 passes at Lollapalooza this year. We were rolling VIP style at the 20th year of this amazing music festival. With access to lounges sprinkled throughout the park, we were able to sit down and relax between shows, rub shoulders with the likes of Vogue photographers, and even spotted a celebrity or two (Aaron Paul from 'Breaking Bad' and Danny Masterson from 'That 70's Show'), not to mention Perry Farrell himself! These magical passes gave way to secret passages and opened gates to mystical lands also known as backstage and side stage...on day one anyway.

Day One: The weather could not have been more perfect, it wasn't even sweltering hot this year which was marvelous. We made a mad dash to cash in on a side stage view for the hot new bands, Foster the People (emphasis on the HOT) and Two Door Cinema Club. They put on great shows, but none could compare to the phenomenon that was Crystal Castles! Of course, it didn't hurt that we were literally ON the stage for their show or that we met the drummer, Christopher (see top photo) or that lead singer, Alice Glass, crowd surfed. We wrapped up a long day of festivities swaying to the soothing sounds of Coldplay. Is there another rocker quite as sexy as Chris Martin? I am certainly hard pressed to think of one. They are old pros by now and their live show was as on point as you would imagine.

Day Two: We got a later start than usual, but we were still high on our C3 status and were sure to shake it stage side for Cee Lo. Oh how we would be mistaken! The line for such accommodations was irritatingly long and was only made more irritating by the number of small children (yes under the age of 10) in this same line. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but Cee Lo's most popular song to date goes by the title "F*** You" right, so why are parents dragging their young to sing along to this? I remain boggled! It was back to the field for these two and it was quite nice to be back in a squished mud covered crowd...until it became quite clear it was not Cee Lo's fans, but the early mob for Eminem and they were none too pleased with who was currently on stage. Oh well, we were wrapped in the safety of the artist's lounge until day two was lulled to an end by Pretty Lights.

Day Three: The weather was a little less than cooperative and definitely called for a pair of stylish wellies. While the Lolla crew worked feverishly to fill in mud holes created by afternoon showers, our weary souls tried to beat the heat under the Pavilion at Perry's Stage for some Cool Kids action. Sadly, the hubs had to run to the office and like a good neighbor I went along. Fortunately, I decided not to stay for Arctic Monkeys (LOVE) because shortly after we left Lolla the bottom proceeded to completely fall out! We sought sanctuary at a close by rooftop bar until the storm passed and we trekked back to a soaked Grant Park.

Come hell, high water, or woodstockesque kids, we were not going to miss KiD CuDi. While the hubs' flip flop flanked feet sank 4 inches deep in mud, I was more than pleased that I put my wellies in syndication for a second day at the festival. As you may remember, I absolutely loathe wet, dirty, feet. YUCK! Exiting proved to be the most challenging of obstacles as 100,000 individuals were fleeing the scene at the exact same time. Aha, our magical passes regained their luster as we darted through the bands' exit and sat our muddy tails right into a taxi. Brilliant! Except for the tiny incident when a kid jumped the gate and it came crashing down on the hubs' head, but he made it out uninjured.

Yeah yeah, enough with the music, what about the FASHION! Well, the theme I picked up on this year was...Commitment. Festival goers seemed to dress for their music genre this year. From hippie to hip hop, from indie to pop, from headliners to undergrounders, I could map out one's entire schedule simply based on his/her attire. Ah, but therein lies the beauty of Lollapalooza, there is truly something for everyone!

With cooler temps prevailing it was possible to forfeit the usual casual comfort for one's true style. Unfortunately, unabashed rainfall has a tendency to dampen anyone's fashion sense and by Sunday everyone was a muddled mass of mud. My only rant this season was the high level of cleanliness. Being that I am most often disturbed by the lack of clothing covering sweaty body odor it's odd that my plea would be for less cleanliness, but I am speaking more about the heart of music festivals. Even without buckets of precipitation and/or perspiration, festivals are dirty y'all. While I certainly enjoyed the perks of lounging between shows there is nothing quite like being right smack in the middle of a singing, dancing, hopping, swaying, jam packed crowd. I was rather disappointed by the number of VIP shoes that did not have one speck of dirt on them. Did people really spend the entire day swaddled in the comfort of the artist's lounges? The truth of that matter was quite disturbing.

The funky hair, the bright lips, and the all rock star black, this girl knocked it out of the park, Grant Park that is. One of my all time favorite Festival Fashion looks!

As we bid farewell to the Festival Fashion of 2011, I leave you with this simple, yet poignant reminder...

Toodles from this Festival Fashion loving Smalltownista!

SO THAT HAPPENED...

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:25:00 +0000

You may have noticed there were quite a few months of silence from this Smalltownista as I seemingly dropped off the face of the blogosphere. Well, it was not for lack of inspiration and ideas, but rather...

Wednesday January 12th, 2011

Ugh, why is my phone ringing? And look, it's 3:30 in the morning. Telemarketers. Who would possibly be awake for a sales call at this hour. Vibrate...what a fabulous notion!

Again, really, well this is seriously disturbing my REM sleep. Wait, why is a 312 number calling me...and is that the hubs phone vibrating from its charging perch?

Oh no, this must be some sort of emergency!!! Something must have set off my security alarm at work...did I lock the front door? check! Did I lock the back door? I feel certain this is also a check! From deep within my semi-conscious state I fumble with my iphone attempting to redial the 312 number, but instead happen upon this voicemail...

"This is the Chicago Police Department and a cab has crashed into your store front, we need a key holder at 2480 N. Lincoln as soon as possible."

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD

As I Pace in a panic, the hubs arises to ask me what the heck is going on. To which I reply in a distressed mumbling "a cab crashed into my shop"!!! At this point, no two people have ever dressed and brushed teeth faster in their lives. We round the corner to my shop's block and this is what we see...

What happens next is part adrenaline and part just plain amazing. I quickly assess the jaw dropping scene, realize it could have been way worse, and begin damage control: call my insurance company, okay the board up, clean what I can, come home, shower, and with chai in hand return to clean some more, come home, eat breakfast, call glass company to schedule an estimate for window replacement, post pics on Pelle Sana facebook page to inform clients of the news, back for more cleaning, and home again to nap while the hubs takes care of debris removal. While helpful if you ever find yourself in this precise predicament, it is what's missing from this mundane list that is curious.

At no point during this debacle did I have one single freak out! Now, this may not be considered amazing, that is, unless you know me. Coming from the person who can utterly unravel at the thought of assembling an ensemble for a Saturday night out, how is it physically possible to NOT have a massive melt down after this bizarre incident?

Turns out, Im not too shabby in a crisis. I credit this to the fact that incessantly sweating the small stuff prepares me for the actual dramatic stuff. Admittedly not the best way to shuffle through life, but we all have our faults and you never know when they may work to your advantage (this one time anyway).

Pelle Sana Salon was put back together again and my store front looks better than ever. Family, friends, and clients were so very supportive throughout the entire process. So yes, that happened and while it was certainly not a life & death matter, needless to say it sucked up tons of my time and energy, hence the extended absence of Smalltownista.

Toodles from this back in action Smalltownista.

THE ROARING TWENTIES: UHAULS & HAIR COLOR

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:56:00 +0000

July 28th, 2011 marked the last day of my roaring twenties and oh what a decade it was, a time line that could easily be measured in Uhauls & Hair Color.

As I stroll into my thirties it seems like an opportune time to reflect on the past decade. It started out a little rocky, hit a hight point in the middle, and thankfully remained pretty steady.

TWENTY
(Let's say brown with blonde highlights, it's difficult to recall)

* Moved away from my home state of Arkansas to the little hippie town of Flagstaff, Arizona. (Will never forget the first time I peered upon those mountain peaks, Uhaul in tow.) I took full advantage of living out West and explored the surrounding territories of New Mexico, Utah, California, Nevada, & Colorado.

* Began a four year career as a Beauty Advisor for Lancome. Loved that gig & miss it from time to time, mainly for the all the fabulous people I was fortunate enough to work with.

TWENTY-ONE
(Rich auburn)

* Fortunately for my palette, yet unfortunately for my waistline I discovered the wonderful world of Hefeweizen. (Oak Creek Canyon Brewery remains among my all time favorite places for a cold one, but nothing beats a Francis Kaner at the Brauhaus in Hot Springs, AR.)

* Topped out on a boulder at Buffalo Park in Flag. Had the necessary accessories, the shoes, the bag, the beau, but ultimately rock climbing was not for me and neither was the bf (he was one of the good guys though and I will always wish the best for him.)

TWENTY-TWO
(Blondie)

* Enjoyed being engulfed in my Religious Studies (gained a special affinity for Buddhism) and spending lazy AZ days at Clear Creek in Winslow with my bestie Steph. Everyone should experience a sunny afternoon lounging by a river that's meandering around a canyon.

* Began a love affair with Ryan Adams. The music in real life, the man only in fantasy land (before either of us were married of course).

TWENTY-THREE
(Brunette & Auburn, the darker side of moi)

* The third time truly was a charm when I declared my major to be in Religious Studies (after an eye opening introductory course) and graduated from Northern Arizona University with my BA, but was not ready to part with my life in Flagstaff so I hung around another year.

* Pitched my first tent while Camping at Canyon de Chelly, quite the magical locale and slept under the *stars* sans tent in Mexico. Apparently I really started feeling the nature vibe.

* Had the 'First Noble Truth' of Buddhism inked onto my back in Sanskrit. Told you I had an affinity for Buddhism. Wasn't quite ready to take up enough space for all '4 Noble Truths', lest we forget the 4th contains the '8 fold path' as well.

TWENTY-FOUR
(What can only be described as an horrendous shade of Beauty School Jet Black complete with random, nonsensical highlights)

* Packed up yet another Uhaul and headed to Nashville, TN where I completed 750 hours of Aesthetic training and attained my life long dream of becoming an Aesthetician. I Met some truly amazing women through my aesthetic course, one incredible chica who I considered a dear friend to this day.

* After 12 years without eating red meat I added white meat to the list & became a full Pescatarian but could never imagine a world without cheese so clearly Veganism is not in my future.

* Attended initial live music festival with bestie, Pris. Austin City Limits 2005 introduced me to a world I had never experienced and needless to say I fell head over heels or in this case Chacos. Also, purchased my first piece of art, a painting of Ryan Adams by Lamar Sorrento. (Pris spotted it at ACL, she has an excellent eye.)

* Later this year I paid for gas with change that was buried under my passenger seat...Hey, I'd say I had my priorities straight! (I was in my twenties so you are welcome to not pass any judgement.)

TWENTY-FIVE
(Brunette & Blonde combo year)

* Traveled to the Dominican Republic with Matty & Prissy for the most phenomenal vacation ever!

* Came full circle & returned to my home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas where I reconnected with a high school buddy who you may know as the hubs.

* Tied the knot with the love of my life, barefoot on the beach of Magen's Bay in St. Thomas surrounded by family, friends, sun, sand, & tiger lillies. Along with finding sheer bliss in the beauty of having a fabulous Mom in law!

* Teamed up with my beautiful Mommma Jane to expand her Yoga Studio into Nurture Day Spa & Yoga Studio and an entrepreneurial spirit began to bloom.

* Encountered the marvelous M's, my gails Marci & Melissa, two of the most fabulous friends a smalltownista could ask for in life.

TWENTY-SIX
(Sassy Brunette)

* Also known as 'the Summer of Judy's Yellow Boat' Good times with the Gails on Lake Hamilton that could never be duplicated.

* Premiere venture to Lollapalooza with the Hubs. HOT HOT HOT & LOVE LOVE LOVE!

* The hubs opened Grampa's Catfish House in Hot Springs, so proud of his successful endeavor. Adjusting to married life in a home of two business owners was admittedly tough, not to mention we entered into a life together as two more than fairly independent souls, but we made our way through and became a stronger couple for it. I wouldn't change a minute!

TWENTY-SEVEN
(Enter the Blonde Years)

* The Quarter Life Crisis ensues, but on the plus side my personal style was at it's peak.

* Smalltownista begins! Perhaps as an outlet to process said Quarter Life Crisis, hmmm...

TWENTY-EIGHT
(Darker shade of Blonde)

* Attended our Ten Year High School Reunion & was more than pleasantly surprised by the number of us that have remained friends. Shortly after, loaded up yet another Uhaul (okay, Penske) and headed to the hubs' old stomping grounds of Chicago! Welcome to the
Windy City .

* Zip lined through the Jungle along with many more amazing adventures in Costa Rica .

* An entrepreneurial spirit soared when I became the owner of Pelle Sana Salon .

TWENTY-NINE
(Lighter shade of blonde)

* The Cab Incident, post with more details forthcoming.

* Two very dear friends transformed into stunning brides & said 'I Do' to two very lucky guys!

* Savored a romantic vacay with the hubs in Barbados. I highly recommend this destination,
absolutely breathtaking.

* Continue to meet the most fantastic women & men every day through Pelle Sana Salon.

IN A NUTSHELL

* Lived in 4 states & visited/traveled through 23, halfway to seeing them all.

* Dated a handful of good guys, a whole lotta doozies, & married the BEST one.

* Dreams have been dashed & Dreams have flourished, but never ceased to dream.

* Burned, built, flooded, & rebuilt bridges along the way.

* Lifted people up & let people down.

* Suffered from a bruised heart, a bruised ego, & a few bruised ribs. All of which recovered quite nicely. (1)

* Lost myself, my senses, my sanity, & loved ones that were dear to me.

* Found myself, my senses, my sanity (from time to time), & kindred spirits that are dear to me.

* Had times when "the good times were killing me" and was lucky when the bad times didn't literally kill me. But mostly relished the Good Times...still do.

* Not sure if they have more fun, but tend to make better decisions as a blonde so maybe I'll stick with it for a minute.

* Held a grudge with a vengeance & let pride guide the sails.

* Spit that poison out & embraced forgiveness. Made for much smoother sailing.

* Made good choices, bad choices, smart choices, & dumbass choices, but they were all the right choices.

* Loathed & loved myself, usually simultaneously. It didn't hurt to learn some self worth along the way.

* Feared, anticipated, lived, & soaked up the moment. (Continually fighting the ever pervasive battle to be present.)

* Learned invaluable life lessons. The highest being that life is worthless without our connection to each other.

Well, I have hit the high points here and needless to say there were surely some low points and a number of untold adventures to boot.(2) We all know that regrets are a waste of time so there's no need to dwell on what could have been done differently and if I told my entire life story what would I possibly have left to blog about.

All in all, my soul is filled with nothing but gratitude for the years I have spent on this painfully lovely earth. There is no way to know what lies ahead, but I sure am stoked to find out! Toodles to my Roaring Twenties, I don't have to grow up but I can't stay here!

What made your twenties rock?

Toodles from this thirty & loving it Smalltownista!

(1) For the purposes of this post I did not delve into this relationship, but in no way, shape, or form do I take domestic violence lightly. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship please seek help.

(2) It feels selfish to leave out so many wonderful personal, professional, & spiritual accomplishments of those close to me as I would not be any one or any where without my loved ones, but self-reflection is just that I guess. If you are one of the incredible people in my life, just know I didn't forget about you and none of the positive bits would never have been possible without you.

THE BIG 3 OH

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Au Revoire twenties, you were fantastically fun while you lasted.

How does this Smalltownista feel about turning thirty? Well, I feel pretty damn good about it. The excitement of entering into a fresh decade is palpable!

Not to mention, the hubs outdid himself on my 30th Birthday Bash, which made the transition much more enjoyable. Afterall, birthdays are not so much about getting older as they are a celebration of life and I can't think of any reason not to celebrate MOI.

He even managed to pull off the most beautiful surprise...Jim White provided the entertainment and enlightenment for the evening. Could not have been more AH-MAZING!

Incredible friends, fabulous family, wonderful hubs, brilliant live music, and one hot party dress = the soiree of a lifetime. I certainly cannot think of a better way to ring in the next ten.

Toodles from this 30 year old Smalltownista!

TOP 10 LESSONS LEARNED: ACL 2005

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:38:00 +0000

The Top Ten list would not really hold a lot of water without a little bit of back story. In the fateful fall of 2005 my bestie Pris and I made our way to Austin, TX for three days of live music, otherwise known as, Austin City Limits. Whittled from an e-mail I sent to a friend shortly after the festival, here is a quick recap:

Our story begins at the Little Rock airport when Pris stopped to grab a coffee and the tall cowboy in front of us told the lady behind the counter to "get me one of them fat free hot dogs". Who in God's name would want a hot dog at 6a.m. (GROSS). The lady told him they were not on the breakfast menu, to which he replied "You've got a microwave, ZAP that dude". Thus began the quote of the weekend..."ZAP THAT DUDE"!

Day One:

After all the heat, and the walking, and my filthy dirty feet I was all but ready to give up. Seriously, put my ass in a cab, let me buy the album and listen to it in the comfort of my own air conditioning. I was miserable... enter the Black Crowes. And there it was, what that whole live music thing was all about.

Day Two:

We wised up and decided to bring a blanket and hole up in the shade uner a tree, which kept our spirits up tremendously. It also helped that we started drinking fairly early on, which became painfully obvious to all of us when we were full on jamming out to John Cougar Melloncamp, singing at the top of our lungs. That was around noon.

After a full day, Pris and I headed back to our blanket under the tree to meet Chris, our lovely host.

No Chris and No blanket. By this point, both of our phones were dead! So there we were, no host, not even a sign of him, no number, no battery, no address, no nothing. LOST!!! We (as in Pris) asked about 50 people for a battery that would fit either of our phones to no avail. We exited the park and had a rather odd encounter with some police officers. They gave us bottles of water and called us a cab because I believed I knew the name of Chris' apartment complex, Pris did not believe me. One of the nice officers walked us up the hill to catch our cab and according to Pris, I walked directly into a stop sign, I did not believe this. How did I not get arrested for public intoxication? Not in the least bit sure.

Poor Jose, our cabbie, we had him driving around in all kinds of circles. Turn here, no go back the other way! After Pris stressed the importance of my helping to keep a look out I decided to indulge in a cat nap. Somehow, completely out of nowhere, and clearly without my participation, Pris spotted Chris. That was him alright, walking down the street...on his way to the store...to buy mixers...because, yes, he was throwing a party. We finally made it back and it was yet again time for a nap. Needless to say, I missed the party.

Day Three:

All rested up for Sunday and thank goodness because Sunday ROCKED. Arcade Fire, the Decemberists, WILCO, and Coldplay, what a day. I was most looking forward to seeing WILCO and they did not disappoint. Coldplay was hands down the most phenomenal show, no surprise there.

It was 107 degrees and by the third day of 65,000 people stomping the same ground over and over, it was a dust bowl. The dust storm was so horrible by the time Coldplay's set began that everyone was covering their face with shirts and bandanas, even surgical masks. Have you ever heard 60,000+ people coughing at the same time, let me just say, it's not pleasant. Once Chris Martin belted out that first note, everybody forgot about the uncomfortable setting, and there was that whole live music thing again, that indescribable thing...it has the ability to unite the strangest of strangers in the strangest manner.

Incredibly aching feet, unbelievably sore back, and shoulders, limbs so dirty that sweat just turned to mud. Totally worth it! Getting lost and almost getting arrested, still totally worth it!

What did I learn from this wonderful new life experience?

Here's my TOP 10 LESSONS LEARNED...

10) Never wear jeans, way too f-ing hot!!

9) Why did I not bring my chacos? Stupid, very stupid

8)One Word...Blanket

7)Do not underpack, which I did very successfully

6)Write down important information such as the phone number of your host and the address to where you are staying.

5)Keep that information on your person

4)Go ahead and pretend to try to walk straight when a police officer is trying to help you

3)Do not be surprised if you blow your nose and what comes out is BLACK. (Gross by the way)

2)Remember to eat lunch especially if all you had for breakfast was Vodka and pancakes

1)Live music is totally worth it, all of it!

Just a few current thoughts on the subject, mostly regarding #9. See, you have to keep in mind this was '05, on the heels of my departure from Flagstaff and I didn't go anywhere in Flag without my Chacos! Also, I'm not sure why I did not add 'be sure your phone is charged' to the list, but in hindsight that was a fairly important factor.

Wow, five years later and my collection of concert tickets has expanded exponentially. All thanks to my bestie Pris for introducing me to the joys of live music and to the Hubs for carrying on the tradition!

That Austin City Limits weekend, hands down, changed my life forever. Dramatic, but true.

Toodles from this sentimental, music festival loving Smalltownista.

FESTIVAL FASHION 102

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:06:00 +0000

Unfortunately, Lollapalooza 2010 was not an impressive year for Festival Fashion folks, but in an effort to follow up
last year's post here goes...there may be more ranting than raving this time around!

First and foremost, there has never been and most likely never will be an accessory that garners as much of a negative emotion from my fashion sense as the Wayfarer. If nobody else is willing, let me take on the task of telling you that the Emperor Has No Clothes On! I am not completely opposed to bits and pieces re-emerging from the decade of my birth, but these are not flattering on anyone. In fact, they are quite hideous! My feeble mind simply cannot fathom why these neon plastic frames are so popular and quite frankly not even a highly rational individual could ever explain it to me. Simply put... Wayfarers need to go far far away. Thank you, that will be all.

Winner of the WTF moment was one ensemble was almost as odd as the aforementioned sunglasses...white washed denim short shorts paired with black knee highs. WTF? Even if it was weather appropriate (which it wasn't) how is that possibly comfortable. At least she was sporting flats so maybe it wasn't a total loss.

In Festival Fashion 101 I sent out a request for the fellas to keep their shirts on and I find it awkward to now have to extend this request to the ladies. Bikini tops with shorts and skirts are always sprinkled throughout the park, but this year took the cake. One lone girl donning only a bikini (there was no cover up in sight and trust me I was scouring the premesis for one). Don't get me wrong, I can see the confusion, Lollapalooza is held at 'Grant Park' and there is a jumbo water feature known as 'Buckingham Fountain' but upon the slightest bit of research one would come to realize that this ain't a water park people! Keep your clothes ON! Geez!

Yet another throw back to the 80's were friendship bracelets. And while I do have fond memories of the hours of entertainment a clip board and some thread could provide as a child, I have no desire to recreate such memories. Not to mention, friendship bracelets would most certainly clash with my Yurman. All in all though, it was a nice touch of nostalgia and the youngins pulled them off well.

It wasn't all bad, a few of my fellow femmes rocked some excellent festival gear. For those who can pull of the short shorts, kudos to you, you wore them well. I loved, loved, loved the array of rompers and was strongly considering wearing a romp myself. The only down fall was bathroom logistics. Porta potty + One piece = way too much time in the porta potty. Ultimately, I decided against it, but bravo to the fashionistas who wore them proudly.

All in all, I was sad there were not a lot of skirts and dresses, the flowy look must have been out this season, but rest assured it will return. Nothing beats swaying to the beat, plastic wine bottle in tow, while a maxi dress swishes the tops of your flip flops.

As promised, once uncovered I would share my 'Top 10 Lessons Learned' from my first ever music festival with my bestie Pris. In the midst of yet another move I came across the ACL '05 scrapbook so the list is forthcoming!

Have thoughts on Festival Fashion? Share them here or e-mail kristin@smalltownista.com, Ranting and Raving are both highly encouraged!

Toodles from a Music Festival Fashion Lovin' Smalltownista!

ONE YEAR LATER. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:26:00 +0000

It's hard to believe a year has gone by since we unpacked our Penske and embarked on a new life in the grand city of Chicago. What amazing things take place in only 365 days, big and small.

I have come a long way from the fearful smalltownista paying for my first solo cab ride with sweaty palms. Hopping the Red Line is no longer an anxiety riddled experience, but a daily occurance which allows me to read my newest book in peace, well minus the gospel ranting rider and the occassional stranger animately and feverently talking to themselves.

I learned early on that donning a wrap dress in the Windy City does not bode well for anyone involved (mostly moi)and Southern Charm proves to be dangerous without proper precaution. To my surprise, toilet paper can be found and purchased easily, yes, this was an actual concern of mine. Many small lessons have been learned accompanied by many adjustments having been made, and while I cannot say it's been a graceful transition I can pat myself on the back for having adjusted at all.

Then there are the big things! My entrepreneurial spirit soars as the new owner and operator of Pelle Sana Salon. A 'meant to be' tale of how life comes together in ways we never expect and how the universe provides when we are open to its abundance. A tale for another time perhaps! Needless to say, the city came alive once I had something of my own to strive towards.

While I'm not exactly city savvy...yet, I'm getting there. If there is anything I do quickly it is finding my comfort zone, but I figure year one is all about the basics. Check back next year, maybe I will have ventured further into the fruits of city livin'.

Forever a Smalltownista at heart I still miss home and crave the oddest experiences. What I would give to open a car door and feel a blast of fire breathing dragon heat on my face and sit on molten lava leather seats, roll the windows down until the steering wheel is cool enough to touch, then drive through Sonic for a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper after loading my trunk with 2 weeks worth of groceries. It's amazing the things you miss in 365 days, big and small.

What have you experienced in the last year, big or small?

Toodles!

WELCOME TO THE QUARTER LIFE CRISIS

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:31:00 +0000

Just found Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties today, plan on ordering and reading after lifting my self-imposed 'No more buying books policy'

Honestly, the title of this post was inches away from becoming the title of this blog and it is a very real thing folks. Very real, indeed. As the Quarter Life Crisis chapter is coming to a close for me, I am only now realizing how prevalent it is. Of course we have all heard of the mid-life crisis and possibly even witnessed it with our own eyes. Fast cars, hot lovers, erratic behavior, hey, wasn't that our early twenties?

The Quarter Life Crisis, on the other hand, is less widely discussed and sans all the fun symptoms of the latter. Here is my best go at a loose interpretation of this phenomenon:

*Mostly seen in, but not limited to ages 25-30

*Effects men and women whether swinging singles or contently committed

*Arises out of the agony of venturing to answer such questions as:
"What do I want from my life?"
"What do I want to do for the rest of my life?"
"What makes me happy?"
"Have I been wasting my time thus far?"

*The realization that everything you have worked towards up to this point, be it education, careers, etc. may not fit the mold you have in mind for your life NOW (talk about frightening!)

*Overwhelming guilt for wanting to take time to figure out the meaning of life and happiness when there are bigger problems in the world

By no means do I wish for a time when choices (especially for women) were not in abundance, but I must say, the options can be a tad exhausting. Does anybody else feel the pressure to not only provide for yourself and your family (if that's the case) but also to be happy enough to whistle while you work? Trust me, it's certainly better than the alternative, but whew. The biggest twist is that nobody is putting pressure on us, we are doing it to ourselves. Our generation is a whole new animal in the pursuit of joy, maybe it's a little exciting to see where the journey leads us.

(Side Note) What may sound like complaining is just me trying to suss out why the 4 most recent convos I've had with close friends leads me to believe the Quarter Life Crisis is not my experience alone.

While I am moving past said crisis, others are in the midst of it and boy is it rough. There is a stagnant quality to the Quarter Life Crisis as the fear of moving at all is debilitating. This is the place where taking a step forward could be in the wrong direction and starting from scratch feels like taking a step backward so it seems much safer to just sit still. Then you realize nothing is more frustrating than feeling stuck, it's like the dream where you're screaming but nobody can hear you. UGH!

Remember in high school, that overwhelming desire to be able to make your own decisions, then once off to college or out on your own thinking 'Yeah, this is what it's all about!' and somehow waking up one morning as an adult and yearning for those simpler days, the ones you couldn't pass fast enough? Well, welcome to the Quarter Life Crisis my friend!

So, here is my progress report: I love what I do and maybe it's dorky, but I am passionate about skin care. I meet and spend my time with incredible women every single business day. Feelings of inadequacy creep in, but it only pushes me to study and research more, which is a welcome task. To a reasonable extent my schedule can be flexible. I am happy enough to whistle while I work even though the likelihood of making millions is not on the table. Quite frankly the payoff of looking forward to my job everyday is much greater.

My degree in Religious Studies rarely if ever comes in handy when 'making the world a cleaner place one pore at a time', but it did instill a love for continued education as well as provide the groundwork for becoming an avid reader, student of meditation, and Yogini in my personal life. Not only that, but during that time I lived in what has to be one of the most beautiful towns in America, Flagstaff, befriended wonderful people that otherwise I never would have known, and found an independence of spirit that may have been lost had I stayed in Arkansas.

While I'm on this positive thinking kick (it's a new thing I'm trying out, we'll see if it suits me) I would like to offer some encouragement to my aforementioned buddies, who knows, maybe you can relate as well.

To my friend seeking inspiration: You are lovely and brilliant and you will find it, probably when you least expect it. Keep your heart space open (inside joke, had to do it, now you know I'm talking to you). Seriously though, your intentions are in the right place and when you're ready to move forward you will as beautifully and gracefully as you always have.

To my friend on the verge of taking the next step: Go for it. Find a way to moonlight doing or studying what you are interested in. Not that you have a ton of spare time, but start with a little meditation and see what arises for you. You are not too OLD to make a career change and your stamina thus far makes for one rockin' resume. You have shown your dedication and committment in a number of ways, so I have no doubt that you can do whatever you put your mind to.

To my friend searching for where to go from here: You have an amazing opportunity right NOW to move in whichever direction you want. You are talented and super personable, that combined with doing what you love will be explosive! You will find something that fulfills you because I know you wouldn't have it any other way. (And thanks for getting me posting again. Accountability, who knew it was so effective!)

To my friend on the cusp of a Quarter Life Crisis: You are amazing! You are so much wiser than I ever was at your age (that doesn't make me OLD by the way, just sayin'). You are on the right track and it is your turn to live your life for you! I can see you excelling at what you want to do and don't dismiss it because of unforseen events that may take place in the future. You may end up regretting it if you put it off. The struggle with finding out who you are and what you want is that the answers are constantly growing and changing, so be prepared for that little number as well (hence the Quarter Life Crisis bit).

If you are in the midst, on the verge, or currently recovering from the Quarter Life Crisis just know that you are not the only one and isn't there always comfort in numbers!

Toodles from a recovering Quarter Life Crisis Smalltownista.

SMALLTOWNISTA ON HIATUS

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Whew, this last week has been a whirl wind. . .

*Survive first week solo on the Dream Job. Check

*Clean house for Momma Jane's visit. Halfway check

*Bid farewell to the hubs as he embarks on sea side vacay. Check

*Imbibe one green beer for first St. Patty's Day in Chi town festivities. Check

*Prepare week's worth of lunch for work. Not even close to a check

*Top off latest read from massive book collection. Almost check

*Unpack from Road trip and do laundry for two. Check

*Catch up with a few besties via phone date. Check

*Find a place for at home Yoga practice in new routine. Working on it, but will be much easier and more convenient when new Yoga studio opens up, 3 doors down from work. Counting down the days, er, months!

*Bask in the Spring time weather teaser. Check

*Lend a helping hand to fellow city dweller. Check & it was fun to actually know where I was going well enough to give someone else directions. YAY.

Hitting my stride at said dream job is going to take a little time, but I will get there. In the meantime, this little smalltownista is on hiatus from posting. My focus for now is on work, the hubs, yoga, meditation, reading, and catching up with folks when I have a free moment. If there is any blogging to be had it will be few and far between. I hope to be back in the swing of things soon, but until then. . .

Toodles for now!

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY-"LIFE LESSONS FROM JIMMY BUFFETT"

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Today is a very fun post for me as I had the opportunity to interview my friend, very talented writer, and fellow Smalltownista, Lauren Sisson. Being a die hard Jimmy Buffett fan or parrothead I should say, Lauren has recently launched the blog Life Lessons from JB and it is sure to be a place for you to find fun, quippy, and informative posts.

Moi: What was your inspiration for Life Lessons from JB ?

LS: The idea came from a conversation I had with my mom and sister a few years ago about one album in particular, Fruitcakes. We joked that anything you needed to learn about life could be found in this album. I'm just kind of expanding the thought with the blog.

Moi: How long have you been a Jimmy Buffett fan?

LS: My entire life. I grew up in a family of Parrotheads. We're not really given a choice at birth. Some kids get lullabies, we got JB.

Moi: How many live shows have you been to?

LS: Not nearly enough. This show coming up in May will be my fifth show. I didn't go to my first one until I was 20!!! My parents, though they love JB, have never really been concertgoers. Myself, on the other hand, would go to a concert every day of the week if I had the time and funds....Tickets to Buffett are not exactly what I'd call 'cheap', but worth every penny. I'd LOVE to catch an impromptu show somewhere. He's known for randomly popping into his favorite haunts all over the world and playing an acoustic set or two.

Moi: Any pet peeves when it comes to Parrotheads?

LS: Sigh....Yes. Nothing irks me more than when someone claims to be a parrothead and I ask them what their fave album is and they say Songs You Know by Heart : Jimmy Buffett's Greatest Hit(s). Not that it's not a great collection of songs, it is. I'm just saying, you are short changing yourself if that's the only one you've ever listened to.

Moi: That begs the question, what is your favorite album?

LS: My fave album......I probably have three that rotate through the top spot depending on my mood. Coconut Telegraph, A-1-A, and Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes. My favorite song though is easy and never changes, Coast Of Marseilles. That harmonica hits me and I'm on the beach where ever I am. Coincidently, though....that song isn't on any of the three aforementioned albums, so go figure....That's the beauty of being a JB fan. There is literally a song or album to accompany any mood or occassion.

Moi: What would be your ultimate JB dream come true?

LS: *Checks her Bucket List... I would really love to watch a show from front row center. The closest I have come so far is 3rd row right. And that was amazing!! And to meet JB of course and have a convo about books we've read. But I'm guessing the former has a better chance of happening.

Moi: Interesting, why would you want to chat about books rather than music?

LS: I don't think a lot of people realize that JB is a pretty good fiction writer. And his autobiography is VERY good! I'm as much of a literary fan as I am of the music. It's very interesting to see how much more life is brought to the music and the books when you realize they share characters and stories.

Moi: Where would one begin on the journey into JB's written world?

LS: On the non-fiction side of things, A Pirate Looks at Fifty is a MUST READ!!! This man has led a pretty remarkable life. And if you are a book enthusiast, keep a notepad handy while you read to jot down references he makes to books he loves. I hear he is working on a follow-up now that he's seen sixty and I'm waiting not-so-patiently.

On the fiction side, start with Tales from Margaritaville. It's a collection of short stories, half true and and half sort of true. It's fantastic! And a very easy read. Perfect for margarita=sippin', lounge chair lazin' days.

Moi: What do you hope readers will gain by following "Life Lessons from JB"?

LS: Wow....I hadn't really thought about it. I guess for me, this blog is a way to combine a passion for writing and a passion for all things JB. His work has always been such a big part of my life. As cheesy and obsessed as that sounds. It's hearing songs that trigger memories of riding in my mom's convertible screaming the words to Volcano....And imagining my dad's mustache when I hear "Little Miss Magic"...You know? I just think it's a great thing that most people have heard of but probably don't fully understand. I think it's natural for most people to want to share things that touch their lives and to help others understand the influence. Maybe that's what I'm doing, here. Creating a new perspective on a great thing.

Moi: Thank you so much for sharing your JB knowledge, insights and enthusiasm. I am anxiously awaiting future posts from you. Keep the life lessons coming.

LS: Thanks Kristin! This is fantastic! You are the first person to show any interest in my depth of JB knowledge....Ha!!! Thanks for letting me share.

On a personal note, I have to thank Lauren for inspiring me to write my first blog post back in the myspace days (remember those). Before that introduction to the blogosphere all my thoughts and ramblings were stored in stacks of journals. Her posts were an inspiration to me and I am sure they will be for you as well.

Find Lauren's blog at lifelessonsfromjb.blogspot.com and follow along to see what life lessons you can learn from Jimmy Buffett.

Toodles from one Blog Happy Smalltownista.

ROAD TRIP, ROMANCE, & REJUVENATION

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Married life easily lends itself to the concept of routine. And don't get me wrong here, routine is quite a welcome change from the wild world of singledom. Reading a new book while the hubs is watching Sports Center is a past time I would not trade for anything in the world. Finding that 'private intimacy' Elizabeth Gilbert speaks of is an ineffable feeling. That being said, it's nice to shake it up every once in awhile.

So, that is just what the Hubs and I did this last weekend. We hopped in a rental car and high tailed it out of the city for a romantic getaway. I may have actually been more excited about the road trip than the destination. However, I was proved wrong once we woke up to the quiet town of Green Lake, Wisconsin, ordered room service before meandering around antique stores (not the hubs fave activity, but knows that I love it so scoped out the map for prime stores, too sweet). The day concluded with four hours of bliss at a lovely day spa complete with delightful massages and more room service.

Even though there was not necessarily a lot of Nature to be had on our outing as the lake was completely frozen and spring has not yet arrived in our neck of the woods, a quiet respite from the bustling Windy City was just what we needed. Old barns, silos, and windmills whizzing by outside the car window were enough to give me a hint of home (my southern home, not my city home).

Road trip, Romance, and Rejuvenation is a Routine I can could fall into anytime.

Toodles from a hopeless romantic smalltownista.

4 STEPS TO PACKING LIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:01:00 +0000

Here's the deal, I do not claim to be that great at much of anything, so believe me when I say, I am the Master of packing light. I know it's hard to believe from a smalltownista that has managed to cram pack two closets, not to mention accumulate an embarassing amount of accessories, but it's true. Five days in Mexico on one back pack and I literally had to purchase a large suitcase for our wedding because it was such a lengthy trip. Up until that adventure, my luggage consisted of a carry on rolly bag. The hubs can even attest to this one. Now, I do not recommend going off the radar bat sh*t crazy about packing as I do, but I will share a few tips of the trade.

You may be wondering why packing light for a holiday is important. Well, if you don't mind lugging around your body weight in travel accoutrements, paying out the bum for lb. overage fees, and sufferring from general exhaustion after hauling all your junk from departure to destination and back again, then quite frankly, you need not read any further. However, if you do mind, then here are my secrets. . .

Packing light is ALL about planning ahead accompanied by a few tips and tricks that you are sure to tweak according to your own personal style. (Quick side note, the tweaking is a lot of fun and can typically involve retail therapy.) Your action P.L.A.N. consists of the following:

P: Plan ahead. Scope out the weather predictions for the time of your visit, yes, even if you are headed to the beach. Will the evening cool down require a light cardigan? Better to know now before you find yourself wrapped up in a beach towel shivering at sun down.

Piece together an idea of an itenerary. I am not a fan of having every moment jam packed with planned activities, unless it's a visit home of course, but because planning is key, a few clues are helpful. Even if your days consist of sheer nothingness, where will this nothingness take place and will you need to be dressy or casual? Will you need adventure attire? p.s. Ziplines can be the end of an outfit so dress accordingly.

To my fellow curly haired girlies, if you are travelling somewhere humid, leave your straightening arsenal at home. I feel this bares repeating, if you are travelling somewhere humid, leave your straightening arsenal at home!!! Seriously, straightening my hair on a spring break trip to Cancun made the 'Top Ten Most Hilarious Moments" list, lesson learned, lesson shared. Moving on.

L: Layout, leverage, leave it. Layout your available options, your must haves and possible outfits in the making. I prefer to sketch out my portable wardrobe, but again, I do not recommend for everyone to be as extremely anal retentive as I am about this process. Plopping everything on the bed or hanging them on the back of your door is just fine. If you are super tech savvy, I also like the Stylish Girl Iphone App for easy style planning.

Ladies, the layout is what sets us apart from men, like my hubs, who prefer the grab and dump technique. The key to laying out all your goodies is to be sure you do not forget any pertinent materials and to use a little leverage.

Leverage versatile items to slim down your bundle o' style. If you wash a perfectly non-stained pair of jeans after every wear, well, I have never met you, probably because you are always busy doing laundry. One pair should last you a couple of days so no need to go overboard. Can you pair a top with jeans for day time and with a skirt for evening? If so, you've got yourself two separate styles from one top!

Utilize your versatile togs to their fullest (TranquiliT is a classic line for this) and you will squeeze the most out of your suitcase space. Wrap dresses are an excellent choice as you can twist and tie them any way you like for a completely new look each time. Turn a dress into a skirt, turn a skirt into a top, once you start playing around with your layout you will come up with all sorts of creative alternatives.

Leave it behind. If you enjoy the comforts of your own home enough to want to bring them with you, (robe, slippers, pillow, cuddly blanket, etc.) maybe just stay home. I hate to be harsh here, but we all enjoy such comforts and part of the whole experience is to get a little outside of our comfort zones. Even if your opulent accomodations put your digs to shame, there is no place like home. However, if it is not necessary to your overall vacay experience, leave it behind.

If it is something you are waivering on, leave it behind, it did not make the initial cut or you would not be waivering. It is okay to let it go, trust me, the last thing you will be worrying about while basking in the glow of freedom is, 'ooh I wish I would have packed that extra tank'.

A: Accessorize! I am not talking about every chunky necklace in your jewelry drawer, I say this only because I have fallen victim to it myself, too many jewels can you weigh you down. If it is in your carry on, and your good stuff better be, it is slowing you down sister, lighten it up. A few key pieces will spice up any wardrobe, turn your 'over swimsuit wrap' into your 'dining out wrap' in a snap. Voila.

Scarves are my all time favorite travel accessory, they are versatile and weigh less than a pair of Tory Burch flats. Sport a scarf as a head band, a top, a wrap, a belt, a skirt, a bracelet, a coverup, and if roomy enough it can double as a light blanket. Truly a packing light Smalltownista's all-in-one dream come true.

N: Never pack more pairs of shoes for days you will be away from home. Shoe lovers, I know you don't like to hear this, but think about it. . .logically. Generally speaking, shoes take up precious packing real estate and can prove to be on the heavy side. Think, hiking boots, tennis shoes, chacos, UGGs, Wellies, etc. Those suckers are not light. Pare 'em down, no pun intended!

Never pack full size toiletries, unless you are headed to a special occassion (yes, I broke this rule for my nupitals). If you can't find your 'can't live without' products in a travel size, pour, scrape, fanagle some way to transfer it into an empty travel size bottle or jar or what have you. Whatever you have to do, down size. Yes, even if you do not plan on checking them through security. It may tack on a little time on the front end, but the pay off will be worth it.

This is where I have to give a little lee way. . .

*I tend to cut out a pair of jeans here or a pair of shoes there to make more room for books. If you are not a big reader or just choose not read on your adventures you can certainly rearrange your packing accordingly. I haven't quite gotten on board with the Kindle yet, but I am sure it would be a space saver. *

* Of course there are times when planning ahead is not an option, but if a last minute trip is an emergency what you will be wearing will be the least of your concerns. If it is a down to the wire business trip, not to worry, you are sure to have your every day posh and professional garb at your fingertips.*

With your action P.L.A.N. in place and a few tips to work with you will never be stuck struggling to keep your shoulder in its socket again. Happy Travels!

Fellow Smalltownistas, if you have any tips, tricks, or tidbits on packing light feel free to share your insights.

Or if you are spinning your tires in an over packing rut, I am happy to help, no seriously, I could answer questions about packing all day. Just shoot an e-mail to kristin@smalltownista.com

Toodles from this packing light Smalltownista.

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY-ELIZABETH GILBERT

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Okay, so not quite the love affair I had with Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, but I certainly could relate to Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage a little bit more. Sure, Ms. Gilbert is working through her thoughts on marriage number two, but I was just as skeptical about marriage number one. It was no surprise that as a 'child of divorce' or as Ann Coulter would prefer, "Future Stripper" I had no fairy tale notions associated with marriage. Fortunately, I find myself very happy and fulfilled with my hubs. I should probably clear up the fact that I have never been nor am I currently a 'stripper' but thanks for vote of confidence Ms. Coulter.

Elizabeth Gilbert brings the same raw emotion and honesty she did in her previous best seller and somehow managed to keep a humble approach to her writing style. I still felt as though I was in the midst of sussing out life and love over a glass of cab with a close friend. Quite a feat following the monsterous success of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. Don't expect the same fireworks, but Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage is definitely worth the read. I will leave you with one of my favorite passages:

"We yearn for private intimacy even though it's emotionally risky. We yearn for private intimacy even when we suck at it. We yearn for private intimacy even when it's illegal for us to love the person we love. We yearn for private intimacy even when we are told that we should yearn for something else, something finer, something nobler. We just keep on yearning for private intimacy, and for our own deeply personal set of reasons. Nobody has ever been able to completely sort out that mystery, and nobody has ever been able to stop us from wanting it." (p.261)

Toodles from this Commited Smalltownista

WHICH WOMAN IN HISTORY INSPIRES YOU?

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:52:00 +0000

March is National Women's History Month and with oodles of awe inspiring, fabulously fascinating, wildly passionate, and extraordinary women in history. Which woman or women in history inspire you?

I have to go with fashionista and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Nelly Don. Ever heard of her? I had not. That is, until viewing Nelly Don: A Stitch In time two years ago at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and quite frankly I was a little upset that she is not more of a house hold name. She was the first female self-made millionaire for goodness sake!

Nelly Don single handedly changed women's fashion forever when she overruled the dowdy frock with stylish and detailed dresses. Not to mention her personal life was anything but a snooze fest, an affair with a senator, not to be topped by being kidnapped and subsequently rescued by the mafia.

Not only am I inspired by her talent and ingenuity, but also moved by the care she expressed for her employees. She was the definition of the benevolent CEO, she soared to great successes while keeping her worker bees happy. Wikipedia's blurb states that "Nelly Don manufactured 75 million dresses from 1916 to 1978 making it the largest dress manufacturer of the 20th century. They were one of the first companies to apply assembly line techniques to clothing manufacturing. It was reported that she only had to dismiss one employee in the entire history of the company." That is one incredible woman!

As if you could not tell already, I highly recommend checking out Nelly Don: A Stitch In timeand I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.

Toodles.

PINK PIE PLEASE

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Nothing says 'Family Bonding' better than a good ol' fashion round of Trivial Pursuit, fondly dubbed 'T.P.' around our kitchen table. It has recently come to my attention that not only is T.P. a great way to learn fun facts, but perhaps even a way to glean valuable life lessons.

See, to answer a T.P. question correctly you have a few choices:
A) The answer is obvious
B) The answer is in the question
C) Utilize Deductive Reasoning
D) You have an educated guess

More importantly than any of the above, you have to go with your gut and you simply must not second guess yourself. As soon as you begin backing away from your instincts you are in trouble. More often than not, the correct answer was the first one you thought of, but the more you fumble around with other choices the higher your chances of dropping the ball, or pie as the case may be. Refraining from second guessing yourself is quite possibly the Cardinal Rule of Trivial Pursuit.

Which leads me to my point about life. Second guessing ourselves is a pain staking waste of time and ususally our first instinct was right. My pops likes to say "there are no wrong decisions, whatever you have decided got you to where you are now, and you are exactly where you need to be." I am inclined to agree with him and if such an idea is so, then second guessing does not do anyone any good in the pursuit of trivia or in life.

DEAR CHICAGO

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:33:00 +0000

Dear Chicago,

You're a rascal. I must admit I was leery of you at first, but you have proven yourself to be very kind indeed.

I knew that opportunity was abundant in your fair city, but was unaware I would be fortunate enough to find my perfect fit. Leaving my previous business behind was a difficult task and left me unsure that I would find anything at all comparable. Enter... Pelle Sana Salon with its eloquent owner, charming physique, and heaps of character, it's precisely what I was seeking. Suffice it to say, I have found my dream job.

With my licensing squared away, my dream job training under way, a heat wave upon us (35+ degrees, woohoo), and an ever supportive hubs on my arm this city is starting to look more like a playground than a death trap.

Chicago, kind Sir, you are beginning to feel like home.

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY: WELLIES

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:30:00 +0000

What did sufferers of Chicago slush storms ever do without wellies? So glad I did not have to find out. Thus far, my wellies have been the most useful purchase of the year, of my first year in Chi Town to boot.

My friend, the very talented artist, JlWren recently pointed out how inviting it is to revert back to childhood puddle jumping while sporting a pair of wellies. How true it is. The city seems to be alive with child like grown ups mulling up and down the streets awaiting the next great puddle. Even if they are not expecting it.

I have certainly fallen victim to what I refer to as 'black slush', similar to 'black ice' back home in Arkansas, black slush can be pretty tricky. It likes to blend into the pavement, especially the pavement in the mouth of a crosswalk. Do you see where I am going with this? Yep, you think you are stepping off the curb onto the street, but alas, you plunk down into 6 inches of slush instead. Black slush is a tricky beast indeed and would be quite dangerous, not to mention gross, if not for lovely protective rubber footwear.

My advice to smalltownistas and city dwellers everywhere, strap on a pair of stylish wellies, wait for the next round of rain, and get to puddle jumping.

Toodles from one wellie loving Smalltownista

AN ODE TO MY MATTY

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:04:00 +0000

Never one to shy away from my lot to live a life submerged in an abundance of strong women, I love my girls. Never do I have trouble voicing my adoration for the hubs, but today there is another man in my life whom I simply must dote on.

My Matty, well I have to share him with what seems to be half the world, but nonetheless, in my eyes he will always be my Matty.

Matt and I have been besties since the first day we met, over fourteen years ago. We lived across the street from eachother and our moms introduced us in that awkward "Kristin will be attending your school in the fall, you two should get to know eachother" type of way. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship indeed.

We have been through everything together and have stood side by side through thick and thin. From bad relationships, bad ideas, bad fashion, bad hair (okay that was probably just me) to great loves, great travels, great accomplishments, great ideas, and great hair (okay that was probably just Matt). We have been oceans apart at times, but our friendship has never faltered. Matty and I share a special bond that can only be garnered from simply growing up together, and grown up we have.

Through it all, I must admit, Matt is the friend (everyone has one) that always has it soooo together I feel honored just to be allowed into the sphere of his awesome presence. That may sound a bit grand, but Matt has more presence in his little finger than most people will eke out in a lifetime.

If you have yet to gather, Matt is clearly fabulous, but also handsome, kind, lovely, well traveled, well spoken, and well dressed making his irreverant sense of humor (very much akin to my fave author David Sedaris) all the more delightful and hilarious.

Having called Manhattan home for over four years now, Matt has been my number one go to on life in the big city. He never fails to administer the most useful advice and always puts a smile on my face by pointing out those simple facts like we both take a train to work. Standing on the platform is our equivalent to being under the same moon! For a spell, life seemed to be whisking us into very different worlds, but life, in its infinite wisdom seems to have put us back onto eerily similar tracks.

My Matty has met every goal he has set his sights on and I am so proud of him for landing his dream job in NYC (even sweeter since we now both live in a city, are both in love, and both have our dream jobs). We have come a long way from carpooling to school, walking to the race track, building snowmen, sneaking cigs, and forming our own definition of what it meant to be 'cool'. I would not trade one memory or want to miss out on a single future moment!

Cheersies to you Matty! I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being wildly successful.
Thank you for being you and for sharing that with me!

Toodles from one lucky Smalltownista.

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY- THE HUBS

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:12:00 +0000

Alright, alright, I love the hubs everyday, but it seemed appropriate to gush about him since today is our three year wedding anniversary. If not for his patience, support, and loving kindness Chicago would be one lonely slab of concrete. It is amazing how places and experiences are brighter when shared with someone special.

If relationships are Roller Coasters with ups and downs, never knowing what is around the bend (which is pretty much how I would have described dating when I was single), then marriage is a Ferris Wheel. There are still ups and downs, but the ride is much smoother and the view from the top is always worth the time it took to get there.

Kudos to the hubs for putting up with my neuroses daily, for being a loving and affectionate partner, for being the left brain compliment to my right brain, for being himself and for sharing that with me.

Toodles, from one happily married Smalltownista.

p.s. Oops, I meant to post this yesterday, so let's just pretend like today is Wednesday.

WHAT I'M LOVIN' WEDNESDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:47:00 +0000

Nothing shimmies me free from the throws of a fashion rut faster than a little Vintage shopping. We all pass through fashion transitions, some more gracefully than others, and we all need a sturdy shelter for safe passage. Maybe it's your little black dress, your grandmother's pendants, or your tride and true hiking boots, mine is Vintage slips dahling. No matter which direction the fashion winds are shifting, I can count on the comfort of my Vintage slip collection. As a trend, they may have come and gone, but for me, they will never go out of style.

Recently my friend Cass and I hit some off the beaten path boutiques and Vintage shops (yes, this was the shopping day when I left my wallet on the kitchen counter) and I was inspired out of a fashion foxhole.

Vintage (or bargain for that matter) shopping is not for the faint of heart. You will not see a sea of mannequins draped in the latest looks, but you are sure to utilize your creative flair. There is sure to be lots of digging, mixing, matching, as well as trial and error, vintage sizing can be tricky. Of course the end result, when you are heading home with a reusable bag stuffed with unique and unusual goodies, is worth it.

My favorite haunts are locally owned Vintage shops, but I also enjoy perusing goodwills and antique stores. You would be amazed at the jewelry, bags, scarves, and brooches you can find at an antique store. Besides accessories, I do not suggest Vintage shopping online because again, the sizing can be tricky.

If your style is feeling stale, in the midst of a downward spiral, or just a slight transition, from student to professional, associate to manager, or a new relationship status, take your trend temperature and check into some retail therapy. When done with patience, Vintage shopping can reap massive rewards for the teensiest of budgets. Or simply slip into your go to pieces and feel your confidence and creativity flowing.

Toodles from a Vintage Wearing Smalltownista.

BE A TRANQUILISTA

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:16:00 +0000

My copy of Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play arrived Saturday afternoon accompanied by a yummy bag of Numi White Rose Tea. With tea in hand, I set to delve into this tasty treat and ended up devouring it completely. I could not put it down, I wanted to soak up every morsel of knowledge she was kind enough to share with her readers.

Author, designer, do-gooder, teacher, and entrepeneur, Kimberly Wilson , has outdone herself once again. I constantly refer to her first musing, Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat, and feel certain I will do the same with her latest masterpiece.

You simply cannot go wrong with her fun and sassy writing style sprinkled with plenty of functional info. Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play is inspiring and clever from cover to cover. It is a must read for every Smalltownista.

Toodles from a Tranquilista inspired Smalltownista.

THE PLAY OFFS = THE GOLDEN GLOBES

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:41:00 +0000

As the hubs and I settled into our usual Sunday routine this evening, (him watching football, moi organizing my closet, books, dishes, etc.), the evening took an interesting turn. Typically the excitement and screaming at the tube comes from the living room, but tonight it was coming from the bedroom. Get your mind out of the gutter because I am referring to The Golden Globes. While the hubs gears up for the Super Bowl contenders, I gear up for my version of the competition, THE OSCARS, and tonight is the Play offs = The Golden Globes .

First of all, Ricky Gervais as host of the Globes, could I be any more ecstatic! Certainly not, he is hysterical. The hubs was even pleased with his humorous attack on the americanized OFFICE.

Quick recap of my thoughts on tonights Play offs (in no particular order):

Monique for Precious: Love it. Acceptance speech: phenomenal, moving, and inspiring. The gratitude expressed to her hubs made me a little teary eyed.

The Hangover as best Comedy/Musical: No words to express my enthusiasm over this acknowledgement. When do comedies beat out musicals? Hardly ever, well, I have not researched this, but according to my recollection, not very often. Storyline was hilarious and relatable (to an extent) and I am happy it got a little recognition.

Julianna Marulies for The Good Wife: Yes, I like it. It is set in Chicago and I think she is doing an excellent job in this role. Very serious, tons of facial expression acting, and did I mention it is set in Chicago.

Michael C. Hall for Dexter: Need I say more? If you have followed this series, as the hubs and I have religiously, then there is no doubt that he was more than worthy of this honor.

Drew Barrymore for Grey Gardens: Always been a fan of Drew and think she has been underappreciated, but in this particular category I was rooting for Joan Allen. Allen's portrayal of Georgia O'Keefe, well, I can still feel it in my bones. Nonetheless, Grey Gardens recieved the praise it deserved. Any film based on the innovative notion of Documentary filmmakers makes my heart sing.

Mad Men: Really? This was my biggest disappointment of the evening. Don't get me wrong, I like the show and all, but at least three competitors (Dexter, House, Big Love) are extraordinarily better. Share the love I guess. Which leads me to. . .

John Lithgow for his role as the Trinity Killer in Dexter: Brilliant, horrifying, and all things that lead to terrifying nightmares, and all from the guy that made us laugh in 3rd Rock From the Sun. Clearly he was pick for this one.

Robert Downey Jr. for Sherlock Holmes: I must confess, I agreed with his wife that Matt Damon would win, but was easily persuaded otherwise after his entertaining acceptance speech. Humble and hilarious, (difficult to pull off under pressure), and did you see his bod in that movie, rockin'. Okay, besides the bod, he devoured some serious dialogue.

Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart: The Dude Abides! Have yet to see this film, but have no doubt that Mr. Bridges was more than worthy of his standing ovation at The Golden Globes tonight. As the gal that is always on the edge of my seat chanting "thank your wife, thank your hubs, thank your family" I love, love, love that Jeff Bridges immediately not only thanked his wife, but made sure the camera got a shot of her, kudos.

I was blindsided by Sandra Bullock's win for The Blindside, not that she was undeserving (in fact the opposite, she has certainly paid her dues) but my money was on Gabourey Sidibe for Precious. I am a sucker for a sensational newbie. However, once again, kudos to Sandra for the sweet and heartfelt cheers to her hubs.

Meryle Streep for Julie & Julia: I enjoy humility, possibly over any other characteristic, but how does this amazing woman maintain such grace after soooo many awards. I have no idea, but I am awestruck by the fact that she seemed ligitimately surprised to win. Although, she is an incredible actress, hmmm. After the show she spilled forh my new favorite quote, "It's not hard to be humble, it's hard to be confident." Food for thought.

Martin Scorsese for the Cecil B. DeMille Award: How has this not happened already? And how humble were his words? Every single word he spoke about 'I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille' is true about him. There are no words for this phenomenal filmmaker, his films speak for themselves. If you are ever at crossroads on your Netflix queue, you can never go wrong with a Scorsese.

I guess everyone was aware that Avatar would scoop up Best Motion Picture-Drama, but I had my heart set on Precious. Once again, I am a sucker for the sensational newbie. Both films are original stories, which are commendable, and even though Avatar has been more widely viewed, Precious is an incredible story that needed to be told.

Sofia Vergara from Modern Family was by far my favorite Fashion Specimen from the evening in Carolina Herrara. Her dress, attitude, and confidence were fabulous.

I know I did not cover everybody, but these were the standouts to me, and the Super Bowl is on its way dears.

Smalltownistas may not have a team of makeup artists, hair stylists, agents, and publicists in our daily lives, but we still have a team of people that help us get and ourselves together. Family, besties, spouses, mentors, four legged friends, whoever you have in your life that encourages you to be, dream, and aspire. . .send gratitude to all of your energetic collaborators.

What would your acceptance speech consist of if you were acknowledged for a prestigious award?

ON A SERIOUS NOTE

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:43:00 +0000

I know I usually blabber on about frivolous and fun topics, but on a serious note, the earthquake in Haiti has caused massive devastation. The death and injury tolls could never begin to measure the amount of sufferring. Surely you have also been moved by the heartbreaking stories and photos.

If you are interested in lending a helping hand, Haiti Earthquake Relief-Network for Good is a one stop shop for links to popular organizations.

Also, Stillerstrong , Ben Stiller's charity for schools in Haiti, is redirecting all donations to immediate relief.

To add the Compassion International Haiti Relief Updates (seen in left sidebar) with link for donations to your blog, facebook, or twitter CLICK HERE

Please post any additional information or links you feel would be beneficial.

TREAD LIGHTLY & CARRY A BIG HANDBAG

noreply@blogger.com (Healthy Skin Enthusiast) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:41:00 +0000

I have always been a tiny tote carrying gal, but in leui of a lifestyle shift, I am singing a different tune. My new motto in the city is "Tread Lightly and Carry a Big Handbag." Passionate about purses, also known as, a Crazy Bag Lady, it seems time to pare down from my numerous small bags in exchange for fewer, but larger ones. Also, after I left my wallet on the kitchen counter for a shopping spree day with my friend Cass, the last minute bag switch is no longer in my favor.

Why would life in the city require a larger shoulder accessory? It is the lack of a personal vehicle that has left me lugging around all those extras that previously tumbled about in the gypsy wagon. My lovely little hybrid was dubbed the 'gypsy wagon' for obvious reasons. Often, it looked as though I lived as a nomad with all the junk sliding around in the floor board. Needless to say I have ditched a lot of the excess items, but there are still those essentials required to be on my person.

Items that have made the transition from wagon to bag include, but not limited to: Sunglasses with case, Reusable shopping bags, Sweater, Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic = bottle of water (sad, but probably a good thing), Lipstick Pepper Spray - Silver (this is a new addition), A good book (currently the compact, Holidays on Ice: Stories by David Sedaris), Ipod = Iphone , and as for my Yoga Mat , well, it's handy, but not in my handbag.

If only I could get my hands on that magical Mary Poppins bag, I could have a good read accompanied by good lighting at any given moment. Wouldn't that be marvelous! In the meantime, my neck, back, and shoulders are slowly adjusting to this new necessity, which reminds me of another new addition, Aveda Blue Oil , for sore muscles.

Of course all of the above goodies are in addition to those regular musts, such as wallet, keys, and mentha lip shine.

Are you a fan of the oversized handbag?

OR

Do you toss your all your extras in your car?

Toodles from one treading lightly and carrying a big handbag Smalltownista.