A Night of Cosmos, Cupcakes and Sex
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.29.08, 10:19 AM)
To clear up any misconceptions about my nightlife with the above title, let's just say tonight we're celebrating tomorrow's premiere of Sex and the City. The girls wanted to refresh their memories of Carrie, Big, and the gang, so we've all decided to have a marathon and celebrate accordingly. Not only are we bringing over the entire series to keep us occupied, but we'll be mixing Cosmos, having Virago catered in (they love their sushi in Manhattan!), and really being girls by going to Gigi's and each picking out a cupcake...or two. The entire country seems to be on the edge of their seats for the opening of this movie. And while the clothes are amazing, the scandals are juicy, and the drinks are free-flowing, what we all really want is to visit with old friends. Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte were all us in some way or another, and being able to see into a little bit more of their lives is what's drawing us to the theater in droves!
Product Junky
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.28.08, 1:29 PM)
I'm asked weekly who does my hair. Well, compliments of Avery at Rodney Mitchell, my coif is kept trimmed and in decent shape the majority of the time. I am a firm believer that the reason it manages to look slightly healthy is all the torture I do to it on a daily basis. Ironic I know, but with the four products that go on in generous helpings, and then the hairdryer followed directly by flat iron, it's a wonder my hair hasn't started to resemble that of a broom. In an attempt to reverse all that damage and have the "Pantene" hair I just know is lurking somewhere deep below, I've cut out the heat. While I can't live without all my serums, moisturizers and goos, I dropped the dryer and straightener from my routine. The result? Lots of waves and a very unpredictable amount of volume. Today for instance, it's raining. This means I have an afro. No joke. I should post a photo just to prove I have big, crazy hair. "But it's for gorgeous, healthy hair in the future," I keep telling myself as I notice people stopping in the streets to speculate if the mop on top of my head is a wig, the beginnings of dreadlocks, or just simple, bad hair.
Cpl. Justin Cooper
Posted by Heather Burchfield
(05.27.08, 12:32 PM)
It’s hard to lose someone at any age, but it makes things harder when that someone was only 22. Granted, he was a Marine sniper and team leader fighting in Afghanistan. He served two tours in Iraq, and he served this third go-around as a volunteer. His family and friends all knew he would be in harms way, but there was something different about this fellow, who made everyone think he would be back. He had this invincible spirit and was the toughest, mentally and physically, person I had ever met. He was shot above his armor while going to the aid of two other soldiers.
Time For a Little Dress Up
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.26.08, 3:18 PM)
Ok, so I know I've recently said I'm a Tshirt and jeans kind of girl, which I definatley am, but every once in a while it's nice to throw on a really cute, casual dress and be done with it. Is there anything more simple? It's literally an entire outfit in one. It looks stylish, put together, and is completely effortless if you find just the right one! This season I've noticed tons of tunics and simple sheaths. They look adorable...on everyone but me that is. I'm shorter than almost everyone I know, so a tunic on one person is practically a full-length dress for me! Save going to the kids department and shopping in that section, my only hope is to find something not so trendy that will provide the same put together, "I didn't do anything to look this cute" kind of dress. In comes Anthropologie to the rescue! Each season their look gets updated, but is always flattering and feminine on most everyone. The dresses hug the right places and are forgiving in other areas, as well! Now to just find the right pair of flats to go with every dress I purchased...
Patience is a Virtue, But Bad Hair is a Sin
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.22.08, 2:52 PM)
Recently a friend, who will remain nameless, got a haircut that was extremely cute the day of, but has since grown out after a week and needs a little update. Not that I personally think it looks bad, but she's complaining that she already needs a cut. Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone that can afford to get their hair cut at a decent salon every other week. Sure, guys can go to the nearest Supercuts and walk away unharmed, but I wouldn't trust my hair to a $15 value cut. A very reputable stylist in Hillsboro Village heard of my dear friend's plight, and after contemplating the situation suggested the Jessica Simpson HairDo extensions. I have to admit my first thought wasn't a good one. Jessica Simpson making hair extensions? But when I found out she did them in conjunction with Ken Pave, and watched a how-to video, I would even like to try them myself! That is, if I ever get butchered and need a miracle ASAP.
ADD...or Just Ready For a Change
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.21.08, 1:00 PM)
Lately I've been desperately seeking new activities. I refuse to sit inside on a beautiful evening and stare at a screen watching reruns any longer! Scanning Craigslist, I've been jotting down music instructors near my condo. I would love to take up the piano again (after a 15 year hiatus). Or, maybe I'll go in a totally different direction and begin guitar lessons. You gotta love the portability of a guitar; I mean, you just can't tote your piano to a friend's house whenever the mood strikes. All that said, I've also been searching the bookstore shelves for a different genre of books than I typically read. I have started to write more in my free time...what little I have. Does all this mean anything? I know I've read somewhere that multi-tasking in this way is a sure sign of boredom. Perhaps I'm just ready for bigger changes all around!
Start Your Day with Mac and Cheese
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.20.08, 10:04 AM)
This weekend we decided to have a fun, girly day and start it off right with brunch. Having never been before, Marche seemed like the perfect option. A French Bistro serving up an amazing assortment of breakfast and brunch items, it sounded too good to be true. We didn't even have to wait on a table, being whisked straight away to a nook overlooking the bright morning sunshine. Heaven! The Lattes were strong and sweet, and we being so indecisive we ordered a bread basket to tide ourselves over while we pondered. I could have made a meal of only bread and accoutrements! Little containers of Nutella, peanut butter, honey, butter and jam were served alongside fresh, homemade bread. After our dishes arrived the feast began. We decided to share the Truffle Mac and Cheese and the Omelette stuffed with chicken, cheese and asparagus. Too bad I couldn't have saved room for dessert. If everything else was any inclination, it would have been swoon-worthy, as well!
Jeans Friday
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.15.08, 4:00 PM)
Every Friday at work something wonderful takes place. Not only are bagels catered in for all of us slaving away in front of a computer screen, but we get to sit there clad in a pair of blue jeans. Oh, the freedom! Seriously, I'm not even being sarcastic - I look forward to this day the entire week because of jeans and bagels What I've come to realize though, is that I really don't want to wear the jeans that they would prefer in the office. My favorite pair is faded perfectly; the kind you wear with flip flops and a Tshirt. But I'm not complaining, I'll wear my tailored jeans and sit here munching on cream cheese with a little bagel thrown in. After all, Saturday is only one more day away, and I can wear pajamas all day if I choose!
Premier Language
Posted by Heather Burchfield
(05.15.08, 3:38 PM)
I wanted to let everyone know the phone number for Premier Language company that was featured in our Briefs section in this month's issue. It's (615) 957-0773. They are happy to work out summer foreign language sessions for you, your friends or your family.
The Fall of an Empire
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.14.08, 11:06 AM)
After seeing webcasts, watching recent episodes, and hearing stories both from the news and online, I have to go ahead and assume that Oprah has lost her mind. Now, I realize I may make many people mad by making that assumption, but let's look at the facts for a second. Within the last few months, she has publicly stated she has the power to heal, pretty much telling the world she thinks she's a god. Yesterday on her show she had a "doctor" come in to channel everyone's past lives. I'm sure Oprah thinks she was Cleopatra or maybe even Joan of Arc. The lady has done wonderful things. Actions that have changed people's lives in the best possible way. Unfortunately, I think it may all be going to her head. I'm going to stay tuned to find out.
Hungry Girl
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.13.08, 2:40 PM)
Have you visited the Hungry Girl website? Not only is it really funny, but now they have a cookbook out in bookstores. The book is actually worth buying! I don't know about you, but I'm not one to keep weird ingredients around the house. When I look at a Rachel Ray cookbook, I don't ever have the majority of the ingredients, and her recipes almost always take more like 2 hours, not 30 minutes. Maybe I'm alone in that area...or maybe I'm just normal and don't want to stand by the stove mixing and adding and sprucing up my food; I want to eat it! The Website (www.hungry-girl.com), and now book, takes a healthy approach to food, but delivers it in a way that most people would like. No crazy recipes, no tofu and fennel, and lots of chocolate and tasty dressings! Can't beat that. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Tempeh sandwich, but when I'm cooking for others, I'm not going to go to organic and holistic on them!
Life's a Beach
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.09.08, 5:46 PM)
Laying out all day in the sand, listening to the waves crash against the shore, is such a relaxing experience. It really helps put life in perspective. Then you check your email. Suddenly, reality comes crashing in, instead of those peaceful waves you were only moments before admiring. Why is it that no matter what you do to relieve some stress, whether is be yoga, massage, or just vacationing near the ocean, chaos and the corporate world are always right at your back door, waiting impatiently to be let in? Well, I've decided to live more stress-free, no matter the cost. When you really think about it, does it matter which wine you serve with what entree? Well, it doesn't matter to me anyway. And honestly, if someone doesn't care for the dessert I chose, I guess they can go and get their sweets elsewhere. I'm through worrying about what others think. It's time to watch more sunsets, read a few more books, and stop fretting over whether or not I'm dressed perfectly for each occasion.
Mother's Day Gifts
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.07.08, 7:44 AM)
Mother's Day is coming up in less than a week, and if you're like me you've spent some quality time in the mall lately searching for the perfect gift to get your mom. I couldn't think of anything to get her this year that I hadn't already given her in Mom's Days past, or birthdays or Christmas for that matter. Instead I opted to take her on a girls' trip to the beach. A long weekend with our toes in the sand and our nose in a book is the perfect way to say, "Thanks for being You!" Plus, it's an added bonus to be able to participate in the gift yourself! I can't wait to eat some seafood and drink a few tropical cocktails. Oh yeah, and get some semblance of a tan on this snow white skin of mine!
Organic Footwear?
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.05.08, 1:36 PM)
After getting back into Nashville, I spent the majority of my time outside of the house since the weather was so nice. I traveled back and forth between various coffee shops, bookstores, and boutiques, seeing what the latest and greatest was. One trend I kept noticing happened to be on the guys, not the girls, everywhere from Hillsboro Village to BelleMeade. Their shoes looked like the version Ked's made back in the early 90s with no shoe laces. Just slip-ons. They may have looked odd, but it became amusing to see just how many males had caught onto the trend I knew nothing about. Venturing into Feedback on Belmont Blvd, I spotted an entire wall of the canvas shoes. Tom's - Shoes for Tomorrow was posted in big, bold letters above the display. They were inspired by shoes worn in Argentina, and some of the profits of each shoe purchased goes to children who currently do not have any footwear. Sounds like a worthy cause to me!
Travel Arrangements
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(05.01.08, 12:02 PM)
One thing you learn when traveling frequently is to pack items you're really going to need for the trip. Something that I didn't anticipate when coming to California was the need to pack my own food. Surely Cali will have tons of healthy snacks at their airport. That's what I thought this morning when preparing to leave the hotel, anyway. After checking my many bags, getting through the hassle of security, and finding a seat wedged between two people also waiting to fly south, I had really worked up an appetite! Unfortunately, the San Diego airport doesn't even compare to Nashville's, and the only option was a muffin from Starbucks. Needless to say, I'll be packing plenty of protein bars for my next trip. Even though the west coast claims to be organic, all natural and healthy, the only organic thing I came across during my stay was the all natural sugar in the sweets every bakery in the city seemed to be selling in abundance. Perhaps all the health enthusiasts are in North California? I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
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