Caroline's Closet Presents, the Closet

ML has been asking me for photos of our new house. The thing is, even as the furniture is placed and the boxes emptied, I don't know that photos are doing the place justice because, frankly, there's a lot that still needs to be done (don't tell my husband) -- dining room table, more than 10 items to hang on the wall, etc.

Anyway, the point is I realized that the one room I am ready to show you is my closet. My wonderful master bedroom closet. EJ very selflessly gave me the entire space. It's the first room that has been fully set up.

As you may have noted from the updated profile photo - Caroline finally got her closet.

Je T'Aime, Paris

So it's been pretty hectic what with going to France for a week, moving into our new house, the long weekend. But believe me, I'm not trying to make excuses, just explaining myself a bit. Now on to the good stuff.

France was a wonderful experience. Friends have been asking me and EJ what we liked the best and all I have to say is, "all of it!" I didn't care that the euro was kicking my butt and stopping me from buying $300 Repetto shoes (at the actual Repetto store, no less! Mon dieu, it was beautiful). I didn't care that a bottle of water was $6.00 - I really loved the whole experience. The most exciting part of checking out the way women in Paris were dressed was that they generally looked like peeps in New York. The weather was beautiful - sunny during the day and cool at night with no rain for a week - so women donned RayBan-esque aviator sunglasses, roman-style, strappy flat sandals and casual dresses. There's not really a lot of crispness in the general style of clothing as I see here in Columbia - it's more drapey linen. Surprisingly, I didn't see one scarf. As I said, it was warm weather, but from what I've been reading in Lucky, the Spring/Summer scarf is popular here in the U.S. Maybe it was just too hot.

So that's the news from the fashion capitale du monde. I really needed to get that one out so that we can now move on to my new shopping focus: the house! More on that to come. In the meantime, I leave you with this little shot from the streets of Paris.

Get 50% Off Now at Nau

It looks like after just one year the environmentally-conscious high-end retailer NAU is going out of business. What does that mean for you and me, my dear readers? 50% off, yo! Now you might be able to buy one of those super-cool, streamlined jackets they sell. I stress the word "maybe" because in the case of the price of these jackets, one-half off might not make too much of a difference. I suspect the discount will get deeper as they get closer to having to completely shut down ops.

What does this mean for the bigger picture? Well, I guess the green movement is important to many, but not when it comes to paying $300 for a jacket or $150 for a jean skirt. Or perhaps, since the founders of NAU were apparently Patagucci defectors, Patagonia and North Face do indeed have a stranglehold on the big-ticket jacket market.

I would like to formally credit Smiles with sending me the information about this sale. For those of you who know him, how awesome is it that he's the shopping source?! Smiles would like you to note that if Nau is out of the color of the item you'd like to buy, try another color. Another tip is that it took me about 4 tries before my order was actually processed online. So stick with it little shopper bees!

Buy a House, Go on Vacation in France

What's the most logical thing to do when you've sunk the bulk of your savings account into buying a new house? Why go on vacation to France, of course! Phooey on the weak dollar, I need to eat some cheese.

Ok, so that's not really the thought process my husband and I had when we planned our brief trip to France many months ago. In fact, at that point I'm not sure we fully realized that if we planned to buy the house we were then looking at, we'd have to close about 2 weeks before our big trip. Quelle dommage, as they say.

Anyway, for those of you who haven't seen it about 1 million times, here's a shot of our new house. Picture it w/o the palmetto tree, please (i.e. don't get attached to that thing because it's coming out!).



It's on Park Street in the historic neighborhood, Elmwood Park. I love this house, y'all.

As for our France trip, we fly into and out of Paris and for the weekend, we'll take the train to Besancon, which is in the Franche-Comte region. As in comte cheese. Oui, c'est vrai.

At this point, the primary concern is how to pack. EJ insists we pack light in order to carry on, and thanks to the exchange rate I can't go nutty shopping in Paris, so the question is: just how many scarves do I bring?

Who Needs New York When It's All Happening in Colatown?

That's right, I said it. But with a night like last night, it's totally true. Here's what it encompassed. At 6 pm EJ and I met at the Columbia Museum of Art for the Runaway Runway fashion show. Put together by The Columbia Design League, the show was open to the public to use recycled and repurposed articles to create apparel. They ended up having a ton of people come to see the show - and something like 71 submissions - and it was so great to see such a mob come out for something like that. Unfortunately the show didn't start until a little after 8 pm, at which point EJ and I had to leave to go to a dinner in Elmwood Park, but we were able to catch all of the outfits as they had all of the models walk the runway together in the beginning. There were dresses made of neckties, CDs and cocktail napkins. Furthermore, the models were young, old, big, little, male, female and even some cutie little kids were up there strutting their stuff. EJ and I agreed that we felt proud to be Columbians at that show.

But like I said, we couldn't stay for the entire night since we were off to the next event -- dinner at the G's. Now LG loves herself some fresh fleurs, so we decided to swing by Publix in the Vista to grab some tulips. Guess who's shopping at Publix? Tracy Morgan. And guess who decided to give Tracy a ride back to his hotel? My husband. For some reason, I was mortified and couldn't even look the guy in the eye the whole time which was fine since he was sitting behind me. With him was his lovely fiancee Tanisha, who is described in most of the photos of them that I've seen online as his girlfriend but he introduced her as his fiancee so maybe I'm announcing some scoopage here?

Once we dropped off Tracy Morgan and his fiancee Tanisha and EJ settled down off of his star-struckedness, we came to the G's house where the whole wonderful gang was celebrating the end of their latest shoot. Oh yeah, the G's are two of the four partners that run the ever-so-cool, Mad Monkey, a production company based in our Cola, SC. I get the proud privilege of working with them, so does EJ, but most importantly they are wonderful friends and soon-to-be neighbors in Elmwood Park. Holla!

Not bad for a Thursday night, wouldn't you say?

Reasons to Love Spring in Columbia, South Carolina

1) It starts in March(ish)

2) Sweet tea

3) Chicken salad

4) Skirts

5) Sandals

6) Outdoor seating at the Publick House

7) All the events that are happening in April - oyster roasts, fashion shows and the ballet, OH MY!

Kiehl's Products Like Bars of Gold

Tonight I opened the tube of Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub I bought while in NY two weeks ago for work. Well let me tell you it took me straight back to the stress and ultimate high of purchasing Kiehl's products at the L'Oreal corporate shop a couple of years ago. Let's just say I had a friend who worked there, and let's also just say that she hooked me and others up with the ability to buy Kiehl's products at discounted prices around and after the holidays. I am still scared to fully disclose the nature of my connection.



Why so petrified? One of the women who worked in that store was a complete stickler for the rule that the corporate store was/is for employees only. Walking in there was akin to standing outside Mars with ZA so many moons ago trying desperately to seem like we didn't want to get in when in reality we were standing on newspaper dispensers to get noticed and ultimately chosen to go inside (I'm petrified, but I still really want it to happen! = I want to buy the Kiehl's products with a company discount, but I really don't want to get busted doing it, risking humiliation and - egad - the inability to buy.)

So I got to thinking about a brand and all that it does to build its reputation and get us to be such loyalists that there are now certain Kiehl's products I put on the same pedestal as bars of gold - the PP facial scrub I just mentioned, the musk perfume and the creamy eye treatment with avocado. Is it because I was able to buy it at a discount for a limited time frame that I now covet it so, or is it because that woman was such an impasse I now consider it a point against her to have purchased any of the aforementioned products? Either way, it's genius.

Nana Handbags by Sally Peek

Ok so I've been scooped by the Free Times, nonetheless I felt I had to write about Sally Peek and her incredibly funky line of handbags, Nana. I'm sure you can guess who her line is named after; well as it turns out, each style of bag is specifically named after a woman in her family. How sweet is that?

Today CC and I went over to Sally's to purchase some cutie items from her Spring line. Here's Sally - how can you not want to buy something from her?

And here are some shots of her workshop.

And here is C, doing some damage.



Supporting Sally's business, and therefore my wardrobe, is something that just feels good. She's such a friendly, creative person, there is zero guilt involved in buying a new bag per season.

At a winter sale hosted by her cousin, I bought this little number - a Sally bag - for myself.



Today, I sprung into Spring with this style - a Mombo (which, by the way, is her Mom's nickname). Look inside!



Ahem, subtle hint: Mother's Day is May 11, which is just about a month away.

Men in the Women's Clothing Section

I've been meaning to write about this topic for quite some time. Gentlemen who accompany your ladies on shopping expeditions,: we salute you indeed. Many men, my husband very much included, would never dream of going with their gals into store after store only to be asked, repeatedly, "Do I look fat in this?"

Being a supportive, couple-oriented kind of a guy, however, does not give you free reign to get in my way when I happen to be browsing the racks near your loved one. In fact, please get out of my way. You tend to walk slowly and not pay attention to the fact that you're in other people's way. Why not take a seat on the couches made specifically for your purpose?

I guess it gets me so hot because I am acutely aware of the opposite situation when I'm in the men's section with the hubs. Furthermore, I make sure to get out of a guy's way if I am by myself shopping for my man.

Ok, so do we have a deal?

Sprint's New $99 Per Month Plan

It's happened - Sprint finally did something right! You may have seen the commercial with the CEO introducing the $99 per month for unlimited internet, text and phone calls. Well I'm writing this post today to tell you it's true. About one week before the commercials aired I had to increase my Sprint monthly plan to $200 per month because I was going so far over my minutes due to my current self-employed status. The next thing I know, those commercials are airing and I am furious. After stewing about it for the past two weeks I finally just called Sprint to determine if they were indeed going to screw me, but no - I was able to change my plan to the 100-bucks-a-month option and I couldn't be happier. Thank you very kindly, Sprint.

From Pirate Boots to Pine Tree Pollen

It was great being back in NYC last week among the truly fashionable and fabulous, but it was incredibly jarring coming back to Colatown after 10 days in the city. Mind you, I am settling in here and am loving the pace of life and the weather. But NY is definitely a helluva town.

The pirate-esque flat boots seem to be holding on over there. Boots over the jeans, but for the most part, they're flat or with a little heel. Fashion-forward indie guys and skaters are still wearing skinny jeans, but I didn't see too many women with the skinny jean and flats that was so popular a little while ago.

Meanwhile here in Columbia we're covered with a layer of yellow-green pine tree pollen. It's everywhere! It's all over our cars - inside and out - and all over our clothing and shoes and interestingly it gets inside too and as a result, my desk is covered. I feel for people with allergies. This past week it was in the 70s so the shorts, golf shirts and running shoes abounded on the guys around town while the girls were wearing shorts shorts and super huge sunglasses. It's tiring, but we are a university town. I didn't go to the Carolina Cup, but I have a feeling there was a lot of strapless and a lot of minis. I'm sure Jolie and/or Skirt! will have some photo coverage soon enough.

Colatown

Here are some things that fascinate me about Columbia.

Regular-sized trucks, monster wheels
Now this is a regular siting -- I guess it's the everyman's version of a monster truck because it's your basic pick-up with ginormous wheels. Odd.

The "did I go to high school with you?" stare
No, you didn't. I promise...but you may have seen me around town>?

Our local DHL delivery person
He or she can never get it right. All you have to do is leave a sticky note on the door - what's the big deal? And you wonder why I haven't fully embraced online shopping?

Charlotte's Shopping Web

Well I found another shopping oasis this weekend with KH - Charlotte, NC! We were able to spend the night and it was a grand time indeed.

We dined in an establishment proudly boasting that they serve as much local produce as possible called Ratcliffe on the Green. It was quite good, our only complaint was that there were too many richy-rich items on the menu like fish stuffed with foie and wrapped in bacon! I ordered it and it was magical, but all those additions ruin the purpose of ordering fish, wouldn't you say?

The strolling and shopping scene is happening in the neighborhood called Chantilly (...Lace and a Purty Face...yes that song was on a tape loop in my head the entire time there). There are a handful of cute shops and a few restaurants - enough that you can spend a good hour, including eating lunch, toodling around.

Then we were off to Eastland Mall where our good friend Katie Spade was having a shoe sale - there were a number of styles for only $50! Good grief, lady - what are you doing to me?

The next day we drove out to Concord Mills which has an Off 5th (the Saks "outlet") which was running a "buy more than one item, get the second 50% off." Well shoot, more shoes here I come! If it wasn't officially official before that I had enough, it certainly should be at this point.

My current favorites are the KS lemon metallic flats (pictured below) - I mean, how could I resist?

Trendspotting: Spoons

I was thinking today about the concept of saying something new about a piece of work, a movie, a program on TV, a play, a work of art - anything, really - that's already been overly reviewed. My pal EW seems to have hit the nail on the head when it comes to giving a fresh perspective on an aspect of culture that is fairly mainstream.

I don't necessarily have the knack for saying something new about what's out there, but as you know, I'll definitely say something! On that cheery note, I share with you the following.

- Prints of spoons are increasingly popular. When I visited KH in Boston in December, we went to Madewell, the new retail chain started by folks from JCrew. I bought a white Tshirt with a print of blue spoons (wore it today to a brunch with the book club girls). Futhermore, this tote bag is currently for sale at Target.



Need I say more about the spoons? Ok, I'll say just one thing more -- I think the reason the print is so popular right now is that it's becoming indie cool to be a foodie. There are a million books and memoirs about the culture of food in the US, people's travels and food, etc. Furthermore, the organic craze has come and gone and now the local food movement is gaining ground. Food is cool, hence eating utensils en vogue.

- I've been saying this to a lot of people here in Colatown, so I figured it's high time to share it via the blog: I believe that if Columbia, SC put as much effort into business and the economy as it does into politics, it would be thriving. It's very strange to me that Litchfield Beach seems to have better restaurants and shops than Columbia.

Shopping for a Candidate

Every so often I feel the need to prove I am not a completely shallow shopper. At times I shop for worthwhile endeavors - no, not "green" items - presidential candidates, people!

I'm hearing from my pals in NYC that their local media is making our beloved state look pretty scary, with peeps speculating on the Obama-Muslim connection and the like, so I think it's time this intrepid reporter send a little progressive news back to the homeland.

According to The State, "thousands" of people gathered for the annual King Day rally at the State House on Monday for MLK Day. The NAACP invited all the presidential candidates to the event, but the democrat candidates were the only ones to accept the invitation. I was one of those thousands there on Monday (in fact, I'm convinced The State captured me in a photo of the crowd, but that's not the point here) and I can tell you first hand that people were engaged with the various NAACP speakers, and thrilled to be there to hear the three candidates speak (each had 10 minutes).

Here's a photo of the crowd from my perspective:



Around me, kids were being hoisted onto shoulders to get a better look at the candidates and campaign volunteers were exchanging cellphone numbers to meet later that week to go door-to-door in Orangeburg.

Ok, ok...it wasn't a total utopia. There were some protestors:



That one was for my Yankee pals!

Kicks-ing It

Cruising further down Devine Street away from Van Jean and towards Earth Fare you'll come to the shoe store Kicks. Right now it's having a 90% off sale and I was the lucky buyer of a pair of brown sandals for a mere $40 - they were the last pair and originally priced at $172. This place is definitely the best shoe store in town. There's also Sophie's in Five Points, but the shoes at Kicks are a little more stylish. The point is, get your clothing at Van Jean and your kicks at...

Van Jean Wilder

Last night the book club was all abuzz with - among other topics of conversation - the super sale at Van Jean, located at 2734 Devine Street. Now I know I haven't been able to consistently blog about the latest and greatest in shopping because well shoot, I really don't go shopping in Colatown as much as I used to. But don't you worry my friends - I haven't totally abandoned the faith. In fact, I was thinking about doing a little run through of all the worthy shops in the Five Points and Vista area because heck, it's not like Lucky Magazine is coming here anytime soon.

On that note, please get yourselves over to the Van Jean sale. The word on the street is that this store was started by a woman who used to work at the Columbia Museum of Art. Well it's no wonder because her store is truly an apparel museum. Key brands include the wonderfully preppy Milly, the trendy with a vintage flare Mayle, urban cool Vince and 3.1 Phillip Lim (current trunk show).

Now Van Jean isn't the kind of store I can stop in every month and pick something up, but when there is a sale it is more like a saleabration. I spotted a Vince royal blue cashmere sweater that is currently selling online for $235 for $112. Yes people, this is a 50% - 75% off sale.

I'm Once Bitten Twice Shy

Guess who rang in the New Year with some major purchases? Ok, it wasn't really the new year, more like one week into the new year, still it's been a while since I went shopping so this was a big event.

As most of you know, I recently branched out on my own as a consultant/project-based worker. Well my cute little clunker - Dell laptop from 2001 - really wasn't cutting it as the primary means to supporting my small business. So I took the plunge this past weekend and bought a MAC book. I'm finally one of the coolies! Now I can sit in the airport and tippity-type away while proudly displaying the apple all aglow. Ooooh! Does this mean I need to upgrade my iPod that only plays every third song? More on that to come.

I was so thrilled by the fact that just one hour in Best Buy jetted me into the modern day, technology-wise, that I decided to treat myself to a visit to Steve and Barry's (which I like to call Steven Barry's). Can you believe everything in the store was $9.89? Everything. So I finally invested in a few items from SJP's line, Bitten. It's funny because to look at them now on the website, it looks like I paid more for the Tshirt, but less for the two pairs of pants. Here's what I got:







If you can bear going into the miserable mall, go check out the SJP stuff and if you can bear the video "interview" they have running on a loop in the store with Miss Sarah herself, then you deserve to pay less than 10 bucks for any item of clothing.

Shoes: Let's Get Em

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to get to visit my BFF KH in Baahston. It was, as they say, wicked awesome. I was able to get all of my holiday shopping done for the family and for myself - wow! - five new pairs of shoes. Look out, Kelly.

So check out these cute little numbers dear readers, and guess which two pairs cost only $20.00 each.









I have to call attention to these boots because my most faithful of readers will recall when I blogged about my beloved black boots that I finally had to dispose of after years of fashion fabulousness. Well it looks like these will be the wonderful replacements! The bad news is I'm not sure I'll be wearing boots in SC as much as I did in NYC. I guess these will have to be saved for visits back "up North."



I think this photo that KH sent me yesterday really says it all.

Please

Here's one from the Metrolina Flea Market that I loved too much not to grab.

Don't Shop at igourmet.com

Dear readers, I know I am usually not so negative, but when an online retailer royally messes up, I must use this platform as a forum to express my utter disbelief in how inept certain dot-coms can be. Herewith, the message I had to send to igourmet today, via its website. I think it explains my frustration.

'Tis the season!

igourmet,

Please ensure that I will finally be removed from any possible email lists and from your database(s) entirely. I believe it was 2 or 3 years ago that I ordered gifts from your website for my father and for my in-laws for Christmas. The cheeses all arrived late and spoiled. I have since then asked to be removed from all future mailings.

Here is a copy of the email I received from your company on 12/6/06 at 9:40 pm Eastern:

Thank you for your email. [my email address] has been removed from the igourmet.com email list.
Please allow 5 to 7 days to be completely purged from all lists.
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Best regards,
Customer Service
igourmet.com

However on 11/25/07 I received another promotional email from your company. Today, 11/27/07, I called your corporate office and spoke with Tom at 10:44 am who assured me my email address would be given to the tech team for removal. Please ensure this happens AND that I am removed from any and all databases your company maintains.

Flea Market Done Right

Last weekend, armed with a list of furniture we needed for our apartment, I headed out to Charlotte, NC with MB for the Metrolina Expo "Antiques Spectacular" Flea Market. Apparently, this Flea does an antique special show over the first weekend in November (maybe also April?). Well let me tell you peeps, I got three pieces I am so happy with. Please, step into our apartment and I will show you around...

This sweet little upholstered chair is exactly what I was looking for in the bedroom. Priced at $269, I got this little jobbie for $75.



This hall/entryway table is made from pieces of an old house: old Wainscotting boards (the top), parts of staircase banisters (the legs) and room molding (the trim). Cool, no?



And finally, this is possibly my favorite (unfortunately not my husband's, but I think it's growing on him) - an old shoe display rack with swivel wheels on the bottom that allow for 360 mobility! Doesn't it look cute next to that little side table with lamp? Hooray for the brown wood corner of this room!

Signs

Sign sign everywhere a sign








I really love these photos, but have been wondering "where" to save them in case a mega virus attacks my laptop. So here you go, y'all - a little housewife blogging ala 2003.

Playing with Flickr

Mainly for business reasons, but also because I might as well finally motivate, I am playing with Flickr to become more familiar with its features.

You are therefore welcome to view the trip I took with my cutie husband (sorry, please allow me that one "schmoopie comment") to Costa Rica this summer.

Costa Rica 2007

Calling All Computer/PDA Gadget-Heads

For those of you who don't know, I have recently decided to become a consultant. It's a very interesting process for someone who has only been working full-time jobs all of my life since graduating college, and it brings into question some major purchase decisions. I am realizing I now need a printer (unnecessary before when I had access to "the office" machine), a PDA (unnecessary before when the full-time employer issued me the Treo or Blackberry) and probably a new laptop.

The problem is that I am not a gadget-head. I was dying for an iPhone before they came out, then all those articles were written about how they're not necessarily the best option for business people (no encryption, etc). I see a Best Buy advertisement in the Sunday circular for a printer and I convince myself almost instantly that's probably the best way to go.

Now I know I could do a review on CNET, but maybe you, kind reader, could help me out with some tips. What are the best options for laptop, printer and PDA for someone who will have to produce a lot of basic Microsoft Office documents (Word, XLS), will probably have to purchase Dream Weaver and manipulate HTML, and will probably also have to download a handful (and by the way, my definition of "handful" is five) of other programs and applications in order to support various clients?

Gadget- and Tech-heads: Please post your comments below!

Ciao for Now

Yesterday I was sitting out on our deck emailing and chatting with friends online. It was the perfect day to just sit outside and sip cawfee all morning and let me tell you, it got me missing Ciao for Now big time!

Dear readers who live in or near Manhattan, please get yourselves over to 12th Street between Avenues A and B and visit Ciao for Now (aka, "The Ciao"). What a wonderful place to spend an hour or two reading a book or the paper, talking with Kevin about bikes or skateboards and visiting with the people in your neighborhood.

Here's Kevin and Amy - the owners of the Ciao - with their youngest, Atlas:



How can you resist? Get over there now, order an iced coffee, a grilled mozzarella sammich and finish it off with a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing (a sample of the ones we served at our wedding)! You can thank me later.

What's Her Secret? It's All the Same Bra! (aka, Bras: You Buy Them, I Blog about Them)

Dear Caroline,

You're not much of a bra shopper I don't think, but I went into Victoria's Secret for the first time in a few years and they are literally selling ONE KIND OF BRA. It is a padded pushup bra, in about 40 different colors and THAT IS IT! I am not exaggerating. Caroline, please discuss and, if possible, explain.

- Pondering the Pushup

Dear Pondering,

You're correct when you note that I am not much of a bra shopper. Furthermore, I do not own one single under-wire bra because there's not a need. But I feel for my buxom betties and can share the following story with you.

Way back when I started wearing a bra, Victoria's Secret was truly the be-all, end-all of bra shopping. I remember a bright pink lace push-up/demi-cup number I ordered from the catalog that I proudly wore until the elastic was stretched way thin. That was when they still sold bras in A cup sizes. Fast forward to around freshman or junior year in college and I was in the store, trying on bras and convincing myself I could find one that worked for me. I finally settled on a purple satinesque under-wire job. But apparently I hadn't really looked closely at the size because once I brought that number home and ripped off all the tags, I realized I had purchased a C cup size.

Had I convinced myself it was the right size? Were there trick mirrors in the store that made me think I was a size C? Was the sizing all kinds of wrong to convince young women they are "sexy" because their knockers are bigger than they really are? Needless to say I was ashamed and pissed!

That was the last purchase I made at VS until last year when I visited EK in DC. We were strolling around the Georgetown area and she mentioned she needed some bras. So I traipsed in there with her just to be totally horrified by the merchandise. Everything is scantily constructed, there are a bunch of potions and lotions everywhere and it's all aimed at what I guess to be a 12 to 23 year-old age range.

The moral of this story? We are not the target audience of VS, my dear Pondering. I mean, have you seen those nutty "fashion shows" of theirs with the models and the wings? What the?!

Maybe all VS bras are the same, I can't say for sure, but I can tell you the cotton underwear still does me right (I bought some that day in DC). Still, my true love for all things underneath is Calvin Klein. Finally, my well-stacked sisters tell me the Elle Macpherson bra is where it's at.

South Carolina State Fair

Like a fool I forgot my camera, but last night I went to the SC state fair with MB and AB!

Things I ate (listed in order of consumption): Elephant Ear (fried dough) with powdered sugar and cinnamon, Corn Dog with mustard, Fried's French Fries with vinegar.

Rides I rode (also listed in order): Pharaoh's Fury, Zipper, Slingshot, Fireball, Bumper Cars.

We also checked out the amateur and professional art, the small stock animals and birds and the exotic animals, the giant sand sculpture and the prized flowers.

A good time was had by all!

Go Cocks!

No, I'm not using my blog to advocate the male appendage. My friends, I am now a college football fan. More specifically, a University of South Carolina GAMECOCKS fan. Yes, that is the mascot and yes, there is a ton of play-on-word paraphernalia one can purchase and no, I haven't gotten any of it yet.

I did, however, buy myself a nice little garnet-colored tshirt with a subtle palmetto tree (state tree, hullo!) in the corner accompanied by the initials USC. I know I didn't attend USC as a student, BUT my husband did for both undergrad and grad school and this is my hometown now so look out Friday Night Lights!

Last week I had the amazing pleasure of attending the USC vs. Kentucky game. I was graciously hosted by JR and PB who are master game-goers and tailgaters. I ate and drank myself silly and it was the most fun I've had in a looong time.






Here's the gang tailgating before the game (it was pouring rain at that point).








And here's me and JR enjoying ourselves wholeheartedly with the guy who has seats behind hers mugging it up behind us.




Finally, the pinnacle of the evening - we beat Kentucky big time and here's the scoreboard setting off fireworks (yes, I did say "we").

College football - who knew?!

KnowLabel

Ok, I am freaking out about this website. Check out the prices of the tops! Check out the prices of the outerwear!

This website was just featured in the "Best Bets" email from New York Magazine which (shocker) featured possibly the most expensive piece for sale on the entire website. Yes, it's a nice necklace, but you can buy a full outfit for the same price on this site.

Go there now: KnowLabel!

Fall/Winter Coat 2007 Review

This past week I had two people email me about coats so I figured tis the season to blog about outerwear!

Nordstrom.com seems to be the hook up online with the Coat Shop. Question is, what's a girl to do in order to keep up with the trends without dipping into her children's college fund? Here are some affordable alternatives. These are all $200 or less.

Calvin Klein Peacoat














Nine West Wool Melton Blend














And this is my personal favorite - Guess Sculpted Coat. Look at those sleeves! Genius.














Button, button, who's got the button?

KH introduced me to the Soia & Kyo line in her investigations for a new coat. Look at all these button-riffic coats! Equally as important, look at the brand's trippy website. This red number with the exaggerated collar has my vote for KH . How funky fresh can you get?

Facebook

By the way, if you're wondering why I've written a few posts in one night it's because I just spent about two hours on Facebook and I figured I shouldn't "waste" the entire experience online peering at the photos and profiles of my newly-added friends.

Summary: Facebook is neat, but not as cool as LinkedIn.

How B'Zar

Well KH and I are unfortunately back to our separate ends of the earth after a weekend to remember! We laughed, we cried, it was better than Cats. Oh, and we also got our shop on big time.

On Friday it was off to Charleston where the shopping experience left me so relieved. Apparently I have only to get in my car and drive two hours when I need my fix. Phewf! Big relief.

So King Street/Upper King Street is where it's at. Highlights include Miostile where I got a sicko pair of kelly green jeans and Hampden Clothing where KH got a grey cashmere sweater that is truly a piece of art.

But the best by far was B'Zar. Perhaps I have a newfound fondness for this place because it's owned by a couple from New York? Or maybe it's the fact that the husband played the Shoes video while we were shopping around (hello, inspiration)? It could also be because their dog Roxy holds court in her bed tucked next to the register.

Then again, it could just be that nearly each and every piece of jewelry and clothing for sale was rad to the max. 541 King Street -- get over there the next time you're in town.

Free Car Wash?

Two weekends ago I was in my car and on the road to Target. It was one of those Sundays - I needed just a few hours alone. So I pick up a latte at Earth Fare and just one block away I spy young people holding up "car wash" signs. I figure this is a blessing (no pun intended, but read on to understand why) in disguise because Ruby had been in serious need of a bird poop removal.

So I pull into the parking lot of a church and immediately a group of kids, supervised by one adult, get cracking on the car. They are all wearing the same youth group tshirt, so I figure the car wash is a fund raiser for the group. Great.

Only I quickly find out, after being approached by a girl who was at least 15 years my junior, that actually the purpose of the car wash seems to be to recruit people to a church. No payment necessary, just a series of questions on who I am, where I'm from, what I do, and what church I attend. Yipes.

I gave a $5.00 donation to the charity being promoted off to the side of the car wash, hopped back into the car with suds still remaining, and off to Target I went. I guess this is what it means to be living in the bible belt. Some say I'm losing my NY edge - that I should have seen it coming. To you my dears, I say touche.

Um, I Personally Think That US Americans Love Britney Betch

O M G

I am nearly speechless, my friends. It's been quite a month, wouldn't you say? First Little Miss South Carolina negates all my points I've been working very hard to make about my sweet new home state, then Britney fights with a Jello mold for the "Most Exciting" award at the VMAs...ay dios mio! Well needless to say I really haven't known what to say. Shopping hasn't been a top priority for me this past month and I guess that's why our society is falling into the crapper. Don't worry, America, I'll save you! I was introduced to Village at Sandhill today.

And it's not like I've wiped shopping out of my life entirely, my peeps. Last week ME, AB and I went to Marshall's during our lunch break to buy ME a new purse. People - she hasn't gotten a new handbag since, well, I don't know when but let me paint this little picture for you - she unearthed this over-the-shoulder-and-across-the-body number the other day that was carrying photos of her twins as wee littles. They're 17 now. Granted, this was a big improvement from the money clip she was calling a wallet, but the bag was Hush Puppies. Hul-lo.

So off we go to Marshall's and it was like a kid in a candy store. Everything shiny and sparkley was catching her eye (remember when we were like that? aw...cute, right?). Well Missy Thing picked out two sweet little numbers - AB and I might joke that we made the decision, but she had the eye and made the final call. And even though we advised her that a black bag would suffice, she purchased a black and a brown ("Hello, to match the different shoes") and they are way cute. ~Sigh~My work there was done.

Bloggers Who Are Rad

There are times when the internet gets me so excited I can hardly think straight. Today I have been the lucky recipient of this emotion not once, but twice, in one day. This on top of many other revelations today; shoowee!

The first internet revelation was earlier in the day when I got a message from LinkedIn. For those of you who don't know about this amazing resource, check it out -- it's like Friendster but for business networking.

LinkedIn

Weird that I should reference Friendster, right? At this point I should probably be saying, "it's like MySpace but for business networking." The point is, it's less functional like Friendster, but more effective for your ultimate goal, like MySpace. Then again, maybe it's more effective like an online dating site? Well, I could get caught up in this one all night.

So back to the first time today when I was reminded of why I love the interweb. Right before we moved to SC, I was connected via email to a woman who was looking for places to stay before she officially moved back to California. EJ and I were going to a wedding and needed someone to stay in our apt. and take care of Monkey for a long weekend. Enter this wonderful woman who is nice, open and honest. We briefly shared our stories and wished each other well in our big moves. Since then, we have respectively moved and might I say she is flourishing in her new environs. The connection with LinkedIn is that she recently found me on LinkedIn, we linked in to each other, and I was introduced to her wonderful blog.

People, check this out. First of all, it's called Love Yourself. Secondly, the writing is real and the photography is even more real. I have yet to mention that she's a photographer. Isn't the surfer woman idea excellent?

Tonight I log into blogger.com and see that I have numerous comments from a Viginia Belle. How exciting to find a compadre. I am currently reading a collection of short stories called "Read This and Tell Me What It Says." I was so intrigued by the title, I bought the book. To you, my kind reader, I say, "read this blog and tell me what it says."

Two Car Family

We are now officially a two car, one dog family. We shopped for both of these babies online. Used, my friends, used, but thus far they are treating us fairly well.

Here's my Subarau, Mackenzie (aka Ruby). She likes to shake, rattle and roll.











And here's EJ's truck - it's a stick shift! That's him and JA doing some after-purchase kicking of the tires.











We're very quickly realizing the vehicle, much like the house (yes, we are starting the house hunting process), is a statement you choose to make about who you are. What am I saying to the public? Subaruby Vermont type? Pick-up truck hardcore? It's all too much really.

Meanwhile, here's Monkey in the back of the Subie wondering what other dogs are thinking about her.

Jiffy Lube

Today the air conditioning buggered out in our office at around 3 pm, but I stuck around until 5 pm (me = new kid).

It's 102 degrees F today.

On my way home I decided to get my car's oil changed because Jiffy Lube has a special - $8.00 off for Ladies on Wednesday. Yes, I capitalized the word "ladies."

Did I mention it's 102 degrees F today?

Culture Shock

Culture shock - now here's a term that has made its way into the regular rotation of words, not clothes, that I am using these days. I thought it might be a good time to explain exactly what the shock has been, and how it might be different from what most of you New Yawkuhs expected.

The pace of life is different in SC. It's slower than in NY, yes, but it doesn't mean it's dumber. There are plenty of Republicans but I see just as many W crossed out bumper stickers as I see "Bush 04" and Mitt Romney stickers. And speaking of bumper stickers, they are extremely popular here in Cola. A good Columbian will have the standard Palmetto tree and crescent moon image, the USC/Clemson window sticker, and if you're a woman, a monogram sticker as well.

The lifestyle is different. As I've told many of you already, I've gone running more in the past three months than in the past three years. I've also been doing some swimming and it looks like I might be joining a couple of book clubs soon. Still, we've hung on to a few traditions like Sunday brunch (actually, we usually do Saturday brunch too), and eating out at different restaurants and last night I was out until about 2 am so actually I guess I haven't given up my old lifestyle too much.

What's interesting about culture shock (and I use the term "interesting" in an all-encompassing way, like the way it's used in the workplace as a reaction to an idea/problem/solution) is that it's not a slap in the face. It happens very gradually and is peppered throughout the days and weeks. I glance at a license plate assuming it's New York, but in fact it's Georgia. The blue and red plate isn't Massachusetts, it's Alabama. The man who owns the deli by my office calls all the women who are regulars "Miss Jean" and "Miss Shirley." People look at you rather than past you.

The experience is not as aggressive as the word "shock" implies, but that doesn't make it any less intense.

Discounts in the SC

I did some good, affordable damage this past weekend at Target and Rugged Wearhouse that I simply must share with all you skeptics out there.

Mind you, Rugged Wearhouse is not for the faint of "shopping" heart. I originally learned about this chain of stores from a friendly reader who mentioned she once purchased Paper Denim Cloth jeans here on the cheap. Well sign me up!

The racks are disorganized, the sales people indifferent and stuff is everywhere. I have to admit, even I was a little turned off at first. But after I spotted some Juicy C, Max Studio and the AT Loft on the cheap, I was hooked for a good hour. I ended up with an AT Loft skirt for $14.99, an AT Loft long-sleeved, black-and-white striped boatneck shirt for $9.99 and two Gap or possibly Old Navy tank tops for $2.99 each! Rugged Wearhouse in Columbia is on Forest Drive in the same shopping area as Sam's Club and Hobby Lobby.

Target treated me very right and these I must share with visuals as they are so easy to pull from the website!

Online Summer Sales

Where's a girl to get some good online shopping deals? Well, the women of South Carolina have asked and I shall answer.

Bluefly - I know, I know, I'm always hyping this site and it's always on the pricey side. But this time they are having a sale so I am taking it a step further with recommendations. This Sweet Pea top is tres adorable and seems perfect for summer, as does this BCBGirls white eyelet which is similar to a Calvin Klein shirt I got in MA with KH and I wear all the time. Very spring to summer.







Kennedy & Kate What and who? Have you heard of this site before? Me neither until I Googled one of my favorite brands, Mon Petit Oiseau. Hello! Check out the deal for this light blue tunic top and this stripey skirt. But seriously, is this light blue with butterflies skirt for real? Apparently this is the online shop of a store in Seattle. Fine by me.






JJill I know what you're going to say - this tends to be more for the Eileen Fisher crew. In fact it's owned by Talbots so why don't I just wear a skort and call it a day, right? Wrong. JJill is having a big 'ol sale so there's bound to be something that tickles your fancy. Take for example these Greco-Roman style sandals in champagne. They're only $30! Now these Ankle-strap black sandals are a little more pricey at $80, but they're so unique. Jewelry is the department where JJill seems to really get it (kudos to the jewelry buyer!). I love this open leather bracelet and hey, why not throw in this pearl and leather cord necklace to match?

Ok, I just picked out a full outfit (mixing and matching a few items, but nonetheless all the components of an outfit). Now get shopping!

Shopping with a Bang on 4th of July

There are a couple of things I am determined to accomplish this Summer (both resulting from 4th of July activities) -- standing up on a wakeboard and finding some other excuse to buy fireworks.

Fireworks are legal in South Carolina. This is to say: there are fireworks stores. Where they sell only fireworks. All year 'round. Am I getting through here?

MB and I ended up cruising over to the fireworks store at the end of the day on Wednesday because we realized at the last minute we had nothing to view. The guys really aren't fans of the out and out shows, so whatever Fort Jackson has to offer will have to remain a mystery to me until possibly next year (Fort Jackson is the local army base, it's not some kooky name I've come up with for something relating to my family). So out we go to Jim Casey's Discount Fireworks store.

I'm not really sure how to describe, in words, what this is all about but I shall try. There's a big red and white sign on the door that reads, "NO SMOKING." When you walk in there's a sheriff monitoring traffic (I believe this is for 4th of July only, and not on any given day of business) who makes sure you enter through the enter door and exit through another door. There are two-for-one deals so that two of the options we selected actually morphed into four. But most importantly, there are packages of fireworks selling for $425.

We were shopping next to a mother, father and 3 year-old daughter. In a very motherly tone, the woman asked her child, "do you want to see a bunch of sparkle honey or hear a lot of noise?" The guy behind me on line to pay bought more than $90 in fireworks.

So here is something I purchased yesterday that I just couldn't part with until I shared it with y'all. It's a bang snap chicken.



And best of all - check out the price and the instructions.

Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a very popular dish here in Cola (um, that's slang for Columbia, btw). Just about every restaurant has a chicken salad plate and/or sandwich on its menu. A croissant is my bread of choice for the sammich option. I've been sampling a bunch and thus far my favorite is at Birds on a Wire. Most people prefer the chicken salad at Gourmet Shop, but I think I prefer Adriana's over Gourmet Shop's.

Yep, it's true - it's a posting about chicken salad. But the reality here is that the weather is hot and chicken salad is a nice cool dish. I always wanted to eat good chicken salad, and here I can. Add in a sweet tea and I am hooked.

Ok well if that riventing report didn't make you want to eat, my colleague's blog, eating in, definitely will. Are those amazing photos of food or what?!

New Job Rules

Well, I started a new job yesterday and so far it seems swell (hello casual Fridays, how I have missed you). Nonetheless, here are some aspects of working in this town that have me a wee bit off-kilter:

• Driving to get lunch
• Driving to and from work
• The heat! The car, he doesn't do so well in the heat. It's a Subaru Outback, which as we all know is made for the Vermont climate.
  

Ok, there's one good thing about driving to and from work -- shoes! I can occasionally wear heels to work and it's not the end of my feet. Sweet!

I've been doing an informal poll of people I meet who are transplants. "How long did it take you to adjust to South Carolina?" Thus far I've heard one year from three different people.

Oops I Did It Again

Today I investigated Five Points for an hour by foot. Armed with a sweet tea from The Gourmet Shop I strolled around and was able to hit a few places. Here's the Five Points website which I am happy to report has been redone since I last checked it about a month ago.

Oops! is a store that sells catalog clothing at a discount. A couple of years ago I got a great Citizens of Humanity jean jacket there which is still very much in the rotation. Today I got a couple of the long sleeved slim fit tees from JCrew for $9.99 each which are magical, as well as a Gap tank for $7.99. I know many of you New Yorkers were wondering how I'd get my fix, well this place is the answer!

There are also a couple of used/vintage clothing shops in the area which are neat, though nothing today worked out for me -- Revente and Sid and Nancy.

Finally, the used bookstore Dr. Books is totally charming. I got a book of short stories, Best of the South, (hello, gotta get into it!) as well as The Life of Pi which I have been meaning to read.


Oh, I had also wanted to check out the used outdoor gear store for a possible gift for my husband, but it's closed on Monday's so I'll probably pop over there tomorrow. That statement is a test to see if he ever reads this!

And speaking of ever reading this, I've noticed that my weekly visits have gone down since I moved to Columbia. Folks, I'm still here. Even though the lifestyle has and will likely continue to change, I'm still the same old Caroline so keep reading and I will keep blogging. Promise.

Short Shorts and Furniture Shopping

Short shorts - that's what's popular here in the SC. At first I was horrified; only a few skinny minis can pull this look off, yet everyone from age 10 to age 35 is wearing shorty shorts here. Well, since I've officially been through my week-long 90+ degree weather I am a little more forgiving of the trend. Hello - it's hot!

So the new obsession is furniture shopping. Accent tables, wall sconces - this is now my vocab, people. I've been to just about every furniture store in town at least once trying to absorb the difference in look, price, etc. Most stores here are what is called "traditional" when what I prefer is called "contemporary;" still, I trudge on, carrying my notebook in hand and scribbling notes about length, width, height and price. So far, our (yes, our - my husband is full on into this furniture shopping too. If you have a mate totally disinterested in the decor of your interior, consider yourself lucky) favorite store is Strobler because you can totally customize a couch - legs, upholstery, accent pillows - for the same price as buying it off the floor. Wednesday is 20% off everything in the store so I am impatiently counting the days until I can go back. Whit Ash has some seriously aggressive sales people, but I still kind of like a bookshelf and a coffee table/end table set over there too.

It all kind of gives me agita after a while as there are really endless possible combinations of end tables, rugs, lamps and chairs. Still, I am enjoying strolling into a furniture shop during the business day, meeting a friend for lunch and then blogging about it all in the late afternoon. Very lady of leisure of me, n'est ce pas? Don't worry, it won't last too long.

First Report From Down South

Friends! I am here in South Carolina and I promise I haven't forgotten about you. It's been tough getting internet access as we are not yet connected in the apartment. In order to report back from the fields I must seek out free wi-fi, which I have done here at Panera Bread.

On the shopping front: after I am done here at PB I will be making my third trip to Target in four days. Thank goodness for this megastore! Hangers, Runners, Clorox, the Patrick Robinson shirts that weren't available in NYC in my size -- I've gotten it all. I had been worried that with Target as the only extremely convenient and inexpensive store in the area, every woman would be sporting Target gear. Well, sure enough the worry was confirmed on day two of being here. At the first place my husband and I went for breakfast - The Gourmet Shop - the woman behind the register commented on my Tshirt (from Target) and mentioned she had the same one. Oh sigh, looks like I'm going to have to pull the "only available in NY" pieces out of their boxes to maintain a unique look. Should I say boxes? Nay, I've unpacked most everything and put it into my...(drumroll please)....walk-in closet! That's right, that's just one of the perks of our new apartment.

Besides Target I have been adjusting to the pace (much slower), the climate (much hotter - 90 today) and the culture (I was talking on my cellphone earlier and everyone was looking at me; realized I was shouting).

People are nice - service people and younger folks call me "Ma'am," the atmo is laid back and the "suburbs" are filled with huge old Magnolia and other beautiful trees. There are tons of squirrels, so Monkey has a field day every time we go for a walk.

I'll check in with y'all later, for now I'm going to finish my sweet tea.

Sample Sales This Week

You should check these out:

Tibi and Hollywould - May 16-18 at 336 West 37th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues on the 15th floor

Delman Shoes - I believe this is also between May 16-18 at the Metropolitan Pavilion (enter on 19th Street)

Victoria Keen - I love this funky designer! Sale is from May 17-31 in her store on Lafayette between Bleecker and Bond Streets.

Super Size Me

I love this too much not to share it. Remember my posting about Forever 21? It's probably the only thing I've written thus far that's stirred up some controversy. Well check out the latest from the NYTimes > "Faster Fashion, Cheaper Chic."

Button Button, Who's Got the Button?

We all do, apparently. Buttons are hot right now. Remember how Reminisence, Canal Jean Co., Unique and Antique Boutique used to give away buttons and we in turn used to collect them and pin them on the straps of our book bags?

That was the 80s and as we all know, the 80s are back, baby. Tonight I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of FRESH CROP - the exhibit of final projects of the SVA graduates of the MFA Design Department. I will blog more about the hands-down coolest concept there, but tonight I just need to share the trend spotted: the button.

A couple of graduates had made buttons part of the giveaways presented in their exhibit. Additionally, there were two buttons created to represent the exhibit itself.

Interestingly, two weeks ago at work we launched a new employee newsletter and we produced a button to go along with the inaugural issue.

I guess the trend will officially be big when the likes of Starbucks and GAP/Banana/Old Navy pick it up (consider that one on the house, big brands).

Internet Museum

Just as I have been able to put my shopping addiction to good use creatively (um, hello, this blog), my friend and former manager has - among MANY other things - been able to put the inordinate amount of Internet industry swag to good creative use. I introduce you to The Internet Museum.