Hot Country Nights

Country music has totally been my go-to listening choice in the summertime especially. I have always been fond of twangy tunes (Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s In Love With The Boy” started it all back in the early 1990’s), but the warmer weather and longer days always seem to enhance the good ol’ melodies from George and Keith (Strait and Urban, that is). When Q104 announced their “Hot Country Nights” concert series was returning yet again this summer, I dusted off my cowboy boots and geared up for some sing-along-worthy tunes, cold beer, and warm Thursday nights. Best of all? The concerts are free, down at the main stage at Power and Light (cold brewskis available for separate purchase, of course). And I haven’t been disappointed yet.
 

While I longed for Eric Church to make a return appearance (I missed him last summer but managed to see him on a separate occasion), his notoriety has allowed him to instead headline a concert with patrons who willingly pay to get in. However, the line-up so far has provided entertaining and memorable nights: Clay Walker, Steel Magnolia, Chris Young, and The Band Perry were all stellar performances. The Band Perry definitely brought in the most fans, and since crowds of 12,500 people packed in a not-quite-big-enough space in 97 degree weather tend to give me anxiety, I have to say it wasn’t my fav of the shows so far. I saw at least one poor girl pass out from the heat and I’d guess no one in attendance had truly worn enough deodorant to be thisclose to the person next to them. They sounded fabulous though (I sat right inside the doors of McFadden’s with a tall cold beverage and thoroughly enjoyed the tunes). I missed out on Gloriana and The Randy Rogers Band, but there are still a few more that I plan on checking out.

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{My boots in action}

{The crowd packed in at The Band Perry}

Totally Tory

I’ve been wild about Tory Burch since I first purchased a pair of white patent Miller flats several years ago. (These are sandals with her "two T's" logo cut out on the top, and always kind of wanted to lay out in the sun with them on so I could have the Tory logo tanned on my foot.) While shoes and handbags are the extent of my current collection (accessorizing pieces are about all this teacher can afford at the moment), I love love love the bold patterns and bright colors of her dresses and blouses and her equestrian-inspired blazers and boots. While I would love to pick up this or any one of these items to mix into my back-to-school-wardrobe, I figure I better save my pennies for an item I can get plenty of uses out of. (This is typically how I justify my “big purchase” items.) These Julianne wedges would be perfect for both school and play. I’m totally loving the buttery-tan color for fall, and as I run my wardrobe through my head, yes, yes, these shoes would compliment absolutely all my clothes! While I’m keeping my fingers crossed that these beautiful shoes will go on sale soon (or miraculously show up on Gilt), I’m thinking I may have to snap them up for my one big fall splurge.

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{Lovely, lovely shoe...}

Scent-sational

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{How can these ads not make you smile?}

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I would have to say that my all-time favorite smell is a whiff of just-cut pasture grass out at my parents’ house. Or… Biolage shampoo. Or… Gain Fresh Apples laundry detergent. Okay, no; my ultimate fav is the fresh grass. It reminds me directly of everything my childhood summers entailed: sunny days outside (there was no Nintendo at our house); picking vegetables in the mornings; spraying the hose on the trampoline; picking wildflowers; playing (which ended up as mostly fighting) with my brother down by the treehouse. When I’m home in the summertime, that fresh, green scent always takes me back.

Perhaps this somewhat “rural” upbringing inspired in me my love of fresh floral fragrances when it comes to what I want to smell like. My all-time favorite perfume of the moment is IF by Apothia. I discovered it a few years ago when Standard Style used to carry the brand. To my chagrin, they have since ceased to stock the lovely scent, but I’ve had luck finding it here. It’s very light with white floral tones. Another fav also available on this site is Kai. I adore the lilac-y fresh burst of the lotion and body butter. However, my day-to-day signature scent is Clinique Happy. I know, I know; it’s kind of a “starter” perfume for most, but I’ve worn it since middle school and will still randomly get compliments on how yummy I smell (sometimes welcome flattery; sometimes I wish the creepster at the bar would back off). The sleek, minimalist design of the bottle and the bright orange-colored packaging can always make me smile. I’ve dabbled in the likes of Happy Heart and Happy in Bloom, but always seem to go back to the original. What can I say? I guess it just makes me happy.

Easy Reader

I finally had a chance to make it to the library. As an English teacher, it’s kind of a prerequisite that I actually must enjoy reading for pleasure, and hitting the public library has been on my summer to-do list. During the school year, I am usually swamped with the required “classics” (a.k.a. books loaded with symbolism and generally loathed by the high school population that is being forced to read them), plus then grading the novel packets and literary analysis papers that correspond with said “classics.” So in the summer, I take advantage of my free time and indulge by perusing the easy stuff—light, entertaining reads that I can usually breeze through in a day or two. Now, these types of reads are typically best enjoyed when I’m perched by the pool soaking up some rays, but lately it has just been too hot to even venture outside for extended periods of time. So, I decided to try out the local (and air-conditioned) library right down the road from my house.

While somewhat small, the Cedar Roe Library provided several new tomes for me to check out. I hit the YA section (trying to find some recommendations for the male population of my students who really aren't into reading), but the best discovery came while browsing through the adult fiction stacks. Schooled, by Anisha Lakhani, was a lighthearted and amusing read, especially for a high school teacher. Not only did it include several of elements that rank high on my list of entertainment-value (a New York City setting and lots of fashion descriptions), but it took the reader through the challenging world of an unsuspecting and ill-equipped teacher at a prestigious prep school on the Upper East Side. While I could relate to many of the demanding and stressful situations the teacher encountered, it was the witty writing and detailed scenes that made me fly through the pages (and made me miss the acclaimed series Gossip Girl even more). Definitely a new fav on my book list!

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{I heart summer reads!}

Extra Yummy

Last week, I had the opportunity to dine at the oh-so-delish Extra Virgin, Michael Smith's small plate restaurant located right next to his namesake eatery downtown in the Crossroads District. And I pretty much need to go back and try everything we didn't order, because everything was delectable! Between my friend and I, we split the Oyster Mushrooms, the Sautéed Tiger Shrimp (served skewered over pine needles), the Chickpea Fries (to die for! Fried hummus? Genius!), the Wood Fired Ribeye with red onions and pistachios, and two servings of the summery Striped Sea Bass Ceviche. Yes, that's right; we had to order a second helping of the tender fish, fresh melons and green onions with fried plantains because one simply wasn't enough. The waiter thought we were crazy (and probably a little fat...his direct quote was "Oh, you must be hungry!"), but we couldn't help ourselves. This is how summer eating was meant to be—light, fresh, and a little taste of everything.

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{Cool atmosphere and tasty tapas}

{View of the patio}

Think Pink

Welcome to The Pink Polkadot! This site is an outlet for creativity, design, fashion, anything I'm thinking or doing at the moment (and it won't all be pink). However, to get started, I figured I'd showcase a few of my favorite things *pink*.

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{Pretty and refreshing...I prefer this to plain ol' lemonade any day!}

{Positively pink peonies}

{Posey-colored balloons are always a hit on my birthday}

{A pink cupcake always trumps a not-pink cupcake}

{OPI in Bubblebath...my go-to shade for manis}