{ image found The Glitter Guide, design by Be True Designs }

January 12th-19th Twist will be unveiling their new designs at the Atlanta Market! Here is a sneak peak of some of the blank stock designs I have done! My favorite is the wedding shoe shot!

Here's a few shots at the 'Second Story' space. We're opening our doors tomorrow for a bridal workshop, should be fun! You can see a preview of my samples, they look great!

Meet one of my new suites, Diane. Below is the inspiration and my sketches. Check back tomorrow as I reveal the full Diane Wedding Invitation Suite!
PS- The weekend was great! Got our photoshoot done and I can't wait to start looking through the pics and picking out my favorites to show you. Got to visit our dear friends Mel + Brad and we went to our favorite restaurant overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway on Saturday. Sunday we went kayaking, which was a blast! On the way home yesterday we stopped at Ikea in Atlanta (favorite!) and then stopped at my friend's Sara's place for a visit in Chattanooga...We didn't get home until 10 p.m. and went straight to bed! BUT the mini vacation was definitely worth the long trip, good to see friends and our ole stompin grounds.

-e.n.h

Pretty interesting week. Nothing too noticeable...oh well except my company is not doing so hot and because of that lay offs have been abound. Great friends who have put their blood, sweat and tears into this company are now gone and I am still here. I will miss them dearly and feel conflicted because I don't know how deserving I am to still have this job. And with that point, I really don't know how long I will be "still here", but right now that's where I am.

So with the thought of my unknown future looming I have made a big push to get be true designs up and running hard core. We are officially a business. Have all the paperwork and lack of money in the bank to prove it! I have been talking extensively to my business guru's in Jacksonville (aka Mel + B-Rad) for ideas, thoughts, advice. I have a clear plan in my head, its just a matter of getting that plan executed with money and time.

Some things that are changing or being newly formed is my new blog. I will unveil it next month to you, but I have already planned to have DAILY (you read that right) daily posts on all sorts of items: life events, my designs, other designs, design inspirations, growing the business, random musings...etc. Also in the works is launching an online store. So clients from all over can purchase already designed products OR contact me to create something unique!

We are going to Jacksonville next week to visit the business guru's, not for business, but for fun b/c we love them. But while we are there in the midst of catching up with our old friends, kayaking in the intercoastal and eating dinners at the beach I plan to have a photo shoot of some of my work. My brand is going to change and I feel this is what I need to make that sophisticated and "real business" look. Oh and I'll have 2 amazing photogs around me, so why not!

So that's your update. I can't wait to have everything that I'm planning to come into fruition and to launch it all (should be around April 1st!).

Besides work consuming my life, there isn't too much else going on. Plan to spend another weekend doing nothing except cleaning, watching UT bball, and maybe if the weather gets warmer go to the park again (Jackson definitely has cabin fever!).

I hope you have a fab weekend!
-e.n.h.

So after much debate and thought, looks like I'm giving up sweets for the next 40 days...Lord help me! It was between sweets or cokes...and I try not to drink too many of those anyways so the sweets thing might be more of a sacrifice. Bye bye yummy king cake still in our fridge, bye bye road trip blow pops, bye bye McAlisters cookies, bye bye Vanilla Ice cream cups after dinner.
This is definitely going to suck.

This weekend was perfection. It was jam packed with so much laziness it was ridiculous. B and I stayed in Friday night because of the nasty winter storm, watched a rental and went to bed early. Saturday afternoon we wanted to veture out and we went to the Creamery in Fountain City. Its a delicious diner atmosphere with the yummiest sandwiches and milkshakes ever! B and I had a great lunch and some good quality time as the snow fell all day! Saturday night was Star Trek (I know I know...but it was B's turn for a movie pick from netflix), dinner and some yummy wine (like we needed to relax anymore!)



Sunday our sunday school and church service was cancelled so we slept in and then got up and went to a TN vs. bball game! Thankfully they won, so it was a great afternoon. Then I did a P90X workout with B. Not looking forward to how sore I am going to be, but glad I did it!



So with that being said I'm stepping up my blogging game and going to write out some of the eats I'm making this week for "Menu Monday":



Monday - Turkey Meatballs with Quick And Spicy Tomato Sauce and Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Tuesday - Red Beans and Rice (IF I can get a ham bone from honey baked ham by then!)

Wednesday - Spicy Shredded Beef

Thursday - Grilled Chicken on Salad

Friday - Corn Flake Chicken Nuggets + Baked Fries



On the deck for this week:

Potential trip to Atlanta for work meeting

Working out with more P90X!

500 Days of Summer movie on Friday night in

My Christmas massage, mani + pedi on Saturday morning!!

UT Alumni tailgate and bball game Saturday afternoon

Superbowl Party @ B's coworkers house...and I STILL have not officially decided who I am rooting for.



The back story is this: I was born in New Orleans, as was my dad. So I was born and raised a Saints fan. I remember wearing a black Saints sweatshirt to middle school a lot and thinking I was so cool....someone should have told me the 'Aints we'ren't all that back then. I never really had any other team I cared about until I went to college. I always, always, always liked Peyton Manning and b/c of that the Colts have grown into my team. I know them all and have always rooted for them. Peyton and his boys even helped me to my Fantasy Football victory this year. So there is my dilemma. Root for the team I've always known or the team I'll always love....hmmm, it might be a game time decision.

(BTW - my bff is going to the game with her cajun husband and friends...I won't even tell you how much her tix cost...Whatever you think it is, double it! ha!)



Have a great week!

-e.n.h.

Isn't life great? One second you think you got it all figured out and then the next, God giggles and throws you for a loop! So since my last post I have had a mixture of emotions regarding a HUGE factor in my life....Huge factor that is financially and emotionally tied to me.

Without being too obvious, I know that I mentioned earlier that a certain someone left my work life to go on her own venture. I in no way meant to sound upset with her. I think jealousy is the word. I hope she does amazing things (b/c I know she has and will) with her own business. I was just overwhelmed by the thought of her guidence, support + friendship going along with her...so that took me to last week. Last week I thought it all out and prayed, and prayed...our poor Sunday school class barely knows us, and I feel like all I ever do is complain! And then I saw this message on a blog I read:

"…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:11b (NIV)

Paul learned that the fruit of contentment is developed when we are thankful for what God has provided whether we like it or not. That's because peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God and our attitude toward His provision in the midst of our stress. By expressing gratitude, Paul experienced richness of being, not having.

I realize you may be in a hard place right now and you're longing for freedom. Maybe you're in a job that feels like a dead end; perhaps you have two of them! It may be that you live in a space too small for your family and you hate it. You're not where you planned or hoped to be and you certainly don't like it.The truth is, we don't have to like where we are or what we have, but if we will choose to thank God for His provisions regardless of our feelings toward them, we'll experience the same contentment Paul encountered.

We must understand that being thankful doesn't mean that God will eventually remove us from our situation. He may; He may not. Rather, being appreciative sets us free from the desire to have and lets us rest in the riches of contentment. And when we reach a place of contentment, we don't need earthly riches galore. God becomes our greatest treasure. In Him, we have everything we need.

So I took that as a sign to be thankful for the situation I am in because for whatever reason, God wants me to be here. And to be thankful, but pray for God's guidence and support...to be thankful for what I have learned and gained at this point in life.

BUT, would it be wrong if another opportunity presents itself, to take it?? :)

Some other musings:
- Sweetheats has changed their recipe for the Conversation Hearts for Valentine's Day...and I am pissed. Why don't you go ahead and declare it "Gross Candy Flavors, that only look like the delicious candy hearts you used to enjoy" Day. Seriously, couldn't they have slowly changed one flavor at a time? Why take away the only thing I really liked to eat at Valentine's Day?

-Got my hair cut today...trying for a Mandy Moore look, with bangs. I already am annoyed by them!

-My mom was in the hospital last week b/c they thought she could have a stroke. She did have 3 TIA's, but everything else looked ok and she's at home now vegging it up in her pjs (hopefully!). My favorite part of talking to her on the phone last week, was when she claimed the nurses spiked her water with bourbon and honey. I say, whatever works!

-B went to a gun class last Saturday, he's getting a gun and needed to take a class to get certified or whatever. Our friend Joe, who I lovingly refer to as our "personal gun dealer" is hooking him up with something. Not that we need anything, but B wants something for protection...Over Christmas Eve B took a nap in his parents home while I went to get groceried before the stores closed. When I came home I had more than one load. I was trying to be quiet and gently set my groceries down on the counter. On my second trip I come in the door to find B in his boxers holding a bowflex weight handle bar over his head. I didn't think of it until later, when I said "did you think I was breaking in?" And sure enough, that was his defense. Too bad he looked like he was sleep walking! Looks like a gun, might be a little more threatening.

-B and I went to a concert on Friday night. We instantly realized 2 things:
1) We are old; it was a small concert hall and we had standing room only. Only into 2 songs we were both giving dirty looks to the people who were smart and got their early to get actual tables/seats.
2) We are old; the concert lasted til midnight, and you'd have thought we had never stayed up that late in our lives! We were so tired!!!

{ here's a pic of one of the bridges downtown on Thursday}

No plans for the weekend, except to run a few errands and workout...How great is that?
Hoping you stay warm wherever you are!

e.n.h.

So B and I are going on another round the world adventure...and when I mean an adventure I mean we're driving straight down the interstate for 6 hours to Memphis for probably a less than 24 hour visit...Let me explain: B's company is based in Memphis, Millington to be exact. And this weekend is their company Christmas Dinner/Party. I'm excited to see everyone again and to get to eat at Texas de Brazil in downtown Memphis on Saturday night. What I am not excited about is driving, AGAIN, to Memphis on Saturday morning and then turning around and coming back Sunday morning/afternoon...We've decided to leave Saturday morning because B has been non stop this week with work. I've pretty much only seen him maybe 3 total hours the entire week. He's been leaving for work at 7ish (when I'm asleep) working until 1-3 a.m. (when I'm asleep) every night. And he's gotta work a little longer today too, to hopefully finish all this crazy work! Since I'm the driver I voted to just wake up early and head out...we'll see how it pans out.

I love driving and love road trips, but lately I feel as though I'm over it. Could be the fact that every time we get about 50-75 miles outside of Nashville we get stuck in some kind of traffic jam. Last week, no lie, we were sitting on the interstate for over an hour. Sitting. Just sitting in our car...as it was parked...on the interstate. Some people in front of us got out for a smoke break...other got out to stretch their legs...but we just sat. That is until we (and I mean B) had enough and made me turn around and we GPS'd our way through some backwoods country to get around it...which in the end didn't really save us any time, since we got back on the interstate and saw trucks we were sitting next to earlier, but at least it made us feel better b/c we were moving.

Anyhow, that's they plan for this weekend. Thankfully its one of our last trips for awhile (besides Christmas)...we've pretty much told all of our friends that we're not moving for awhile, and if they want to see us, they'll have to make the trip! Not us! ha!

Here's hoping you have a great weekend!
e.n.h.

PS- I took Jackson to the vet yesterday and was completely embarrassed and cracking up...He had to get his shots for the year plus the dreaded "poop" test and heart worm test. Well the vet did the "poop" test first and I swear to you, Jackson looked like a cartoon. His 4 legs stretched out like he was on ice, his claws were clinging to the steel table and the yelps he made could probably be heard a mile down the street...he then proceeded to try to wiggle his way off the table all the while peeing in fear. Well the vet showed some sympathy ( I mean they stuck something up his booty for crying out loud!) That is until he did this same routine for all of his 4 shots + getting his blood drawn!!! By the time they were done, the vet and the tech were making fun of him. The tech even said "We have 3 lb Chihuahuas that handle this stuff better"...the funniest part was that Jackson hid under the chairs in the room while the tech was in the room when we waited for the test results...as soon as she left he would come out...So looks like we've raised a baby.

1. Visit with friends - We have some friends that are already home (aka Oak Ridge) for Thanksgiving and some that are driving through on their way to home this week (aka Columbia,SC), so we're hoping to get to have dinner/hang out a lil with them before everyone goes on their merry way.

2. Drive to Memphis - I think we're set. I went to the pet store Sunday and loaded up on Puppy pills to hopefully knock Jackson out while we're on our way. He hasn't been in the car this long, since we moved from Memphis to Knoxville. I hope now that we know he gets car sick/anxiety we can keep him calm/passed out the whole trip! And with B's ankle in a boot and trying to stop it from swelling, looks like I'll be driving the whole 6 hours...yuck!

3. Sleep in and Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade - Although I'm never really one to care about it, it sort of is a tradition to have it in the background during the Thanksgiving morning. I would have been glued to the set anxiously awaiting to see the Glee cast perform, but since they're not going to, looks like background noise you'll be!

4. Eat lots of Turkey, less mashed potatoes! - I got off my "diet" this past weekend for our last home tailgate, so I need to make sure I try to focus on not over eating this week! Of course I picked the hardest week to do that! Also need to pick up on my half marathon training. So far its been sparse. I just need to get into the habit!

5. Go see the Blind Side - I hear its the best movie. I have not heard one single negative thing from anyone who's seen it or from the media. Sounds like something to do Thanksgiving afternoon!

6. Join the ranks of the crazy's and wake up early to shop Black Friday - Normally I am waking up early to go to the store to work and wait for all the crazy's to show up. Sadly, I will be joining them this year. B and I plan to get up early to shop for ourselves (isn't that awful!). He needs a new watch and I need a jacket to keep me warm in the mountains of TN...I am still going to go visit my hometown store to help out at 8, but if most stores open at 5, that leaves us 3 hours of shopping!!!! Cant believe I'm going to be one of those people!

7. Work at the Collierville store - Its my favorite time of the year and the day after thanksgiving is by far my favorite day to work in retail. I think its just how crazy busy everyone is, but everyone is generally happy and hopped up on turkey! It usually flys by too!

8. Watch some Auburn football! - After working at the store I'm headed home to watch my Auburn Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson tide...We have nothing to lose, and they're undefeated. I would love love love it, if the Tigers could pull off the upset. And I really think we have the talent and spirit to do so. BUT we'll see! War Eagle!

9. Visit with family! My cousin, her husband and her son are coming to my parents to watch football and eat some Memphis BBQ (we're getting 3 different kinds just to have a sampling!). It will be good to see them and hang out with the rents too!

10. Rockettes- B's parents are taking us to go see the "Girls who kick the air" (as I like to call them). I'm really excited...more for the fact that we were going to go see the show in Nashville with friends next week, but decided it was too expensive. So this will be a nice treat!

11. Drive back to Knoxville - by far the worst part of the week! Here's hoping we can get out of town early enough to get home before dark. We always have a tendency to leave late and get home late which screws us up for the next week!

Can you believe its already Thanksgiving???? Crazy! That means Christmas is right around the corner!

Hope you have a great one! (Be sure to eat those extra mashed potatoes for me!)
-e.n.h

Been crazy busy since my last Jamaican post which was, what like a month ago? Jeez,I'm a slacker!
Ok here's the rundown:
-Jamaica was awesome, way to short and my tan is already gone. :(

-After the Jamaican week I flew to Baton Rouge to visit one of my BFF's Emily for the weekend and to go to the Auburn/LSU game (yuck!). She has a new house, a new job and a new husband. And they are all great! So glad I got to visit, besides the actual game I had a blast. All the girls are old married people now, and we live in 4 different states ( Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina + Tennessee---can I get a shout out for the south! whoop whoop!) Its really funny because this past year we've seen each other almost every other month with weddings, showers, bach. parties and such so hopefully we can keep that tradition alive and see each other more than once a year from now on!

-When I got back it was the 4th anniversary of my 25th birthday...B got me flowers and took me to a delicious Italian dinner and when we got home I opened my bday present: Season 1 of True Blood. We just finished the whole season yesterday and I think its safe to say we're both hooked! What is it with vampires these days? I'm a total groopy!

-That next Saturday was a rainy game day, but with our yummy catered BBQ and our tent rigging it turned out to be a great night with both Auburn and TN winning!

-Next week I went to Atlanta for a meeting and back...6 hours of driving is no fun. Especially when you stick a stressful meeting in the middle of it!

- Went to a Vols bball game with B. He proceeded to inhale a hot dog the size of his arm. They won, and it was a nice middle of the week break!

-Went to Nashville to host a Welcome Back to Mox and Donna (the lucky Jamaican wedding couple). Had a great time, the food and company were awesome! The highlights were when me, B, Mox and Donna were picked up in an 1998 limo to drive us to the party...prom 2009!!! Unfortunately the sun roof did not open so we didn't get to have as much prom fun as we wanted! But still fun. Then once we got home after the party, B and Mox decided to play "chase Jackson" and spent at least 45 mins falling all over them self's as Jackson owned them with his quick speed. It was hilarious. Poor Bobby landed on his face a couple times and totally stained up his clothes...But they did catch him once, and it was a mighty victory!

-The following week my rent's came for a visit. We had a great time hanging out especially on Saturday and watch fball (even though neither Haines' teams won) and eat some Tbones! They just left yesterday, but I'll get to see them next week for Thanksgiving!

- Oh, I almost forgot!!! B busted his ankle playing bball last week. So bad I had to take him to the doctor and he's getting an MRI today. Its not broken, but torn ligaments and maybe some bone chips floating around. Might even have to have surgery. Poor guy, I think he is more pissed off about the whole thing (since he's so high-adventure) than anything. It will get better B!!!

And I think that catches us up. For the rest of the week:
- Going to see New moon Friday morning at 12:04 am! And I am soooo excited!!
- Fball on Saturday, its the last TN home game so our last tailgating experience for the year.
- Then there's Thanksgiving in Memphis...super pumped about all the good food. Traditional Thanksgiving on Thursday, then Memphis BBQ on Friday...I plan to splurge a lil even though I'm on a diet (thanks C-line! Lost 4 lbs so far!).

Hopefully I'll be back before another month rolls by!
-E

I will be here: and it is well needed, and I think well deserved!!! B and I haven't taken a vacation since last August. So over a year since a vacation. AND keep in mind, we also moved away from Jacksonville and the beach this year too, so really, no beach...no warm water to float in, no sand between my toes while I read smut, no smells of sun tan lotions (and aloe after!), no real vacation to relax and do absolutely nothing...I miss it, and I am so excited to be going to Jamaica in one week. We're going for a friends wedding, which makes it even more fun since friends will be there. AND its also an all inclusive resort so I'll be sure to take advantage of a daquari or two...or seven! ha! And the food too! Last time B and I went to an all inclusive the food was amazing and we were fortunate enough to get to try every restaurant on the resort. But with that came bad tummy aches for the both of us. So I'll be sure to stock up on the pepto for this trip! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait....no really, can we go now?? :)

So we had a fabulous time in Auburn this past weekend! I got to hang out with my BFF's + we pulled out the win! There was a wee lil bit of rain....and when I said a wee lil bit, I mean the entire earth's supply of water was dumped onto Auburn, about 20 mins before the game was to start. Lucky for us (well maybe lucky) we were running late and snacking on some tailgate bar-b-q leftovers when it started (you can tell where our priorities were!). So we hung out in my car until the rain slowed down, picked up the boys and hauled our butts to the game before it eventually started. Here's a pic from the night before at the supper club:
Caroline - Heather - Emily - me! Oh and PS I am NOT that short, actually we're all about the same height, but after we trucked it down from our hotel to downtown my feet were burning in my wedges so I changed to flats, and thus became the 'short big busted one' of our group!

We're going here { Samford Hall....aka Auburn University }:
We're going to be staying here { Heart o Auburn } used to be able to be rented for the hour for a suite with a red heart shaped jacuzzi...but its been upgraded since then...hopefully!


I'm dying to eat here { Niffer's in Auburn } the best corn nuggets, burgers and fishbowl you can find! (fishbowl = a fish bowl filled with many potent cocktails and comes with many straws to share)
Plan to partake in this { Tiger Walk } where you line up as the players/coaches walk down to the stadium, a very cool tradition that ALWAYS gives me goose bumps!
And the best part is we're going to be here { Jordan-Hare Stadium } as we watch my Tigers take on West Virginia. It's a night game, and I am pumped!